DAMAGED BANANAS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 54

DAMAGED BANANAS.

CONFERENCE IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, August 20. Tn connection with the loss of the Maui Pomare’s banana cargo a conference was held this morning on board the vessel between the Government representative (Mr S. J. Smith), the secretary to the Cook Islands Department, the shipping agents, and representatives of the shippers at which the questions of insurance and compensation were discussed When the vessel was approaching halfway between Apia and New Zen'aml the Trouble developed, and the ter. Venture in the insulated hold commenced t<- rise, and the fruit contained in the bottom portion began to ferment. Everything possible was done to prevent the trouble spreading It was discovered that brine pumps used to maintain the even tempeiature of the hold were not working properly Endeavours were made to make them function without result, and as the whole cargo in that particular part of the ship was rotting it was decided to dump - it into the sea near Sunday Island. Professor MacMillan Brown, Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, who returned by the Maui Pomare from the islands, alleged that the vessel’s machinery would have to be looked after more carefully, as in his opinion too many defects had been revealed. He said that the Maui Pomare should be overhauled every time she had finished a round trip. Professor Brown also said he had been told by Professor Scott, who was formerly head of the engineering school at Canterbury- College, that he did not believe in the Diesel type of engine in the motor ship. It went out of order too readily. Discussing Professor Brown’a statements, Mr S. J. Smith, secretary to the 'ook Islands Department, refuted the allegations that the Maui Pomare’s engines were unsatisfactory, and pointed out that the vessel made the journey from Southampton to New Zealand on schedule throughout. Between Niue and Auck'and on this trip a speed of' 11.5 knots had been maintained. Delays on her stand trips have been of infrequent occurrence, and these had been due to southerly weather. Regarding the' statements concerning the class of engines installed, Mr Smith said that the Government's policy had been fully endorsed bv a report recently issued by Lloyds. “Professor Brown is not in a position to state the actual 'ause of the deterioration of the fruit cargo,” said Mr Smith. “ This, it is >elieved. is due to several contributory causes which are being most fully investigated.” INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF ' BANANAS. AUCKLAND, August 21. The inquiry into the loss of the cargo of bananas carried from the Islands by the Government motor ship Maiii Pomare was virtually concluded late this afternoon. To-night a further test of the engines, particularly the refrigerating apparatus, was conducted, and the results will be co-ordinated to-morrow, with the other information gleaned by the investigators in the past two days. Since the ship has been in port the refrigerating machinery has been kept running, it is stated, in a completely satisfactory manner, the temperature of the ’hold being maintained at a level well ■■ below that required for the effective storage of the fruit. Mr ’S. J. Smith, secretary of the Cook Islands Department, left for Wellington by the limited express.this evening.