THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10859, 31 December 1906, Page 4

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

GREAT FUTURE FOR AUCKLAND

PROVINCE. '

If the present hopes are realised- (says the Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Herald) New" Zealand by-aiid-bye will be deriving spine revenue from fruit m the world's markets. Mr Jacques, the Government's fruit-canning expert, is not relaxing his efforts to induce growers to plant suitable v varieties of trees, and he also igoes on a mission of practical instruction. He has a stall m the agricultural court at the Exhibition^ and there he gives demonstrations of the art of "packing" fruit- and vegetables. Last week he commenced a series of demonstrations, opening with illustrations of the best methods of preserving peas and gooseberries. To-morrow he intends returning to Christchurch to complete the equipment of his Btall. A can-making plant will be set m operation, and thus the whole business of tinning fruit will be shown. Referring to the prospects of the industry, Mr Jacques stated that the proposed co-operative -factory at Auckland had fallen through for the present. He understood that the vendors had withdrawn their offer, but better things wer^ hoped for next season. The fruit crop 'm Central O^tago was very short, and'conequently the factory at Roxburgh had closed down. In fact, (generally speaking, added the expert, m most districts there would be no pig movement made m the canning industry until sufficient quantities of suitable varieties of fruit were available. These were being propagated, and every season now would see more rapid strides made. Large areas bad been planted m various parts of New Zealand, but, of course, the indm^ry would take a little time to develop.' As soon as these iruits were procurable m adequate quantity the English market would be tackled. From reports which be had received from Eastcheap and elsewhere, h& gathered that there was iui enormous field waititig for the development of the canning enterprise. He believed that if the producers turned out a fine article they could ship a million cases a year to Eastcheap alone. Mentioning that a syndicate had been formed m Hokiauga to giow peaches for cunning purposes, Mr Jacques said- that district was gohxj to do a big business m fruit. He considered that the Auckland province should have a marvellous future m fruit-growing.