OTAGO FRUIT

Southland Times, Issue 19508, 6 May 1922, Page 8

OTAGO FRUIT

A SHIPMENT TO LONDON AN UNFORTUNATE DELAY (Special to the Tinies.) DUNEDIN, May *. After surmounting the numerous difficulties inseparable from a new industry, Otago has definitely pul forward her claim to a place on the world’s market for her fruit by completing the shipment at Port Chalmers of 5234 cases of apples and pears for London in the cargo steamer Cornwall, which is leaving Wellington finally about May 16. This venture stands very much on the same footing as the first shipment from New Zealand of frozen mutton. The Dominion at large is watching various happenings in regard to the shipment, and hoping for great results. The great bulk • of the fruit is apples, the pears consisting of only about 100 cases. Standard varieties of apples are chosen, these being the Stunner, Jonathan, Cleopatra, Dunn’s Favourite, Delicious, Statesman, Newton Pippin, and other approved sorts. There can be no question about the type of apples. It is all a question of time and condition. The shipment has been under the control of Mr H. Turner (Otago Fmitgrowers’ Assn.), and Mr B. C. Goodwin (Government Orchard Instructor), who speaks highly of the enthusiastic manner in which all concerned have worked together to bring the undertaking to a head. The Railway Department with its staff at Beaumont, Alexandra, and Clyde, has done everything to facilitate the despatch of the fruit to the ship’s side with the minimum of delay. The general get-up of the cases, with their secure wiring and neat brands, comes in for much fa/ourable comment, and those in a position to know, state that Otago has nothing to learn in this respect from those provinces which have been exporting for many years. Much has been said as to the rough handling that goods of this description receive in shipping, but in this particular instance great credit is due to the waterside workers for the careful manner in which the goods were handled. The only probable drawback to the success of this shipment is its late arrival on the London market. The fruit will not be marketed until early in July, which is a full month later than is considered advisable in order to avoid clashing with the new season’s soft fruits, the advent of which materially lessens the demand for apples, with a corresponding drop in prices. It is an open secret that this shipment of apples could have been despatched by the Zealandic, due home several weeks before the Cornwall, arrangements in fact having been definitely made for the former vessel, but for reasons which are obvious to those in a position to know, Otago was cut out and preference given to Nelson. However, more will be heard of this phase of the question in other quarters. The point is that the success of this shipment, upon which so much depends is likely to be discounted owing to its late arrival, but the growers are determined not to be discouraged if the prices realised do not come up to their anticipations, as this pioneer shipment will be a practical object lesson as to the best varieties to ship and their keeping qualities for transport. Needless to say, every care will be taken to secure vessels for next season which will land their cargoes Home at a more suitable period.