FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15046, 14 April 1919, Page 2

FRUIT INDUSTRY.

RIWAKA. FRUITGROWERS' AS- * SOCIATIOJN.

The monthly' meeting of the Riwaka Fruitgrowers' * Association was held at the Oddfellows' Hall, Riwaka, on Monday evening -April 7. The chair was occupied by' Mr W. W. "Anderson (President), about 25 members being present. Mr Rundle, manager of the Nelson Co-operative Fruit Company, was also a visitor. Uhj3 Department of Agriculture was represented by Messrs Goodwin and Davey. i 0 , Correspondence was read by the hon. secretary (Mr J. B. Scott) from the Fruitgrowers' Federation, giving details of approximate date for the meeting of the Provincial Conference.—Mr W. A. J. Briggs, Umukuri, was elected to attend as delegate for the-Riwaka Association.

With regard to remits to the conference, it was decided that these matters be left m the hands of the committee. A letter was received from tho Director of the Horticulture Division, stating that the terms on which the Association were prepared to lease the packing shed at Riwaka were acceptable to the De-partment.—-It was resolved that the disposal of the space and use of shed be left in the hands of the secretary. Dissatisfaction "was expressed regarding the remarks of the Magistrate, and also the small penalties imposed at the hearing of the cases under the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act recently taken by the Department of, Agriculture at Motueka. The following resolution was submitted by the copimittee: "That this Association protest against the attitude taken up the Magistrate in the recent prosecution by the Department of Agriculture, especially in the case where it was proved no spraying was done." Mr Briggs hoped the action of the committee would~be confirmed by the growers present. The fact that any orchardist should go;throtfgh sthe whole season without applying "any spray to control eodlin moth was a menace to the district. -

Sidney Rowling said he thoroughly agreed with the remarks of Mr Briggs. If any orchardist was allowed to co neglect his orchard that if would contain 90 per cent of eodlin moth infected apples it was going to he very hard on the growers adjacent to hirii, and make control most difficult for fhe district" in general.

Mr Rundle spoke at length on the ravages of the eodlin moth in America, and the huge loss incurred yearly through the operations of this pest. He considered the Department could not be too strongly supported in its efforts to control the spread of eodlin moth. Mr W.- T. Goodwin, Orchard Instructor, gave useful information regarding thorough and efficient methods of control, .thereby reducing the damage brought about by eodlin moth to a minimum. -

Other growers spoke strongly on- the subject.

Ihe resolution of the committee was carried unanimously by members present

At the instigation of the Nelson Provincial Fruitgrowers' Council, the subject of appointing inspectors. to supervise the loading and discharging of fruit at the ports of Motueka,.Nelson, and Wellington was' discussed. While recognising the advantages obtained by stich inspection it was decided to let the matter stand over until next meeting. Mr Briggs moved, seconded by Mr Jones, that Mr J. A. Campoell, Assist-ant-Director of the Horticultural Division, be asked to investigate the respective merits of the leading varieties of strawberries, raspberries and small fruits at present grown in America, and if possible procure a quantity of plants for the purpose of testing by the Department.

Mr Rundle gave particulars of many varieties which had ' come under his notice while in America and which were to be specially : recommended for their canning and carrying qualifiers. He considered a variety known as'Clark's River, would he specially suitable for Nelson conditions.

'.The president moved, seconded by Mr Sidney Rowling that remits be sent to the Provincial Conference dealing with the increased rates on railways; also the existing arrangement of making Motueka the final port of call. . Mr Harry Everett emphasised the disadvantages of the Motueka growers under, this arrangement, and" urged the concession of sailings with Nelson, -i

Mr Jones asked. Mr Rundle to kindly explain arid give, details to the Association of/fcTie proposed standardising or" packing and grading. • v Mr Rundle stated that it was the only business method of approaching the English and American markets. It was giving buyers a square, deal with both retailers and, produce brokers, an<J before business -would be done on a large scale buyers would insist on these methods being put into practice. Under the existing conditions of _ grading the local markets often contained one quality under as many as ten to twelve different descriptions of grade, with the result' neither auctioneer nor Buyer could depend on the class of fruit they were handling, or the consumer the quality of fruit he was purchasing. As uniform grading iand packing became universal, it would be much easier to create sales.! This had already been experienced "by the Nelson Co-bporatiye Fruit Company this year, to a marked degre. Sales had been made at increased prices, and the demand increased also. The present uncertainty with regard to prices realised by growers was an index to the present position. Mr Rundle considered it desirable for Departmental officers, representatives of companies and independent to meet each year and set the grades for the coming season. Mr Wm. Rowling, in moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Rundle, said ois remarks had been full of interest. The motion was carried by acclamation. The meeting -was concluded! with a general discussion on the subject of standard packing and'grading.

Now that the war is over and the soldiers are returning, one would expect a marriage boom, but judging by the figures at the office of the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in Christcnurch, the returning men are not rushing into matrimony immediately upon their arrival home (says the "Press"). The first clear month after the signing of the armistice was December, when 68 marriages were solemnised m • Chnstchurchj as against 87 in the corresponding month of the previous year Possibly the influenza epidemic was largely responsible for the decrease m what is generally a popular month for marriages,, for in January there were 59 weddings, as against 48 in January, 1918, and in February there were 64, as against 40 in February, 1918. Last month, however, the comparison was reversed, for there were but 75, as against 84 during the corresponding period of last. year.

An olvjoct-lesson in expert cargo-pil-Jagmrr, ;,s now practised, is given by an Auckland firm of ironmongers, who are exhibiting in their window three small enscs - of American engineers' toolr., which were delivered to the consignees .filled with an assortment of hardwood, blocks, hollow building 'tiles, and pieces -of rock. , One small case shown jn the window Should have contained a bench drill, but holds nothing but a block of'hardwood, cunningly wedged in the' ceritre of the case by a number of small wooden strips nailed to it and to the case.sidesN This work could .tfiofc : have <'beeri carried out", unless the.thief had had plenty-of time and been free from danger of disturbance. .