WESTERN PACIFIC ISLANDS

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1927, Page 9

WESTERN PACIFIC ISLANDS

FIJI’S FIRST CANNERY. Among the passengers who made the round trip of the Western Pacific in the Tofua, which returned to Auckland during the week, was Mr. J. A. Grimwood, of the head office staff of the Union Steamship Company. Chatting to a Star reporter Mr. Grimwood said that the Tongan Group was experiencing a phenomenally dry spell, having had many months of cool weather. The coconut crops had suffered a good deal as a result of the drought, but it was hoped that early rains would bring an improvement. In Samoa there had been an abundance of rain and the crops were in excellent condition. Fiji, also, had not been affected by the dry spell, and the fruit crops were very large, there being particularly heavy supplies of bananas. Pineapples and mangoes were also in good quantities. Speaking of the experimental cannery in Fiji, Mr. Grimwood said that the new pineapple which had been introduced about twelve months ago had proved a great success, and the first crop was now being taken. The cannery was in every way a success and although it was not likely that any of the fruit would be introduced into the New Zealand market immediately, there was no doubt that later arrangements would be made for the fruit to be shipped to this country.