FRUIT-GROWING AT WAIMATE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CV, Issue 16076, 25 September 1916, Page 4

FRUIT-GROWING AT WAIMATE.

-FRUITGROWERS' ASSOCIATION FORMED. At an enthusiastic mooting of Waimate Fruit-growers held in Waimato on Thursday evening, convened by Mr W. Menzios, who presided, it was unanimously resolved to form a. Waimato Fruitgrowers' Association, to become affiliated with tho N.Z. .Fruitgrowers' Federation. Over twenty truib-growors of the district attended. Mr IMiodda, tiro Government; expert, was present, .also Mr Campbell, of the Cheviot Orchard, Geraldine. Mr Rliodda gave some very good reasons as to why tho growers should form an Association. Ho pointed out tho advantages to be gained by organisation in tho matter of buying and selling. Tho industry was now being organised, and a manager for the Fruitgrowers' Federation had just been appointed. It would bo this official's duty to look after tho interests of the industry throughout the country, to secure tho best markets for tho fruit, and in every way facilitate the industry. Tlio Government recoguised the value of tho industry, and for tho purpose of fostering it was levying a tax of Is per aero on all lands used for orchards, and the money was to ho handed ovor to tho Federation to further the industry in tho Dominion. There was good fruit-growing oountry round about Waimato, and lie hoped to see an association formed which would promote this industry, which was yet in its infancy in the district. Mr Campbell, who is known throughout the district as a most successful orchardist, spoko very strongly in favour of an Association being formed, and stated that lie had very nearly settled in tho Waimato district when ho first started fruit-growing; ho had thought the land round well suited for the purpose, but had eventually gone on to Geraldino. He was a member of the Cheviot Fruitgrowers' Association, but. was prepared to forward a subscription to tho Waimato Association. Ho hoped to seo a strong Association formed in Waimate. In answer to a question Mr Campbell said ho believed in having few varieties of apples in an orchard; in fact ho believed in there, being not more thansix goqd sound varieties in a district for commercial purposes. After several others had spoken, it was unanimously resolved that an Association be formed to be known as the Waimate Fruitgrowers' Association, and a Committee w-as set up to- go into details, and report at a further meeting to be held later.