FRUIT CONFERENCE DELEGATES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5568, 18 May 1896, Page 2

FRUIT CONFERENCE DELEGATES.

Mr W. S. Campbell, Secretary of the New South Wales Department of Agriculture, and Mr G. Neilson, of the Victorian Department of Agriculture, -who represented their respective Governments at the Australasian Fruit-growers' Conference, at Wellington, visited Christchurch last week. On Tuesday they were shown over the Belfast Freezing Works, and wore greatly impressed with the efficiency and economy of the various processes, though there were points to which criticism was directed. On Wednesday morning the museum and gardens were visited. Tho former was thought tobe a subject for af or tnight's study, being considered in many respects the finest in the colonies. Admiration was expressed of. the great numbers of trees and plants that were being successfully grown in the gardens, but. Mr Campbell was extremely surpiised and disappointed that so few of them were named, and at the utter neglect *of a large part of the grounds. The party, conducted by Mr Holderness, and accompanied by Mr Blackmore, then drove to Lincoln College, the general arrangements of which were admired, but it was considered that inadequate attention was given to experiments ; to fruit-growing, Mr Campbell considered, at least thirty acres should be devoted. Before leaving for Dunedin on Thursday morning Mr Campbell called lipon Mr H. R. Webb, Chairman of *the Board of Governors.: On Friday the Mosgiel Woollen Mill was inspected, and the greatest pleasure expressed at seeing the whole process of manufacture. Mr Neilson went on to Melbourne vi 4 Bluff, and Mr Campbell, with Mr Blackmore, returned to Christchurch on Saturday, breaking the journey at Paimerston to visit Mr Douglas's Mount. Royal Estate. Mr Campbell considered the woolshed which was designed by Mr J. D. Ritchie, now secretary of the Agricultural Department — the best planned he had seen, and was delighted with the estate in every way. Mr Campbell went on to Wellington on Saturday night, en route for Sydney, and hoped to have an interview with the Minister of Lands on the voyage north on matters which Khad impressed him during his brief visit^to New Zealand.

Canterbury Kose Society.— -In the list to be added to the society's catalogue of exhibition roses appearing in Saturday's issue omission was made of the following teas:— Bridesmaid, Princess de SngaiT, Souvenir de Clairvaux, Souvenir de Madame Pernee, Duche3se d'Auerstadt.