The Codlin Moth.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1790, 3 February 1886, Page 2

The Codlin Moth.

Tbe Wellington customs authorities have made several seizures of part consignments of apples from Melbourne and Sydney during tbe last few days. Nearly 100 cases have been detained, and the fruit importers of Wellington are greatly incensed (says the Post) at the action of tbe Customs authorities in giving instructions to their officers to strictly enforce the order in Council of 1881, prohibiting the importation of apples and pears affected with the codlin moth. It is alleged that order was intended only to apply to fruit from America, whereas the present directions relate to Tasmanian fruit, and it is argued that as the pest has long obtained a tooting in this colony, it is absurd now to adopt the policy of shutting tbe stable door after the steed is stolen. This course, it is said, has been adopted owing to tbe representations of Canterbury fruit growers, who seem to be under the impression that the codlin moth is at present unknown in that provincial district. The articles on the subject of the pest published on the Canterbury papers would certainly lead to the supposition that the writers are ignorant of the fact that Canterbury is infected with the moth ; but that they should be ignorant of it is decidedly strange, as duriug last session Professor Kirk reported to the House as follows: —“ This pest (the codlin moth) is increasing in many parts of the colony, but at present is not generally distributed. It is most destructive in the provincial districts of Canterbury, Marlborough, aud Nelson, but is uot confined to them ; it is known in Westland, Wellington' and in several parts of the Auckland districts. It was observed in the Auckland district about twelve years ago, and in the Nelson district about tight.” The Hon Mr Richardson, we are informed has known the codlin moth in his orchard io Canterbury for the last 16 years. A telegram from Auckland says 577 cases of fruit—apples and pears—by the Waihora, from Melbourne, were infected with the codlin moth, and were "not allowed to be landed, and will be returned to the port whence they were shipped.