SHIPMENT OF APPLES FOR AUCKLAND COMING THROUGH WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 April 1949, Page 6

SHIPMENT OF APPLES FOR AUCKLAND COMING THROUGH WANGANUI

A shipment of 6000 cases of apples from the Nelson district and consigned to Auckland is expected to arrive a 1 Wanganui tomorrow by the Anchor Company’s coastal motor-ship Nikau. The apples are being sent via Wanganui because of congestion at other ports, and the shipment has been arranged by the Internal Marketing Division. The fruit will be railed to Auckland for storage in the Auckland Freezing Company’s cool stores on King’s Wharf. When she arrives at ’.he town wharf the Nikau will discharge direct into railway wagons. By the vessel coming up the river much time will be saved and the apples will go forward as quickly as possible. Wagons of the "La” type, sheeted over, will be used for transporting the apples to Auckland, and about 20 trucks will be required, the normal loading being 312 cases per wagon. It is believed that the shipment coming to Wanganui tomorrow will he the first of two which are being arranged through the port. Two years ago three or tour shipments were made through Wanganui and the experiment proved so successful that it is being repeated. The time taken for a coastal vessel to make the passage from Mapua to Wanganui is about the same as the Cook Strait crossing to Wellington, and it is understood that the cost of railing fruit from Wanganui is cheaper than from Wellington. Mapua is a small port in the Wai-

mea County and ibout 21 miles northwest from Nelson ny road. Apple growing is the principal industry in .the district.