WAIKATO FRUITGROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 3500, 29 November 1894, Page 3

WAIKATO FRUITGROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

The animal meeting of the Wnikato Fruitgrowers' Association was held in ;3)eliiney» Hall, Olrinpo, lit 11 a.m. yesterday. There were present: Mr W. Johns (President) in the chair, and Messrs Potis, Ohyo, Geraiann, Karl(2), Edwards, McCallurn, Ranch, and the lion. sec. Mr Potts, jutir. Kkpout - The annual report was presented by the secretary It is now rather better than a year ago since the above association was started, its main object being, as you are aware, to encourage and foster the fruit industry in this part of the province and to be a body formed to take any action if required to encourage or protect the industry. Among a few of the benefits we have received we might mention oue or two of the most useful of them, the first being the through carriage of fruit to Auckland. Fruit sent from stations south of Frankton junction used to be transhipped at Frankton aud put on board the eroods train, thus causing an extra handling and a lot of unnecessary knocking about, which meant a considerable loss to the grower, especially when his fruit was ripe. As an example of the differenre it made iu the time'of transit, we have shipped fruit from Niraroto station in the morning and it has been sold at auction in Aucklaud on the afternoon of the same day; also, the carriage of fruit during Christmas and New Year holidays, when goods trains did not ran regular it was a •considerable loss to growers if they could not get their ripe fruit away pretty regular, especially at that time of the -yeur, when it ripens very fast. However, wheu the Railway Commissioners weio .approached and the matter laid clearly before them, they met the growers in a very fair manner, so that now small lotn are carried through to Auckland if practicable whenever a train runs. The Waikato Association joined the Aucklaud Fruitgrowers' Union last May, and although we are affiliated to them we can act independenlty of the Union on any matters of interest to ourselves, but it is best to have as much combination as possible. The Auckland Union has appointed an agent to sell fruit and produce at a 5 per cent, commission for all affiliated associations' fruit and produce, to be .«old wholesale or retail, and if the ■present regulations are not exactly perfect we should loyally support the agent and try to make it as great a success as possible. The Union has adopted and registered a brand 'to be used by all members of affiliated associations, the brand to be a guarantee of capacity, and boxestnaiked"Extra," "No. l,""No. 2," and •' inferior "or " mothed." The Union hopes that all fruitgrowers will adopt their standard size of boxes, as their brand can only be placed on Union size cases. As long as we are a combination ana woik together, as at present, we will get better prices for our produce, the salesmen know that we are a power to be reckoned with and will corsider our interests as much, if Dot more, than the man who buys our fruit, and now I think it rests with the growers to do their share by sending at a portion, if not all, their fruit to the appointed ageuts Last upring the Government appointed Capt. Broun as entornblogist, and by the busy manner in which be has been kept going from one part of the district to another, it goes without saying that he has not been appointed any too soon, and the. country is very fortunate in having secured tbe services of sueh an experienced entomologist as Capt. Broun. Duty on •imported fruit: This is another matter of great importance to the welfare of the fruit industry, and although the association and its executive have done all in its power to try and get a duty put on imported Inland or other fruit, they have not yet been able to succeed., The executive have sent numerous letters and telegrams to the Gbvernment, 1 and although they sent assuring replies and were willing 'to support us, Parliament did not seem to have time to consider the matter. Our President, Mr Johns, when at the Conference in Auckland in June lest, bad this matter brought up and endorsed, and a resolution passed that a petition be sent to the Government asking for an increase in the duty on fruit, but it met with tbe same' fate as other petitions.—Mr Johns, in speaking on the report, emphasised the •importance of the concession granted by 'the Railway Department in the carriage of small quantities of fruit at holiday time, aud he pointed out that it would be well to notify station masters at the principal stations and the guards at flag stations of ihe intention to ship fruit by .holiday trains.—This was considered by the meeting as one of the most important concession by fruitgrowers in connection with the carnage of fruit.—A motion by Mr Germann, seconded by Mr Karl, for the adoption of the report was unanimously carried. Finascr.—'The statement of leceipts and expenditure was presented liy the Treasurerßeceipts, 35 members at 5s £8 15s ; expenditure, postige, and stationery, £llßs 2-1; printing anil advertising, £1 16s G'l ; subscription Waikato Horticuliural Society, £1 la; subscription to Fruitgrowers' Uuion, £2 ss; travelling expenses, 18s 9d ; making; a total expenditure of £7 19s 5d ; and leaving au available balance of 16s 7d. The treasurer pointed out that there were itill some outstanding subscriptions amounting to about £2, and there were liabilities amounting to 6i. The President reported that a grant had been voted to the Secretary for his services, bit he had kindly decided to forego this .amount, an action which he thought was a very generous one.—The balance sheet was then adopted. Thanks.—Mr F. C. Germann moved a vote of thanks to the President, VicePresident, and other' officers for their services (luring tbe past season.—This

was seconded by Mr J. T, Edwards and carried unanimously.-Mr W, Johns on behalf on the officers thanked the meeting for their vote.-A vote of thanks was also passed to Mr Dehncy for the use of his ball, and the Preps for their support during the year. tmCEiW —The officers were TP-ap-pointed for the coming year as follows viz,: President. Mr W, Johns; VicePresidents, Mr Jno. Sharp and Mr J. T. Potts ; Committee: Messrs P. C. Germany J. Ryburn, .T. Forrest, G. Mann, J. Murphy, G, Mason, D. McLaren, A. Karl, H, Krippner, J, Ohye, T. K. Davidson, F. Moody. Treasurer: Mr J. T. Potts. Secretary : Mv Potts, jnr. Insects. —lt was decided to order a cabinet to obtain the collection of insects as suggested .by Captain Broun at the last meeting ; the cost to be defrayed by private subscription. Subscriptions.—The President pointed out that the annual subscription was only ss. and if they wished to continue affiliated to the Auckland Union a subscription of 3s a member would have to be paid to the Union, which would leave only about .£4 10s to carry on the affairs of the Association, and this would not be sufficient. He considered the levy of the Union excessive, but they were committed for this year to this subscription. Agent s !.—Mr Johns urged on the members to give the utmost of their support to the agents, Messrs Esam and Arthur, appointed by the Union, as by keeping the agents on the terms granted by them would be advantageous to the growers. Boxes.—Any members requiring the cost of boxes supplied by Messrs Kusabs Bros, or Messrs Davy 8 Bros., can obtain a price list on application to ■ the Secretory. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.