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cricts, and which commands a high price there, often resembles lard, and the consumers have got so used to this that they are prejudiced against any having the rich colour of the New Zealand product. The packing of the butter from New Zealand this season requires little comment on my part. It has been similar to that of former years, and has given satisfaction to the trade generally. I, however, wish again to urge the advantage of altogether making use of the oblong box as being distinctive of New Zealand origin. Cheese-casing this season has shown some improvement, but is not yet, I regret, so good as desirable. Many cases made of rough undressed timber, and in some instances having battens of unequal size and length, have been noticed. Most cheesefactories yet prefer to bind the ends of their cases with wire rather than with light hoop-iron. This I still believe to be a mistake, judging by the number of breakages occurring among the cases. One pleasing feature, however, in regard to cheese-packing this season is the manner in which the cases have been branded. Instead of the stencil formerly so generally used, and which, on reaching this market, was often greatly smudged and disfigured, an impress brand has become the rule, following action taken in that direction by the Agricultural Department in the colony. This, besides giving a neater and more attractive appearance to the cases, has the advantage of being distinct and easily read. There has been an undoubted improvement in the quality of the cheese received as compared with that of former years. Acidity and feedy flavours have been less pronounced and frequent. With the exception of a few minor complaints at the beginning of the season on the score of want of maturity, few faults have been brought under my notice. By some this might be said to be accounted for by the unusual firmness of the market, for it is generally recognised that when markets are rising and trade is brisk, qualities are accepted that would be objected to in a market where opposite conditions ruled. In the present instance, however, New Zealand cheese is acknowledged on its merits to have marked an advance in quality. During the year those interested in the butter trade have had their attention directed to the manufacture and sale of " milk-blended " butter. The system adopted by the manufacturers of this article has been to blend with colonial butter, which is selected on account of its low moisture, milk and water, which after manipulation is retained in large quantity, the percentage being shown on analysis to be 25 per cent, and over in many instances. Not only is water used, but butter of very inferior quality is often incorporated in the mixture. I have given considerable attention to this subject, and have attended several meetings held for its consideration. At present there is before the House of Commons a Government Bill dealing with the matter. Reports concerning this have been forwarded to Wellington. Hemp. It is with great satisfaction that I have to report continued steadiness in the demand for New Zealand hemp during the past year. Although supplies received from the colony have shown a very large increase, stocks have been readily absorbed, and their value has kept nearer to Manila hemp than ever before. The quality of the New Zealand hemp has shown considerable improvement, more care in preparation having seemingly been taken with it than formerly. The system of Government grading introduced has met with approval on the market here, and, speaking generally, has been very satisfactory. While as yet buyers do not rely on the grading when making purchases to the same extent as in the case with dairy-produce, I feel satisfied that when the reliability of the grader's certificate is established business transactions will be greatly facilitated by it. During the past year there has not been such a large quantity of Manila hemp coming on the London market as formerly. The Americans have been making their purchases and getting their shipments sent direct from Manila to the United States. This, lam inclined to think, has proved of advantage to shipments of hemp arriving here from New Zealand. FkUIT-SHIPMENTS. A shipment of fruit, consisting of 1,203 cases of apples and 50 cases pears, made by the Styx Orchard Company of Christchurch, was received early in the period under review. Unfortunately, the temperature maintained in the chamber on board the vessel during the voyage had not been suitable for the purpose, with the result that a considerable portion of the shipment was frozen, and so damaged. Consequently, when placed on the market the prices realised were very irregular and unsatisfactory. The result of the shipment as a further test of the London market for New Zealand fruit was, of course, disappointing and of little value. Fruit-pulp. Early last season, when it became recognised that the unfavourable weather-conditions would result in the fruit-crop in this country and on the Continent being unusually small, I took the responsibility of advising producers in the colony to take advantage of the opportunity and to test the London market for fruit-pulp by forwarding any consignments that might be available. Several shipments of raspberry-pulp were accordingly received by agents here. These met with a ready sale at prices which must have proved remunerative to the shippers. There were, unfortunately, however, faults in the packing of some of the shipments, which naturally caused considerable loss by damage. Full reports concerning these consignments, market conditions, &c, have been sent to Wellington, and it is to be hoped that the faults pointed out will in future be remedied. The quality received has been satisfactory, and favourably commented on by various London jam-makers.