H.—29

32

Imported Fruit. The following figures supplied by the Customs Department show the quantity of fresh fruit and fruit products imported into New Zealand during the year. The previous year's figures are quoted for comparison.

This shows a big falling-off in the importations, due chiefly to the disorganization caused by the Great War. Inspection or Imported Fruit, Plants, and Vegetables. The Fruit Inspectors stationed at tin- ports of inspection ---Auckland, Wellington, Christchurcl , Dunedin, and Bluff report that the bulk of the fruit, vegetables, &c, came to hand in good conditior. Several lines, however, from Fiji, Cook Islands, and Australia arrived in more or less bad order. Bananas from Fiji especially have been of very poor quality, in many instances being only half-grown. There has again been a big decrease in the total number of packages imported at all the ports with the exception of Wellington, which shows an increase as compared with the previous year. The, reduced figures are due to war conditions, and also to the influenza epidemic, which greatly disorganized shipm'ents from the islands. A great improvement is noticeable in the quality and packing of the fruit from the Cook Islands, particularly bananas, the cases being well filled, and honestly packed. The condemnation of fruit for fly infection was confined to only one or two lines. A. number of consignments infected with scale and mealy bug required to be fumigated before being allowed to land. The following is a summary of all fruit, vegetables, plants, &c, examined at the different ports of entry during the year, the. previous year's figures being also quoted for comparison :—

Vineyards and Vinrhouses. There has been no alteration in the area under vineyards, which stands at 454 acres. The Acting Vine and Wine Instructor reports that owing to unseasonable weather experienced the vintage in all parts of the Dominion was quite a month late. Although the grape crop was lighter, the fruit was in fine condition owing to the favourable autumn experienced, and should result in a good sample of wine being made. It is estimated the yield of wine will be 48,000 gallons, about one-fifth less than that of 1918. At a conservative estimate of 4s. per gallon this represents a value of £9,000. The number of glasshouses in the Dominion is 850. The inclement weather experienced during the growing season has also affected flic grape crop under glass, which is estimated at 457,405 Ib., a considerable decrease as compared with the previous year. This crop, based on Is. 3d, per pound, represents a value of £28,588. I nspection of vineyards and vinehouses has been carried out during the year.

1918 19. 1917-1 8. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Fruit, fresh, dutiable .. ,, ,, free ,, bottled and preserved ,, dried Lemon and orange peel in brine. . Fruit-pulp and partially preserved fruit 1.381.061 lb. 18,808,525 lb. 147,380 doz. 8,070,001 ll». 115,626 lb. 67.686 lb. £ 20,249 135,464: 59,821 221.105 2.100 1,532 3.239,090 lb. 21,420,386 lb. 237.672 doz. 11.026.996 lb. 484,228 lb. 162.494 lb. £ 33,537 143,457 75,660 288,502 3.623 2,978 Totals 4 10.271 547,757

Port of Entry. Fruit. Plants, Vege itables, &c. Total. Destroyed. Fumigated. Reshipped. Total. Di stroyed. Fumigated. Grand Total. 1918-19. Auckland Wellington Christchureh Dunedin Bluff . . Cases. .. 345,816 .. 103,716 27,389 .. ', 9,764 .. | 6.328 Cases. Cases. 145 106 626 243 55 130 I 14 207 84 Cases. Packages. 20 51,518 60,417 468 6.876 94 I Packages, " 9 Packages. Packages. 397,334 164,133 27,857 16.640 7.269 8 1 1917-18. Auckland Wellington Christchureh Dunedin Bluff .. .. 446,507 93,429 34,882 20,944 6,531 55 2,868 929 178 18 40 184 61 25 33 3 19,189 126 28,650 1,563 7.722 796 3 126 2 11 18 6 1 200 465,696 122,079 36,445 28.666 7,327 1