THE JAM INDOUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1072, 14 December 1903, Page 3

THE JAM INDOUSTRY.

!A; representative meeting of fruitgrowers was held on Saturday to confer with Mr Basil Jones, manager of the extensive Frimley works, Hastings, on the practicability of starting a jam factory in Poverty Bay. Mr W. D, Lysnar presided, and

amongst "those present were : Messrs 1. Sji Sirnson, G. Schmidt, R. Thelwall, A. Thomson, S. W. Oxenham, W. Webb, A. F. Bridges, W. A. Flood, C. J. Parker, W h E. Akroyd, W. K. .Chambers, Sparrow, Birrcll, Stewart, Jennings, and Keefer. The Chairman briefly explained the object, of the meeting, and introduced Mr _Jones, the manager of Mr J. hi. .Williams’ factory at Frimley. * Mr Jones said that all he knew about the Poverty Bay fruit was avliat he had heard from the committee, and that, he regretted to say, had no't predisposed liim in favor of a jam or pulping factory being started here. He had come at the re/(piest of Mr J. N. Williams to give the fruitgrowers hero all the advice that he could, and to take advantage of the plethora of fruit in this district, which he had heard was this season very great. Ife presumed they had come there to hear facts. The Chairman ; ,Yes, Jet us have hard facts.

Continuing,, the speaker said that to start a factory they would have to send their fruit to the factory on an average of Id a pound, .Were ithey prepared to do that ? A Voice : it can be done.

Mr Jones said that Auckland was putting jam out at 3s a dozen, and to compete with these firms they would .require to put their jam on the market at a similar figure. They .would need an expert, who would havo to bo paid well for his knowjudge. Then they would want about fifty tons of raspberries a season, at 2ia per lb apricots at Id, plums at ltd. Black currants ihey had not g.ot, so they would have to import them from Tasmania. They, had any amount of quinces, hut people did not like quince jam, and apples did not make jam. He spoke at some Jength upon the codlin moth, A nd advised those who had orchards “neeted with the moth to root the trees out, and put something profitable in their p'lace. It they had 11 or 15 kinds of fruit he would advise them to start a factory. Then they .would have to contend against the labor restrictions. It was most difficult to get girls, and it cost 20s a week for youths. He proceeded to depict the difficulties the fruitgrowers would have Lo contend with. At Frimley lie had put up a factory for £2OllO, and Mr J. N. Williams had guaranteed his banking account up to £fo,ooo to buy fruit from the farmers. To start a factory would cost them about £7OO, and this Would require to be backed up with a capital of £3OOO at Hie least. Then they would have Lo sell their jam lower than other firms, so as to secure a footing. Mr Jones spoke at some length on the-difficulties he had to contend with when he took over Crease’s factory. Despite their efforts they had lost for the first season or two: They had got some .gardens in Poverty Bay, but no orenards. He advised them to lay down "some of their land in fruit trees, and to attend to them hy spraying and cultivation. In a couple lot years’ time they might be in a position to talk of starting a factory. •Until that time he was prepared to .give them fd per lb. for, apricots and ltd for pears. Iu reply to Mu Thclwall, Mr Jones said that pumpkins could not be used in jqm-making, as it spoilt the ilavor of the jam. A factory that would turn cut 6000 cases a year would require a jam-boiler at £4- per week, and three or four men to work with him at £2 ; about twelve girls at 12s. Six tinsmiths would he necessary, with an experienced foreman Tuen the tin and casks would have to be bought. It was no use starting in a slipshod manner, and the • hist year would cost them £IOOO. Mr Jones paid a compliment to the lemon groves of the district, but he dashed the hopes of the orchardisls when 119 contrasted the prices they Were getting now for their lemons as compared with what they would get When sending them to a factory. Mr Schmidt said that Mr Jones evidently was not there to assist them in getting a canning or pulping factory. in reply to Mr Bridges, Mr Jones said that Mr J. hi. Williams had put down his 60-mile orchard five years ■ago. He had visited America and studied the industry, and noticed .whaf; an enormous profit they- were making, and ho decided to fight the Americans, and put a better jam on M)e maiket. TPontinuing, the speaker said that tile people of Gisborne would need to bo in the same position as Mr .vViliiams—they would Juave to ‘srow their own fruit.

Mr Chambers said that regardless 01 what Mr Jones had told them, jic thought it would be possible to suart a factory from a smaller number of fruits. He did not see why one factory should not die famous for Us particular fruit. What Mr Jones had told them about the initial cost ,\tas ‘straight dinkum. ” —it was beyond them at the present time. He thought they should wait a couple of years, until they were assured of a safe market, and in the meantime bring their orchards up to a state of perfection, and keep on planting fresb ones. At the present time he let the right to pick his at from ," Ho £2O a year, lie would cut ms ,trees down when the Government insisted on, iiis spraying. Anything' would he. welcome that would enable them to use their fruit. I lie season had been very favorable for fruit,, and they had a record y'ejd ; but they must learn-to walk first, as Mr Jones had clearly shown them, heforo they attempted to run.

Mr Jones,advised the fruit-growers to attend to their orchards, spray Iheir trees, and cultivate them .scientifically. As he had said before, he would take what they had until. they saw'their way clear to start a factory in this district. If they landed their fruit on the Napier wharf- he .Would give them Id per lb for it. Mr O.venham suggested that a branch of the Prim ley factory he started in Gisborne. Mr Jones said that it would lie as cheap to starT a canning factory. lie suggested that the farmers form a co-cpgrative fruit-growing association,, and have their fruit properly graded. Gome discussion ensued as fo the cost of running a pulping factory. Mr Jones said that when they had it started they would (inti that it would cost them £7OO a year. A first-class water supply was necessary.

The ChairmanWe are going to have a first-class water supply. Air Bridges said Air J. N. Williams had told them throe years ago they had not: an orchard in the district, and* that they must cultivate their orchards and plant more trees. They had been given the same advice today, and it was sound.- lie compared their isolation) with Frimley’s facilities. How could they hope to grow fruit alongside Frimlcy, with "the railway running close to it ? Air Stewart remarked that their isolation was one reason which made them desire to establish a jam factory in this district. Their isolation prevented them competing with outside places, so they wanted to -keep their fruit at. home, and utilise il to the best advantage. Afr Birrell said that Mr 'Jones's pessimism had been encouraged by the farmers telling him of the deplorable condition of their orchards. He •had told them he would not buy their pulp, so what was to be done ? » A vote of thanks was accorded to the Hon. J. Carroll for tor warding copies of tile Fruit Act, and it was decided to- ask him to endeavor to get the Government Pomologist to visit the district, and report on the condition of the fruit, and the most

,suitable kinds for cultivation in this district. Mr Thomson spoke on the advisability of starting a Fruit-growers’ Association, to was decided to leave it to the general committee. A vote of thanks was accorded io

Mr J. N. Williams, at whose suggestion Mr Jones had come and addressed them. I The following new members were added to the Committee :—Mcssss Bridges, Sparrow, A. Thomson, Stewart, Jennings, Akroyd, and Keefer. Mr W. Fraser was appointed secretary, tho Committee to meet next ■Friday. ___