MEETING OF FRUITGROWERS.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 16, 4 October 1901, Page 4

MEETING OF FRUITGROWERS.

Theadj. umed meet ug of fi*u'tgrowers of Matueka and adjacent districts, was held a the Church of England school ro mi on Tuesday evening’, when there .vas a nmeli Letter attendance of persons interested in the industry than on the previous occasion. The meeting- was presided over by Mr Thomas Pattie who stated ’ that as those who had attended the last meeting were not altogether representat- ■ ive of the district, they had decided to meet that evening to enroll fresh members and elect delegates for the caucus which was to be held in Nelson shortly. He invited suggestions from those present, which would he transmitted to the Secretary of the TJnion. After reviewing the objects of the Union, as printed in a leaflet, Mr Pattie said that during the last season there were strong evidences of over supply, especially as regards hops, the result being that capital invested was lost ; when this loss affected fruit growers the effect was more disastrous, from the fact that about eight years must elapse before orchardists got any substantial benefit from trees. He referred to the export of fruit to England and elsewhere, more particularly apples, and the difficulties individuals met with. If they organised, shippers would have a chance of finding a market, if they did not, the outlook" was bad for them, and spelt failure. He invited discussion Mr Ban field thought an agent should be stationed in Nelson, whose duty it would be to send consignments of fruit to the best markets. . A long discussion ensued as to the effect of glutting certain markets through consignments being sent from different districts, the grading of fruit and other details which will no doubt be fully discussed at the meeting of delegates. During the discussion, it was mentioned that there was a large area in Motueka and neighbouring districts devoted to fruit growing; that hop gardens were being pi ughed up to plant trees, principally apples, and that large ordeisfor trees had already been booked for next season, which would mean a, very considerable increase. Tire chairman, also remarked that the local holdings were small, su’table only for hops and fruit, and it seemed to him nature meant it for that purpose. Messrs Banfield, Trewavas, Dudgeon, P. Moffatt, F. Huffi.m and others took part in the discussion, which was terminated by the chairman calling upon those pi esent to select the delegates to attend the meeting at Nelson. Messrs Banfield and Thomas Pattie were unanimously elected to represent the district. The following additional names were added to the Committee selected at the previous meeting : Messrs James Drummot d, W. L'mme", Upper and Lower Moutere ; Jas "Wills, Ngatimoti ; and B. Lloyd (subject to his consent) Pangatotaia. Just before the meeting - closed, Mr W. J. Moffatt brought before those present, (not as members ox the Union but as residents of the locality) the advantages to the district of having a direct steamer to Wellington, which should receive a Government subsidy. He moved, “ That this meeting suggests that the question of a subsidy for direct steamship communication with Wellington be brought before the notice of the local public bodies.” Seconded by Mr James, senior, and carried A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

The friends of Mr E. Fisk, who is well knowu in this city, will be pleased to hear that lie has rejoined the steamer Te Kapu after an absence of many months. — N. Z, Times.