CORRESPONDENCE.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 24, 1 November 1901, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

To The Editor

Sir: Your correspondent, Fruit Grower does not make himself .very clear in his reference to the Delegates of the fruit growers union meetings.He is certainly mistaken if he thinks the delegates appointed the Wellington agents ; the members of the union did that by ballot. Speaking for myself, I supported the firm that lost by one vote, but I have every confidence in the firm that won. Certainly the firm that lost has the largest range of business and would handle thousands of casesof fruit

fairly heavy crop of fruit has set ; generally speaking, however, the yield. of the Nelson district will only be moderate. Peaches promise to crop heavily, especially where systematic spraying has been carried on for the purpose of controlling peach curl. Those who cultivate cherries can* look forward to an abundant crop,, fruit having set remarkably well. In respect to plums, especially -with reference to European sorts, we have the promise of a good average yield ; Japanese have set unusually thick and unless heavily thinned the fruit will be small and to a great extent unmarketable. In this connection we are reminded of an incident which happened in Nelson City a season or two ago, when a prominent orchardist who has intelligent and advanced ideas on the necessity for thinning fruit generally, by putting his theories into practice, was deluged with orders for plums, when the market was glutted with those which were grown on trees left to take care of themselves. Pears have bloomed very profusely ; from present appearances there are indications that the fruit has well set, and the crop will be a full one. With reference to apples we can state the fruit has apparently set well ; given favorable weather and careful spraying to control the depred-. atioris of the- codlin moth an abundant yield is promised. We would take the opportunity of once more reminding fruit growers of the futility of spraying the trees with Paris Green or any other arsenite after the calyx lobes have closed together. A large extent of land in this district is now being devoted to the culture of the raspberry, black currant, red and white -currants ; also the gooseberry. The plantations of the first mentioned are looking remarkabiy well all over the district ; hi fact, no particular locality can be selected for especial mention, unless we refer to what has been uone by Mr Dudgeon, who'has carried >»ut a thorough system of cultivation and continual stirring of the surface, soil ; lie has afforded an excellent object lesson to those who were sceptical about the wisdom of planting the cane iti the dry soils on the plains or in the immediate neighborhood of the Boroxigh. Black currants, of which a considerable number are coming into bearing, will probably yield a, good harvest. It will, we feel sure, surprise many of nnr readers to learn that the culture of red and white currants has increased very much, especially the former ; both ~inds promise well. There is always a ready and growing demand for the t>o often neglected gooseberry, useful for culinary, preserving and dessert purposes. A considerable quantity is grown iu and exnorted from the Nelson district. It is pleasing to learn of the prospect of a good yield. Taken alt >gether fruit, growers may look forward to sple-ndid" crops and satisfactory returns for their labors from this rapid - ]\- increasing and important industry. It is just twelve months since this district was visited by the. gale which was so destructive to the fruit trees. "" The new Post Office'is expected to be ready for the transaction of public business to-morrow. We remind those interested of the "meeting of Cricket Association's delegates which is to be held this evening. The S.S. Wairoa will leave Motueka for Nelson on Sunday at 12.30p.m., and also on Monday at 1.30 p.m. She proceeds f iom Nelson to Takaka and C >llingwood on Monday at Bp.m. The S.S. Lily is expected to resume running on Monday or Tuesday next. A man 33 yens of age who cycled from R mgiora to Amberley against a head wind died the same-night through over ex n-tioii.

The catering for the Masonic banquet, held here on Wednesday evening was entrvat.id to Mr and Mrs George Boyce, who are to'be congratulated upon the excellent repast provided. The guests were loud in their praise of the well cooked viands which weighted the festive board, and generally agreed that the good fare would do credit to more pretentious places than Motueka. We must not forget the deftness shown by those who laid the supper table. Upon Mr Hursthouse's name being submitted for the position of Chairman of the local branch of the New Zealand Farmer's Union, our worthyMayor informed the company present that he would be unable to accept the position, as it was more than probable he would be leaving the district in a few months. We trust such will not be the case as Mr Hursthouse has always taken a leading part in the social and political doings of Motueka, and his removal would be a distinct loss to the community. As showing the limited ideas of some people as to the functions of such a corporation as the New Zealand Far- ■ • mer's Union it may be mentioned that one speaker urged that the members should 11 rike against "the six bob racket for shoeing horses. After this we expect to hear of some equally intelligent individual agitating for a general reduction on the price of clothes pegs and tooth picks. At the Motueka Post Office we notice posted up two applications for prospecting licenses, each of 200 acre area, applied for by Mr W. Walters, representing a wealthy southern syndicate. The locality -is in the Mount A lour District, and covers the block o* 1 "I'd formerly held by the New Zealand Asbestos Company, which they abandoned about two years ago. Mr Irving, represanting the Christ-k'-.h.uivl\,'Mefft Cona.pany, is -&t preserefeon a visit to this district. During the _ month of October the vital statistics for the Motueka district, as supplied by Mr Tarrant, the Registrar, were :—Births 8, Marriages 1, ■Deaths 1.