IMPORTED GRAPES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 10

IMPORTED GRAPES.

THE MOERAKI'S SHIPMENT. In an interview courteously accorded our representative on the 25th by Mr T. James of the firm of Messrs T. James and Co., shippers, of Adelaide, and by Mr A. Moritzson, of this city, we were able to procure particulars not only of the firet consignment of South Australian grapes, but also as to the future prospects of trade in this fruit with South Australia. The shipment, consisted of 300 cases neatly packed in boxes of Baltic timber, each' containing 301b net, but shippere usually allow 321b to a box, leaving 21b to come and go upon. The cases were paper lined, and were divided in the centre. They were filled with bunches secureiy packed in granulated cork, imported for the purpose specially from Spain. As this mode of packing ie odourless, and ensures elasticity, it is adopted all over the world in grape export. There is no difficulty in shaking the cork grains from the bunches. All cases were stencilled with the weight and variety, also with the name 'of the vineyard and the Government stamp. The varieties were:— Muscatels, Malaga Muscats, Belas Blaucko, Red Prince, Waltham Cross, Ladies' Fingers, and Gros Glochman. The latter variety did not carry exceptionally well owing" to the soft nature of the berry. The Ladies' Fingers variety was much admired by the trade, and brought top value, except one or two cases. All other varieties w<,re found to be in the pink of condition; the buncbe6 were well grown, and the bloom was still upon the grapes. Messrs Moritzson and Co. 6old to a full attendance of buyers. The trade had made up its mind not to pay the exorbitant prices realised the previousNj^eck. This was principally owing to the lofcal strophe* having come ' down in pricp. Prices realised were from 5d to 6d per lb, and a few choice cases brought 7d, which may be looked upon as full value and satisfactory to thp grower. It will doubtless be remembered that a promise was made by the South Australian Government to the effect that, provided the Id ncr lb duty was re moved, that State could supuly New Zea ' land with i crapes at 4d per lb, 6O that the public could purchase retail at 6d per lb This, it apn-ears, the South Australian shipper is quite prepared to do. nrovided the New Zealand Government will abolish the Id per lb durv. If this is done, it is arcrued, New Zealand will be enabled to command an unlimited quantity of thp finest grapes from South Australia at 4d per lb. whole^ile price. Under existing conditions it does not pay the shipper to evnort at '*"« +Htn sd. On the 25th Mr James expressed his sorrow on seeing- the way in which some auct'oneers handled the firfet trial shipment. The trade was quite prepared to pay sd, but unfortunately (though the shipment was not a heavy one for Dunedin) it was not handled with that circumspection that the

occasion seems to have warranted. The result was that some of the auctioneers >old their grapes at from 3£d to 4d, leaving the shippers at an actual loss of Id. It is possible that further shipments may cease unless 5d can be realised under present conditions. It also has this bad effect: Some of the grapes purchased yesterday in the early morning at 5d to s£d were sold in the afternoon at 3id and 4d to the trade, so last night some of these grapes were for sale in some of the shops at 6d per pound. The South Australian crop this year is not a heavy one. and several Adelaide shippers have refused to operate, as they are able to realise lid per lb in Adelaide and 2d per lb clear in New South Wales. wLile 3^d and 4-d per lb in New Zealand cnlv nets them from id to Id per lb. The oharges to South Australian shippers are as follow : —

THE INVERCARGILL SHIPMENT. INVERCARGILL, February 25. The 24001b of South Australian grapes, which were received in good condition, met with spirited sale to-day. Prices ranged from 6£d to 9fd per lb early, and in the afternoon reached Is.

Cost of case Three pounds of granulated cork, at 2d Railage from Adelaide to Melbourne, f.0.b.) Melbourne agency . . Freight in cold storage Duty, Id per lb , Cartage and harbour dues at Dunedin Selling commission Total, 7s sd, equals 3d per lb. R. 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 d0 6 n i* 6 6 2 0