FIREBLIGHT OUTBREAK

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 221, 7 December 1927, Page 16

FIREBLIGHT OUTBREAK

SITUATION IN HAND “A COWARDLY ATTACK” A motion expressing appreciation of the services rendered by Mr. W. H. Rice, chief orchard inspector at Auckland, .and his staff, in dealing with an • o-utbreak of fireblight, was carried gt a meeting of Henderson fruitgrowers last evening. Satisfaction was expressed at the steps being taken to control thfe outbreak. . . . . That they had the fireblight just about beaten was the opinion expressed by the president, Mr. C. H. Scott. Mr. G. A. Parr, who in the absence of Mr. Rice, on sick leave, had reported on the district, said that he had seen fireblight in several orchards in Avondale South, one case on the New Lynn boundary, and also in Henderson. Mr. Parr considered that other outbreaks would possibly occur, and advocated further activity until the end of January. Mr. H. S. Izard, the Auckland member of the Fruit Control Board, said that when fireblight was discovered in the district, some growers had become alarmed, and by letters to the departmental headquarters, had placed Mr. Rice in an undeservedly unenviable position. “It was a cowardly and undeserved attack,” stated Mr. Izard. Mr. Rice reported that the outbreak had not extended beyond where it was 10 or 12 days ago. He emphasised the necessity for constant vigilance to guard against further outbreaks.