ORCHARDIST HONOURED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 791, 11 October 1929, Page 7

ORCHARDIST HONOURED

GROWTH OF AUCKLAND’S FRUIT TRADE RETIREMENT OF MR. W. H. RICE Fruitgrowers, nurserymen and horticulturists from all parts of the district attended a dinner held in the Farmers’ Trading Company tea rooms last evening t.o farewell Air. AY. H. Rice, who is retiring from the position of chief district orchard instructor for the Department of Agriculture at Auckland to enter private business. Opportunity was also taken to welcome Mr. D. Pa j'liter, formerly of Christchurch, his successor. Mr. S. W. House, president of the Auckland Fruitgrowers’ Council, presided over an attendance of over 150. The regret of Auckland fruitgrowers at losing Mr. Rice was voiced by the chairman. He was not the first good man to go, and it seemed that the time had arrived when there should be a revision of salaries in the department. Mr. Rice had given 16 years to the Department, and he would always be remembered, especially for the work he had done in connection with the opening up of the South American market for New Zealand fruit. When Mr. Rice came to Auckland four years ago the province was exporting S,OOO cases of fruit: last year the figures totalled over 80,000, and indications were that there would be further growth in the immediate future. HELPED EXPANSION Mr. Rice had helped considerably in the expansion of the industry. Mr. House presented Mr. Rice with a gold watch suitably inscribed: Mrs. Rice was given a handbag also inscribed. Auckland, said Mr. Rice in reply, had taught the rest of the Dominion the principles of successful export and standardisation. The average price paid to Auckland growers last year had been Is 6d a case above the general average price elsewhere. The need of departmental orchards where young men could be trained and where refresher courses could be held for instructors was stressed by Mr. J. A Campbell, director of horticulture, in proposing the health of Mr. Rice’s successor, Mr. Paynter. Good wishes to Mr. Rice and Mr. Paynter were expressed also by Mrs. G. A. Green, Mr. F. G. Firth, the local member of the Fruit Control Board, Mr. W. J. Rodger, Auckland director of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, Dimited, Mr. J. W. Emslie, president of the Auckland branch of the Horticultural Trades’ Association. Mi*. N. R. W. Thomas, secretary of the Auckland council of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, Mr. W. Shearer, president of the Retail Fruiterers’ Association. Mr. H. Turner and Mr. G. S. Radley, on behalf of the Fruit Auctioneers’ Association, and Mr. TV. J. Purdie.