FRUIT EXPORT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2974, 6 August 1891, Page 4

FRUIT EXPORT.

Duking the last few months various reports have reached us in regard to the sale of New Zealand apples in London. The most satisfactory returns were obtained by the Styx Apple Company, of Christchurch, whose shipment sold at from 20s to 2os per case ; and again Mr Blythe, of Auckland, appeared to have secured satisfactory prices for hia lot. We now come nearer home. An orchardist in this district has placed at our disposal particulars of a shipment which left Waikato about the middle of March, and was despatched by the Mamari. As will be seen, the net return of Is IOJd per case for apples is not particularly encouraging, but against this there are many things to consider. In the first place we have to ascertain what varieties of apples cau be produced to mature sufficiently early to reach the Home market at the right time, and again what varieties, when they reach their destination, are likely to command the best prices. Judging from the prices realised by the shipment under notice, fruit of an attractive appearance seems most saleable. In this connection we are informed that the names under which some of the varieties were shipped are not the names by which these varieties are known here, For instance, the Golden Winter Pearmain and Royal Pearmain of shipment are known here as the Hokianga and Simons Winter, respectively, and it favours the statement that showy apples are the most saleable, when one of these sells at a higher figure than the wellknown Newtown Pippin, a variety of all others popular in the English markets. From this price of Is IOJd per case, there is in addition to be deducted the cost of wrapping paper and the labour of packing and cartage to the railway station ; deducting theso charges, a very small price indeed will be left for the grower. To make the fruit growing industry in any way popular, at least four shillings per case should be returned to the grower. We have every reason to look forward to such a consummation, and this we fully anticipate will be obtained by a considerable reduction in the charges for transit in eool chambers as the trade developes,aud in the advanced knowledge of shippers in being able to determine the. varieties and the right season to ship. That the fruit industry has a great development before it, we have do reason to doubt. Care on the part of the shippers, and reduced charges consequent upon tho increase of the trade, will undoubtedly bring this to pass. Extract of London Lettkh, dated 14th May, 1891. ArtLics. —The Mamari arrived iu dock on the 10th inst., and special efforts were made to place upon the market the consignments brought by her before the arrival of the P.allarat, which was due this week with 25,000 cases from Tasmania. In this we were successful and lots 4036 of Messrs Keeling and Hunts catalogue of yesterday represent 20 cases received through you on account of a Waikato Client. These were in good condition, but were not very well assorted, the sizes being very much mixed in the eases. Satisfactory prices were, however made

for the various lots,.vhieh would no doubt have been better, if the sorting had been properly performed. We haud you special and general reports from the brokers employed, which deal fully with the ships ments by the above steamer, and we would refer you to paragraph 4 of the said general report for information regarding the best method of assorting the fruit. (iENKHAI, Rm>KT ON APPLES, EX MAMAIU. 1. Dear Sirs : Referring to your favor of the 11th inst., we, beg to inform you that the 4 cases II mark therein mentioned as uupapered turned out in perfectly sound condition. Of the CB Hutton brand, we did not find any cases totally nnpapered, although in sound condition, equal in this respect to those papered. We must strongly advise your friends to paper each fruit in white tissue. It looks to very much better when opened as a sample for sale, and in many cases in the event of any ships bringing the cargoes in soft or bad condition, the paper would to an extent tend to prevent the rot or damage spreading. 2. The case of pears reached us in very bad condition, this in all probability owing to their soft nature, as we are receiving pears both from South Australia and Tasmania fairly sound,

3. The quality of the fruit was excellent, and of good size, mauy being equal in appearance to the Tasmanians, which this scasou are rather small, but as the varieties coining from the two places are so different it ia hardly fair to draw comparisons as regard* size. The New Zealands thia year are the larger. Tasmania sends up very few of the kinds sent per Mamari, they yet producing few Russets or Reinette du Canada.

4 We think more attention should bo paid to sorting, say into two sizes, the the smaller ones being packed by themselves and market No 2. This only when the parcels are of fair sizo as regards quality.

5. Aa regards kinds, any good showy well-colored apple ineeta the demand at the present time. There ia a good demand for " bold fruit" green, such ns Stone Pippins and Symond's Winter etc., which to a certain extent resemble, the French Crabs., New York Pippins, Alexander* and Alfristona from Tasmania, and the Cleopatra (green and yellow) from Adelaide. From the latter place we are receiving thia season some good Stoae Pippins'. 6. Boxes : Those received per Marnari are in our opinion very good and cannot be improved upon. The size is correct and sufficient space ia left for the natural moisture from the fruit to evaporate. The piece of wood placed outside at each end is of advantage for when the cases are properly stored, the outside piece of one box on the outside piece of another gives a certain space between the two boxes and allows of a more free circulation of the cold air eo necessary to frnit, on such a long voyage and passing through such a variety of temperature.

Memo.—Advise shippers to Bend good showy fruit, well selected and packed, the smaller by themselves marked No. 2. ship in cool chamberata even temperature of from 45 to 50 deg ; it should not range above or below. This is purely a question for the Engineer in charge. Prices will of course depend upon quantity arriving from Tasmania, South and West Australia, and New Zealand, they should arrive here under ordinary circumstances during May and June, avoiding the latter half of the latter month, if our season should be an early one for soft fruits of our own production which, of course we cannot speak about nntil our own Spring Bets in. Account Sales or Twenty Casks of Apples kx Mamari, Sold at Pdblio Sale in London, 13th May, 1891 £ s. d. 3 boxes Golden Russet, at 8s ... 1 4 0 8 boxes Newtown Pippins, at 105... 4 0 0 7 boxes G.W. Pearmain, at 10s 6d 3 13 6 2 boxes Royal Pearmain, at 'Js 6d 0 19 0 Total 9 1G 6 Charges. Stamp duty at 3d per cent. ...001 Duck, wharf and landing charges, sampling, porterage and fire insurance 012 6 Factorage, 2 per cent, on £9 lGs 6d 0 3 11 Commission, 2£ per cent, on £0 l(is Gd 0 4 11 Total 115 To credit of current account on 23rd May 815 1 Summary of Returns for Twenty Cases ok Apples, Sold in London kx Mamari £ s. d. By net proceeds twenty cases of apples as per account sales ... 815 1 To net cost of twenty apple cases 13 5 Freight on 1120 pounds at Id per lb 4 13 4 Primage on £4 13s 4d, at 10 per cent 0 9 5 Railage 0 9 7 Wharfage 0 1 0 Insurance, £15 at 15 per cent ...028 Fire risk and atamps on policy ... 0 1 0 Bills of lading and Customs entry 0 7 0 Total charges 6 17 0 Net proceeds 1 18 1