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Storage With the very large crop, cool-storage space was at a premium, especially in February, March, and April. This was mainly due to an accumulation of dairy-produce brought about by shipping delays, particularly in Auckland, where cool storage did not become available until the 10th May, and Wellington, where space was not available until 20th April. The result was that much of the fruit which was destined for longkeeping to supply the markets in the later months of the year did not get into cool store with minimum delay. Another factor which delayed the storage of fruit for the domestic market was that .available space was being utilized to hold fruit awaiting export. Export Arrangements were made between New Zealand and British Governments for the •export of 1,000,000 cases of apples to the United Kingdom, whilst, in addition, it was .arranged to ship up to 25,000 cases of pears to a London firm. All these sales were on an f.o.b. sterling basis. The prices agreed upon were 20s. 6d. per case for Cox's Orange and 12s. 6d. for other varieties of apples, and 15s. 9d. per case for the pears. The final quantities exported were 999,103 cases of apples and 21,942 cases of pears, -of which 22,083 cases were shipped from Auckland, 415,051 from Napier, and 583,911 from Wellington. Mr. J. W. Watson, of the London office of the Marketing Department, arrived in New Zealand on 18th September to report on the season's operations and to have discussions with departmental officers, the Fruit Marketing Council, and the District Fruit Advisory -Committees. Uneconomic Orchard Fund Altogether 153 growers have received assistance from this fund. Payments authorized up to 30th September, 1948, amount to £57,821 ss. 10d., made up of £11,638 13s. 9d. to assist uneconomic orchards, £45,751 18s. to compensate growers for climatic losses, .and £430 14s. Id. to cover administration expenses. The balance in the fund is £42,178 14s. 2d. Apple Dehydration The apple-processing plant at Motueka continued to operate during the period under review, and 4,923,206 lb. of raw fruit was processed, yielding 426,978 lb. of dried product, 234 tons 18 cwt. of peels and cores, 19,000 gallons of apple-pulp, and 43,700 gallons of apple-juice. In addition, experiments were carried out with the dehydration of peas, and 16,530 lb. were produced. This venture proved so successful that it is proposed to extend the operation during the coming season.

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