31

A.—3

Mangaia. Arrived at Mangaia at 5 a.m. on the 13th September, 1909. Owing to the reef being unworkable tit Oneroa -usual place of shipment—the steamer proceeded to a more northerly point, and the fruit was conveyed in canoes and on horseback to this point. An inspection of the fruit was duly carried out, with the n-sult that, owing to decaying fruit, several lines wen- repacked. Two lines wen- also found to lie infected with fruit-fly larvae. To summarise: The Mangaian oranges generally were overripe, and, in my opinion, unfit for export to New Zealand. I must condemn the fruit-boxes used in fruit-export. Instead of sawn timber, they are made of roughly trimmed wood, and, no matter how carefully they may be handled, the roughly trimmed timber must bruise the fruit and set up decay. The bananas were badly packed; several cases on being examined were found to contain inferior fruit. In fact, I must report unfavourably on the Mangaia fruit as packed for export. Atiu. Was visited early next morning, and the oranges for export were duly inspected. The general appearance of the fruit was g I, boxes being of sawn timber, and, with the exception of about three hundred cases, the fruit was wrapped in paper. Although in favour of wrapping, I think that unless ihe work of packing and wrapping is done under good supervision it is liable to abuse, especially a Igst inexperienced Native's, as il affords an opportunity of packing inferior and perhaps decaying fruit without much fear of detection. Still, taking the Atiu fruit as a whole, it was in fair condition, and no diseased (fly or scale) fruit was noticeable. Mauke. This fruit was brought from Mauke in the s.s. " Vaite," and transhipped at Atiu to the s.s. " Tallin.'."' After completing an inspection of Atiu fruit I boarded the "Vaite." The Mauke oranges were wrapped in paper, and packed in boxes of sawn timber. Decaying oranges were noticeable, and for this reason 1 cannot report very favourably on the Mauke consignments. Aitutaki. Landed at Aitutaki early on the morning of the loth. The fruit for shipment was distributed in the paeking-sheds on the beach. The appearance of the fruit was fair, and care was evidently taken in the packing, as not one decaying orange was found in the cases opened. 1 am pleased to report favourably on Aitutaki fruit as packed for export on occasion of my visit. Gt neral Rt marks. The Mangaiana are by far the worst offenders regarding ihe condition of the fruit which he\ pack for export. I very much regret this is so. They are evidently a hardworking and industrious people, and deserve to receive good returns for the fruit which they ship; but this they can uever hope to gel unless there is a very great improvement in the condition of the fruit packed. For instance, one line which was turned out for repacking contained close on 50 per cent, of decaying oranges. In a case like this there can be I xcuse for the packer. How could he ever expect good returns for such fruit, or even expect ihe shipping company to allow it to be shipped for New Zealand I Again, a line of bananas when turned out for inspection was found lo contain fruit which was no* even half-matured. Thesa were packed ii! the centre of the eases. thus giving the impression that the packer knew he was doing wrong. How could he expect to get good returns! Again, besides very inferior boxes, 1 noticed the consignments, with one or two exceptions, were very badly marked- any dab or appearance of a letter appeared to be sufficient. Now, the other islands can import good box-timber: they also mark their fruit-cases with stencilled letters: why is Mangaia behind in this respect? And this island is one of the most productive in the Croup. I should suggest that ihe Fruit Ordinance at present in opera lion iit Rarotonga he extended lo the other islands of ihe Cook Croup viz.. Mangaia, Mauke. Mitiaro, Atiu. and Aitutaki which are all fruit-exporting islands (clauses 7 and 8 could perhaps he omitted). This would give tin- Inspector power to deal with the consignments of fruit which in his opinion were unfit for export I should also suggest that the Inspector makes periodical visits lo these Islands, and inspects ihe fruit for export. A few visits during the season, ,;| irregular intervals, would, I think, have a g 1 effect, and answer until such time as the Islands are placed under proper control. I feel sure satisfactory arrangements could be made to enable ihe fumigation of Rarotongan fruit to proceed during the Inspector's absence. A. E. Reid, The Resident Commissioner. Cook Islands. fruit Inspector, Cook Islands.

Report or Fruit Inspector. Sir, — Rarotonga, 20th September, 1909. I have the honour to attach herewith my report on fruit industry—investigations and inspections for seasons 1908—9. I have, Sec, A. E. Reid, The Resident Commissioner. Cook Islands. Fruit Inspector, Cook Islands.