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Imported Fruit. The following figures, obtained from the Customs Department, show the quantity of fresh fruit and fruit products imported into the Dominion during the year. The previous year's figures are quoted for comparison.

Inspection of Imported Fruit, Plants, and Vegetables. The Fruil Inspectors stationed at the five ports of inspection—viz., Auckland, Wellington, Christchureh, Dunedin, and Bluff—report that the bulk of the fruit, plants, &c., imported during the year arrived in good order and condition. There were, of course, several lines which opened up in an unsatisfactory state, the fruit being very second-grade stuff. Several consignments of Tasmanian apples were of poor quality. Apples from America and. Canada arrived, in excellent condition. There has been a big increase in the quantity of tomatoes received from Rarotonga. The fruit was of good quality and opened up in satisfactory order. Several lines of bananas from Fiji were of very poor quality, being small in size and apparently only half-grown. It was found necessary to condemn and destroy a number of consignments of oranges on account of their being infected with fruit-fly maggot. Fruit and plants infected with live scale, mealy bug, &c, had to be fumigated before being allowed to land. The following is a summary of all fruits, plants, &c, imported at the ports of entry in the Dominion during the year, the previous year's figures being also given for comparison :—

Viticulture and Winemaiung. There has been no increase during the year in the area under vineyards, which stands at 454 acres. The number of vinehouses throughout the Dominion is estimated at 850, being a slight increase on last year's figures. Owing to the unfavourable weather experienced in a number of districts the crop of outdoor-grown grapes was lighter than that of the previous year. This resulted in a smaller quantity of wine being produced. Nevertheless, appro.ximately, 85,000 gallons were manufactured, which at a conservative estimate of 2s. 6d. per gallon represents a value of £10,625. There is an increasing demand for New-Zealand-made wines. The Beekeeping Industry. 1 am pleased to report that the beekeeping industry is still progressing at a very satisfactory rate. The number of persons taking up this means of a livelihood has considerably increased, and

1916-17. L016-16. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. £ Fruit, fresh, dutiable .. .. 3,761,462 lb. 36,699 „ free .. .. .. 24,015,296 lb. 148,396 „ bottled and preserved .. 188,161 doz. 47,482, „ dried .. .. 10 710,667 1b. 225,806 Lemon and orange peel in brine .. 587,627 lb. 3,690 Fruit-pulp and partially preserved fruit 63,545 lb. I ,096 Totals .. .. .. | .. 463,169 I 3,115,1031b. 19,504,3491b. 178,297 doz. 13,227,0361b. 857,6,57 lb. 55,5651b. £ 33,334 120.066 39,301 200,102 5,638 950 399,391

Fruit. Plant; Port of Entry. Total. Destroyed. Fumigated. Reshipped. Total. __ _ :_ | 1916-17. Cases. Cases. Cases. Cases. Paekages. Auckland .. 395,637 128 4,700 I 109 31,789 Wellington .. 157,189 1,701 260 246 50,380 Christchureh .. 64,782 282 258 .. 2,047 Dunedin .. 51,561 1,097 [ 27 2 9,087 Bluff .. .. 9,857 100 | 70 I 1 1915-16 Auckland .. 311,483 840 5,735 170 14,071 Wellington .. [137,522 662 2,252 471 21,026 Christohuroh .. ; 69,806 851 | 673 575 1,824 Dunedin .. i 55,932 515 j 628 249 5,085 Bluff .. .. 7,346 6 I 57 40 1,735 s, Vegetables, &c. ,, , B ] Grand ! Total of Destroyed. Fumigated. PiUjka » >s - ; Paekages. Paekages. 168 27 427,426 582 .. 207,569 19 3 66,829 29 6 60,648 9,8,58 6 .. 325,551 9 .. 162,548 10 .. 71,630 28 I 61,017 9,081 I _. 1 I