Orange Paradox.

Big Fruit Not Wanted.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, July 17.

IT is a strange thing that a large num ber of oranges grown at Rarotonga are rejected for shipment to New Zealand on account of what is termed “over-size.” The oranges go through a process of machine-grading—grading as to size. The number of oranges to a case decreases very rapidly as the size increases; so that from a retailing viewpoint the larger-sized orange is uneconomical and thus is thrown out.

These oranges are very juicy, but the quantity available has always been far in excess of what could be consumed locally.

Thousands of them in the past have gone into big bisicuit tins to produce that favourite and intoxicating native beverage “bush-beer.” In fact, at times, it could be said that “bush-beer" making ranked as the great secondary industry of the islands.

But a year or so ago the Cook Islands Trading Company established an orange-juice factory, utilising these luscious “over-sized” oranges—the very best of the fruit. That company con tinues, in season, to make and export orange juice, and this year the firm of A. B. Donald has established a similar factory.

One of the most enterprising growers on the island is Mr. R. McKegg, manager of the Cook Islands Trading Company. Mr. McKegg’s experiments are directed to producing a greater variety of citrus fruits, with the object of finding out which type of orange will bear best, having regard to carrying qualities. He has extended his activities and enquiries to outside sources, prin cipally California. Some thousands of cuttings (imported) have been planted at his plantation on the south side of the island.

The partnership between Messrs. G.

Klinkmueller and T. Kronfeld, of Apia, Samoa, carrying on business under the title of Klinkmueller and Kronfeld, as solicitors and legal agents, has been dissolved recently and Mr. Kronfeld has resigned from the partnership. Mr. E. T.

Pleasants, a young Auckland lawyer,, has entered into partnership with Mr.

Klinkmueller, and the firm will be known in future as Klinkmueller and Pleasants.