by “Waikawa”
p. 29 · Read in the full issue
Bananas And Cocoa
Beans
First Samoan Shipment to N.Z. by “Waikawa”
From Our Own Correspondent.
Apia, Jan. 21.
THE “Waikawa,” due to leave Apia on January 17, with the first shipment of 4,000 cases of bananas for the Auck land market, was unfortunately delayed nearly a full day owing to the inclemency of the weather. The quantity of bananas offering for shipment was somewhat smaller than usual, as growers have not yet adapted themselves to the new arrangements providing for two banana shipments a month. However, a full shipment was at last procured.
Special care was exercised by the inspectors to ship only fruit of excellent quality, which should well stand the dif ferent conditions of transit. The voyage direct to Auckland takes only six days, compared with 11 days by the “Maui Pomare.” It is confidently expected that the bananas will reach Auckland in good condition and they will find a ready market there, as lately Auckland prices for bananas have been exceptionally high owing to a dearth of fruit offered.
The “Waikawa” also took a shipment of 800 bags of Samoan cocoabeans for the New Zealand and Australian mar kets. A very good crop of cocoabeans has been picked during the last few months, though lately the incessant rains have caused quite a lot of damage on plantations, and a large proportion of cocoapods turned black. The season’s crop, however, is nearly finished.