The Orange Grower's Dream

By Tukapa Koko

IHAD a remarkable dream the other night brought on, no doubt by having to wait a week or so for the IMD’s local plenipotentiary to pay-out for oranges shipped by a recent steamer.

I was, it seemed, the happy possessor of the very last orange of the season, for which the NZ Government, being terrific ally short of fruit, had sent a special ship.

At the request, on bended knees, of a Chief Inspector of Inspectors, supported by a Board of Control to Control Con trollers, I, after much persuasion, agreed to ship my fruit.

Wherefore, I graded my orange, sized it, wrapped it in hygienic paper, packed it in a case of approved dimensions and permitted material, had it stamped, certi fied, prepared for shipping, examined, in spected, re-examined, signed and counter signed for, checked, and, finally, placed upon a canoe, with intent of its being taken across the reef out to the waiting seamer, where the Ministry of Supply, the Board of Control aforesaid. Messrs. Nash, Fraser, etc., anxiously awaited the safe bestowal aboard of the all-important yellow globe.

This done, the skipper of the steamer prepared for departure.

But I had neglected one slight formality still remaining, and a Special Commis sioner was sent ashore, while the ship waited, to obtain my signature to the final clearance, which was printed in small type upon a docket, the topmost of a bookful, all having carbon-papers between the sheets. And, by some quirk of fate, instead of signing and be-damned, I read the small-type part of the docket. On doing so, I could not “see my way,” as lawyers say, to conclude the deal (and take the proffered twopence-ha’penny), for this is what the conditions of sale proved to be; “The IMD hereby receives, accepts, takes delivery of and otherwise conveys to itself all proprietary, hereditary, regu lative, operative and conglomerative rights in and to the goods conveyed (to wit, one orange, ex Mangaia Island, situated in and of the archipelago, NZ SE Pacific territory, known and designated as Cook Islands).

“The conveyor of the first part shall cede, dispose and vend to the purchaser of the second part all right and interest, with all and singular appertaining and attached thereto, including skin, juice, pips, aroma, and all or any description of other appurtenance inherent or

accidental to the product herein de scribed, which, subsequent to the signing of these presents by the conveyor of the first part (he being not an insane person in law, a minor, or a subject of any foreign prince or alien government) shall be deemed to have become the pro perty of the purchaser, with full right to sub-let, lease, vend, sell or otherwise dispose, in person or by agent, of the goods (viz. and to wit, One Only Orange, produce of Mangaia Island). Upon the signature aforesaid of the party of the first part being appended hereunto, and countersigned with the signature of the party of the second part, also designated the purchaser, the sale shall be deemed complete. (Stamp duty payable, two pence.”) Well, there was I, on the beach with the special Commissioner, who held out the receipt-book aforesaid for me to append my signature, the same being my name written with a pencil of dubious point, upon the docket described, to be thereinafter considered a total quittance.

But, somehow, I lost my enthusiasm, like the Scots bridegroom! It seemed such a devil of a lot to sign-to for so darned little (tuppence-ha’penny, to wit).

“Oh, damn it!” exploded I, “let them have it as a gift!”

The Special Commissioner regarded me gravely: but his departmental training had schooled him against commenting upon any circumstances, condition, state or thing. He left me, and went aboard the steamer, where an anxious group awaited the outcome. There was a brief conclave. Then with a wailing cry, Mr.

Nash jumped overboard into the sad sea waves; Mr. Fraser fainted, the Boards and the Commissions burst, en bloc, into tears; and, to crown all, the “Maui Pomare” ex ploded with a mighty bang.

After which, I woke up!

Mr. J. Colclough, who has been Sydney secretary of Placer Development Ltd. since its inception retired on October 31 for health reasons. Mr. B. A. Court has been appointed to fill the vacancy as Sydney secretary. Mr. Colclough retains his interests as a director of the sub sidiary companies. During his long and successful association with BGD, Mr.

Colclough made many friends in New Guinea, who will wish him happiness in the quieter life he has now chosen.