Ripe Oranges—£6,000 Loss

NEW ZEALAND taxpayers prob ably lost £6,000 on 6,000 cases of oranges which arrived in Auckland by the Waihemo in June from Rarotonga.

There had been difficulty in estimating the vessel’s time of arrival, holidays intervened during the loading, consequently the oranges were over-ripe when unloaded. They were sold at special auction for about half normal prices, the tax payer standing the loss because pro ducers received the guaranteed price once the oranges were on the water.

Waihemo is not equipped to carry fruit in cooler space, but she usually lands her cargo in good condition if it is not too ripe when shipped, and there are no delays.