The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-04-26

not properly wrapped becomes bruise
and discolored. and unsalable He sug
gested that greater care be exercise,
I'm the wrapping of fruit shipped fron
here. The Bluefields banana has also
very tough skin and arrives In Sai
Francisco by railroad unwrapped. Th,
/ punches stand much higher. the hand,
are farther apart, the fruit is larger ant
ripens up rich yellow color The only
! objection to the Hiio banana is it,
! speckled condition when 1t ripens but
while the appearance of the Bluetields
variety is much better. ii is not as sat.
| isfactory as the Hawaiian banana He
said there was n ready market for the
Hilo banana as long as we were able to
get them into san Francisco dry, with
out spots and properly wrapped. After
! that it was only question of compe-
tition' between buyers as to getting the
best prices.
At present the shipments had been
so small as to make no appreciable ef-
feet on the market.
The Bluelields banana, which practi-
cally sets the market. stands SLIGO per
bunch at san Francisco for so to so h.
punches, or an average of 3 cts. per lb.
DR.. Holland-Do you find that small
lunches of bananas sell ~ well as larg-
er punches in the San Francisco mar
ket?
Mr.. Lillie-Yes, they sell quite as
well. as some dealers preferrng small
punches as they are easier to dispose
of. But the trouble with shipping small
punches is the latter cannot afford the
forty-five cent freight rate by steamer
and the railroad charges. A 40 lb. bunch
of bananas will not stand the cost of
transportation and yield a profit to the
shipper.
Mr.. Andrews-Then if we were able
to send 80 lb. lunches at one-half the
regular rate, it would be preferable
would it not?
Mr.. Lillie-Yes, the smaller punches,
would find a reader sale and yield a
better return to the shipper, provided
of course we get our fruit to market
in good condition. The Honolulu fruit
is better wrapped and better cared for
on the Honolulu steamers.
The S. S. Alameda is specially fitted
up above and between decks for carry
ing bananas. The slowing of bananas
between decks however often results
in cooking the fruit before it's arrival
Ordinarily the shipments from Homo
lulu arrive in much better shape, but
the last shipment of Hilo bananas by
the S. S. Rosecrans arrived in as fine
a condition as could be desired.
After several conferences with Capt. !
William Matson, l am prepared to say |
that the Matson Navigation Co. will
meet growers with proper transporta-
ton facilities as soon as we can show
our shipments warrant it. AS our ship
ments increase the freight rates will be
reduced, although Captain
Matson claimed the last trip of the
Rosecrans, which carried 1900 punches
from here, resulted in loss to that
vessel.
DR.. Hayes suggested the reduction
Of freight rates on smaller punches,
which he believed would insure larger
shipments and consequent profit to the
steamer.
A Committee on Transportation con-
listing of Mr.. Furneaux, Mr.. Lambert
md another member to be named were
appointed to confer with the Matson
Navigation Co. with reference to mat
ers of transportation, freight rates,
ize and care of bananas. 1t is believed
! sliding scale of freight charges can
'e secured as prevails now on the Ho-
lolulu steamers.-Hilo Tribune.