IN A BAD WAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 69, 23 March 1931, Page 4

IN A BAD WAY.

POVERTY BAY FARMERS.

DROUGHT AND LOW PRICES.

SHEEP GIVEN AWAY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

GISBORNE, Saturday. Drought conditions, prevailing for several months, have suffered no change, and the farmer, having to contend with this as well as with low prices, will l on g remember the present season. Some of the high back-country districts hare not experienced a dry season, but the ri-h flats, comprising about 80,000 acres, their adjoining hills, and the extensive coastal pastoral areas, are as bare as a bone In all the yardings at the Gisborne stock sales, a large proportion of the sheep hag shown the effects of the drought, both by lack of condition and the harsh appearance of the wool. It is recognised that most of the crops are a failure, and some of the maize is being fed to the cows. Much of this crop had to be sown a second time as the first sowing was a failure. That which was established with the first sowing may give returns, but even they, while looking well at a distance, are, on close inspection, lacking the usual luxuriant growth. Dairying in the drought area is now negligible, and many of the cows have been kept going by the topping of willows. The small farmer on the flats usually relies on early lambs to give him an appreciable income, but, having no feed, has been unable to stock up with breeding ewes.

There has been a good deal of export in both sheep and cattle, by road, to the Waikato, and this is still in evidence. It is an endeavour to realise something better in values than the local sales can give, but the stock sent on these trips has not always been the best, and a good deal of reliance seems to be placed on their improving in condition on the journey.

The Addington market, contrary to the custom of recent years, has generally been left alone. It was anticipated that,.with the lessened exodus of sheep from the district, the local sales would show heavier yardings than usual, but the contrary has been the case. The two largest sales have yarded 17,000 and 14,000 sheep, subsequent sales running from 7000 to 8000, while in a normal season several sales yard from 20,000 to 25,000. It is difficult to state with certainty the reason for this, but the opinion of those who move amongst stock seems to be that the sheep are being held on the stations, because, owing to their lack of condition, it would hardly be profitable, at the ruling prices, to pay drovers' fees to take them to market, and also because a break in the weather would mean better prices.

Reports are heard of stock being slaugh' tered in some places as the easiest way of getting rid of them, but your correspondent has, on inquiry, been unable to confirm this. There have, however, been instances where sheep have been given away.

Freezing Works Busy,

The freezing works, with a board of over 60 butchers, are going at full pressure, and there is difficulty in securing dates without delay. The destruction of the Wairpa works by fire has resulted in sheep from that district coming to the Gisborne works, and approximately 20,000 have already gone into the chambers. These sheep average about a fortnight on the road, and as that means considerable loss in condition, the pickers are only taking really prime quality. Judging on the condition of these on arrival at Gisborne, which is decidedly good, they must have been a credit to their district when they were drafted there.

Old Ewes '/4d a Pound.

The problem of what to do with the old ewe, with failing mouth and not mucb condition, that is almost valueless to-day, has been to a large extent solved "by t ne freezing works taking them for canning. The price paid is %d a pound, which relieves the owner of his burden and places a few pence in his pocket. It has been stated that the works are doing a great service to the country in getting rid ol this undesirable stock, but it is probably true that a greater number than usual ot low-mouthed ewes will go to the ram this year in an endeavour to get a good return in the future from a sheep with practically no present value. The result may be that next season will show an increased number of the unDrofitable potter.

The rainfall in Gisborne for the last three months totalled 1.62 inches, the previous season's record for the same time being 10.66 inches. Almost all vegetables on sale for many weeks have been imported from outside districts. Apple crops are below standard, and citrus trees are, in many cases, wilting and shedding their leaves.