THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15489, 17 January 1916, Page 10

THE COUNTRY.

news and notes. rich harvestsGIRLS AS FARM LABOURERS. SUNNY HAWKE'S BAY. Wellington -people who travelled the East Coast, via the Wairarapa, into the rich lands of Hawkc's Bay during the summer season of last year, and passed through miles of country from which every blade of green had been burned: where the crops had failed through want of water: where the oats were so dwarfed and thin they were not worth the cutting: where the broad lands were bare of sheep and cattle because there was no feed for them, and where lire-guards for miles stretched their block-lines as protection against the burning rays of the sun—this year view a very different scene. From Wellington to Hawke's Bay, to Napier and bevond. lie rich grain fields, uncut and in the stook, wheat and oats and barley, many bushels to the acre, and, in the Maori districts, between Waipukurau and Napier, waving, rustling fields of maize promise abundant harvests. Everywhere the cattle and the sheep wander contentedly in the lush grasses; many of the farms arc under-stocked. In the previous year sheep and cattle were almost given away, at the present time they arc to be bought, but at a price. The grain has ripened early f-r.- the most part. In somo parts, of the Wairarapa many farmers were able to cut aucl stack the grain before Christinas, but others, especially in the Hawke's Bay districts, were not so fortunate. The shortage of farm labour has become almost an embarrassment owing to the war (says the Wellington ''Post"). In the Waipukurau and Onga districts alone over 300 young men had left for camp in the past few months, and in some eases the grain bad been lying in stock for weeks owing to the scarcity of labour.

The labour difficulty, however, lias been considerably minimised by the employment of yirls, who, like their sisters in the 'towns, have come to the rescue, but this time not with pen or typewriter, but with a hayrake. The farmers employing such labour express themselves entirely satisfied with the results. The girls are paid at the rate of Is Gd an hour, and usually work in four-hour shifts. Some of them make excellent cheques, and thoroughly enjoy the unusual work. They are employed principally in stooking, stacking, and hav-niaking. and have, in many cases, proved themselves excellent substitutes for their "brothers under arms."

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS, - » A very line crop of 50 bushels to the acre of solid Tuscan maj* be seen at Mr Penny's. Springs, Lincoln. This is the result of intense cultivation. Last year the same paddock produced 81 bushels of peas to the acre and twelve tons of potatoes. Maori shearers operating at Ruanui Station, Rangitikei, during the season just completed have put up some highly creditable figures. Working from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.. fourteen machines turned out sixty bales on one day, showing an average of 230 sheep per man.

Mr R. E. Beattie has demonstrated that it is possible to wheat in the Woodvillc district (says the "Napier Telegraph"). At the present time he is harvesting one of the finest _ wheat crop's possible to imagine. It will certainly return him anything up to 30 to 60 bushels to the acre.

A discussion on the question of released meat took place at the meeting of the Provincial . Executive of the Auckland Farmers' Union on Thursday last. It was nointcd out that several large firms in England, who sold direct to consumers, were compelled to buy through other agents or brokers at an advanced rate. The secretary, Mr A. Schmitt. instanced tho case of one firm, which, he said, owned 1000 butchershops in the United Kingdom. They had made no profit during the first year of the war. and only 4 per cent, the. year before. Tt was evident that they were not exploiting tboir consumers, who. for the most part, were of the working class. If the farmers in Xew Zealand nominated this firm to receivc their'meat at Home, it would enable it to pass it on to the consumers at a minimum rate. Tt was decided (reports the "Herald") to recommend farmers to send thejr. meat to the fii'-n in question. '

The present rates of auctioneers' commissions on stock sales in Auckland have been the source of numerous complaints from farmers in the Auckland Province. At a recent meeting of the executive of the Auckland Farmers' Union, it was decided to ascertain the rates charged in otlier parts of the Dominion. These were presented at a meeting of the executive held on Thursday. and they showed a wide difference between the rates prevailing in the North and South Islands. Tho rates of commission are:—South Canterbury, grain and stock, 2* per cent.; Southland, grain and stock. 2J per cent.; pedigree stock, 10 per cent.; Marlborough, sheen and lambs, 2J per cent., stud stock and pigs, £ per cent.; Wellington, stock, sheep, or cattle. 4 per cent., horses and nigs o per cent- ; Auckland, fat stock 3:1 per cent., other stock 4 to •"» per cent 1 . The members expressed the opinion that the first step to take to lower the rate was for the farmers to

secure control of the salcyards. A resolution in these terms was passed. A crop to which special interest attaches is one of Greenes Rust Resistance oats, grown at Fairhall bv Mr J. W. Pavnter (says the "'Marlborouch Expres-s"). The variety has been developed bv the XeW Zealand Agricultural Department from a stalk which asserted its superiority in a field that was devastated by rust. Mr .Payntor obtained a small quantity of the seed, and last venr threshed 40 bushels from its growth. Sowing his return, ho has produced this season 1100 bushels, the yield being at the rate of 39 bushels per acre. Mr Healv's machine threshed 1000 bushels in "1 hours. Considering the dryness of the season, the yield is remarkably eood: and the results obtained from the new variety are the more satisfactory as the crop was practically free from rust, though neighbouring fields of white oats were affected bv the disease to a considerable extent. The oat, being a thin-skinned one with a larev* kernel, commends itself for its ouality as well as for it'; healthiness. An early sower, it escaped completely tbc attacks of the caterpillar.

KAIAPOT. The Northern Building: and Loan Society holds its thirty-third annual meeting in a few days. During the year about sixteen shares have matured, each shareholder coming in for £'30 as the result of his investment. Messrs T. ft. Leithead and R. M. Wright, the retiring directors, are eligible for reelection. Tbe lattc- was first elected a director in ISS3. Thefe is an extraordinary vacancy caused by Mr ('. F. Brigbting having enlisted, and Mr J. Lowthian Wilson, the retiring manager, has been asked to contest the election. The auditors who retire, and are eligible for reelection, pre Messrs A. T. Clark and R. M. Wright. PREBBLETON. Mi- D. A. Withers., of Prebbleton, lias three sons enlisted. Sergeant G. Withers went with the Main- Body, another is with the Fifth Reinforcements, and a third. Robert, after being rejected twice, has undergone a varicose vein operation, and lias now been accepted for the Mounted Rifles with the 12ths. A letter has been received from Sergeant (■'. Withers, dated from Woodlawii Hospital, 8.R.C.5., Fielden Park. West Didsbur.v, Manchester, dated December oth, stating that though suffering from a compound fracture of the left leg and two bullet wounds in the right leg, lie is progressing satisfactorily. GLENTUXNEL. A very enjoyable evening was spent bj' the residents of the South Malvern' and Hoinebush districts on Friday, when the employees of the Homebush Estate and most of the residents of the surrounding distiicts, were entertained by Mr and Mrs John Deans to celebrate the birth of ■ a son and heir. For the occasion the large shed at the pottery works had been cleared and tastefully decorated with greenery, and this made an ideal hall, and was not found too large for the number of guests who were present. ,Mr Rollinson, on behalf of those present, asked Mr and Mrs Deans to accept a silver mug and speon.for their: son, JohnHumfney, and in doing so spoke of the cordial relations which have" always existed between the members of the Deans family and the residents of the district. In responding. Mr Deans thanked'thoso present for their gift, and expressed the hope that his heir would still keep up tlio family traditions," and' hoped that those, present would spend an enjoyable evening. The evening passed very pleasantly with music, games, and dancing. A splendid bonfire, which was visible over a wide area, was lit during the evening. The singing of "Auld Lang Sync," and. the National Anthem brought one of the most pleasant entertainments that has been held in the district for a long time to a close in the early hours of the morning.

ASHBUETOX. Late on Saturday afternoon a collision took place at the corner of- East and Burnett streets, Ashburton, between a spring- dray driven by Mr "W. H. Grainger, of Lynfield, Hinds, and a Rig driven by Mrs Munning. Mrs Mtinning was thrown out and badly shaken, and her gin was completely smashed up. Mr Grainger escapcd ■without injury. A number .of anglers and others met at Haketere on Thursday evening to hid farewell to Mr and Mrs A. McNally, caretakers at the fishing-huts at the river mouth.. Mr McXally having been transferred to tho -position of Acclima-tisation-Society's ranger at. Ashburton. Mr and Mrs MeXallv were presented with two Morris chairs, and Mrs Morally with a silver afternoon tea service. r . '