THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16018, 28 September 1917, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

I NOTES AND NEWS. I ! THE SIIEEP KETUttSS. i i • ; IN'CREASE OF -iS:2/23G. i . The first interim return of sheep ' taken on April SOtb, and published >u •Juno showed a decrease for the Dsnuui ion of 31.5'2 ; 3. A second return now | issued, with complete figures, shows ! I'nnt instead of a decrease there was an incror.se of over the previous year. The figures for the different sheep districts are : — Auckland -- «.WU C fS •• :'":?r-C}iaborn« -• t,fl .Villir.gton-West Cos,?t 0,032, -.jo M.-iri borough. NeUor.Wertlasd l,«0Mo9 '•mtorburr-Kaikoara 4.763,999 J.7!b,026 .'.la go-Southland <,773,88-1 4,620,-63 Totals •• 24,783,150 25,270,360 The increase for the North Island <>5'J,329, and docrc-ase for the South !s!/iml 204,093, making a net increaso or the Dominion of -182,233. The numof shoep owvic-rs increased on tho year from 23,181 to 23,380. Ihoro vrincroasrs in owners in p.yucrMisborne of 18-t, Mavlborcuah-Neison-WV-stiand 2-5. Cantcrbury-Kaikoura■ 21-> ind decreases in Auckland of oS. \\el-\inglon-Wcst Coast 149, and Otago and ■j-'Mithland ■ The sheep in the Canterhury-Kai-'-cura district, which also includes the ''!;atha:n Islands, shows a decrease o' •'>l'.sG3. Last voar the Chatham Islands bad «7,655 sheep, and this year 7 A correspondent rcccntly ciKpinvu ttio number of sheen in the Ashburton County. The total for that- county is 3:M.141, as against 811.137 last year. : Tho following return shows the number of the different classes of slioen Ul the Dominion during the past three ; years:— j mio l r| l7. : '-'M-l rams .. 1G.C34 15,114 10.-SI F orit rams *>0.1.7 301.017 318 7G:','270.22i a..i78.-2r:i 13;- crljn- e*n 12.fi15.-M! 12.502.763 »/*»>•>« . TV,. civis .. i..38.2.4fi0 ■ Lambs •• 7,318,143 G,820:04 ( ,l-0,01-' T)CsntoTbury-Kaiitoii:-.'. figure) arc-: Stud rv.ins- 2105, <"1.777 -.Tethers o>«( 856, breeding owes C,748,870, dry ov.es j ISO 363, !uiub 5 1,127,560. The following table shows the n«mI ber of stud sheep on tore:! in the Fiock | iJick, and tho sluvv, of a distinetiv-o breed, but not entered m the i' lock llook :— Si 11:1 I'lcck elio€i). s!ie:p. Merino .. .. 17,18/ *'ro-'o!ia I Lincoln .. .. 40.083 C 8 3,943 | Komney -- ! Uorder Leicester .. 35,902 0i1,*07 ; English Lciccstr .. 24.567 1<3,146 SJircpUiiw .. •• 4,109 02,380 ! .. 20.39* 50,019 Other l.iew-s :■ 26,05< C/-»,--il Totals .. •• 231X03 G,a3;,433 The number of crosabirds and others not oth&l'wke enumerated is 18,335,222.

PYNE AND CO.'S REVIEW. We have received from Messrs Pyno and Co. a copy of their annual review of the local wool, livo stock, frozen meat, land, and produce markets for i the- season 1916-17. Although in a somewhat reduced form, it is nerei tholess full of interesting and useful'information to farmers and pastoralists. Regarding tho last wool soason, it was remarked that while wool valuations under tho Government purchase schenie wore considered a little uneven, tho fluctuations were less than is usually noticeable under public competition, when at times low grade and shabby wools tailed to realise prices proportionate to those paid for super lots. Ihe operations of tho woollen mills in former years wore a great factor in keeping '< super wools at a high level of prices, I but last season tho mills got all th«3y required on a basis of values fixed by tho Government appraisers. At the same time it was considered there was nothing to complain of regarding tho prices paid for the best wools. The most noticeable, and disappointing, feature in connexion with the proceedings was chat the- difference in values between super ,tfools and those of the next grado appeared too great, and was certainly much more than would have been tho case under public competition. Beyond this, and perhaps other slight irregularij ies, owners had, in tho _ opinion of , Messrs Pyne and Co., nothing whatever to complain of in connexion with last season's operations, and appraisers in most instances endeavoured to adjust any such discrepancies as appeared to ! exist. Considerably more wool had passed through brokers' hands (practi- ; tally the whole of tho Dominion clip), and in this increased quantity there had been a largor proportion of merino, mainly from the large back-country stations, representing most of tho wools that in former years were shipped direct, and which it was cxpected to see included in the catalogues in years to come. Generally speaking, the wool •was in good condition, though showing a slight increase in weight per bale. Tho values showed a range of £2 to £3 per bale in advance of the average of the previous season. During the season from November, 1916, to May, 1917, Messrs Pyne and Co. passed through their hands 18,465 bales out of the total of 64,552 bales offered in Christchurch, the latter figures being 9196 more than the average for the three previous seasons. A range of prices given for the past three seasons will show wool growers the advances that have taken place during that period, and various other statistics relating to the New Zealand and wool trade will be found instinctive. A review is given of the live stock markets,'and the necessity is again urged of retaining more of the best young ewes to maintain the status of flocks. Good sheep cannot be bred from second or third-rate ewes, and this is simply what many have been trying to do. Unless more rational methods were observed there was a great chance of having to face a Government mandate in this matter, as in_others, for which farmers will have themselves olono to blame. (Sine© the "Review" was compiled there is evidence that arrangements are being made to reserve more ewe lambs, and particularly has this been so in the case of forward sales of'lambs.) The frozen meat and grain trades are also dealt with, and some useful information is given in connexion therewith.

JOTTINGS FOR FAKMEKS.

At the Brisbane (Queensland) Show Mr A. C. Thomson, an ex-South Canterbury farmer, won a large number of prizes in the fat sheep classes, ineluding all those in the Leicester section. The Hon. J. D. Ormond won first prize for the heaviest wether. The following have been appointed judges for the Timaru A. and P. Association's Show, to be held next month: Draught horses and geldings, Walter Blakie, Southland; draught mares, Jas. Stevenson. Flax ton; thoroughbred hacks and* hunters, Captain Tilley (Remount Department); harness horses, cobs, and ponies (not yet appointed); English Leicesters, H. F. Wright, Duneandel; Border Leicesters, T. S. Litttej

"Windsor; Lincoln and Eoxr.ncy Marsh, T. C. Withoi!, Papraiui; Down breeds, I>. Soth-S:nith, Fcudaiton Corricdaics r.:id crcssbrcds (not appointed yet): Merino, B. li. H. Tripp, Tiruaru; fat sheep, J, C. Guinoy, Halkett; fat lambs, I>. Sinclair, Ciirktchuroh; dairy produce, U. "Fcrter, Tiniaru; agricultural producc. Jno. Bjov. ii, Temuka: brsad and cookery, Miss Stuart. Imiaru; grain, A. Esliirtcliiirc, limara. Cattle—Shcrthcrn, Hereford, Foiled Angus aud fats, J. <J. Caop, Livlle Hirer: Friesiuns, M. Lcith, Inve reargill : Jersey. Ayrshire, and milk (not yet 'appointed). * Pigs (not yet appointed); doys, W. McMillan. Soutliburn; woolclassing, Juo Moody, Timaiu.

For tho first time since its inauguration it has been found necessary to abandon the Timnru horse parade, which was to have been held to-mor-row, under the auspices of the Tiraaru A. and P. Association. This decision as arrived at as only four entries were received.

The heavy rain in iviuth Canterbury this week* has -brought all i'arm work io a stancsi.il!. Fields which wero under the harrow in the early part of tho week are now under water. The rain, which was a most unwelcome one, has caused heavy mortality among the lambs.

In the course of an interview with a Mastorton "Age" reporter, a gentleman interested in the pig industry stated that there was nothing wonderful in the loeent statement of a South Island buyer that pigs were hard to get. "Why,'' he said, "even in Mastorton last Saturday I snw porkers sold up to 9d per lb at a nn'.rt sale." This was, th:- (icnt cnri'i remarked, c'.isiomtiry at this period of the year, and was no indication that there would bo a scarcity of bacon during the coming season "If you look uo the statistics." 'he said* "you will clisrovcr that there is no shorttiao, a nd inflated prices can only be attributed to the operations of rings, which have made themselves evident during the past couple o| years." 1-e stated that ho knerw for a positive fact that one company in the Wairnrapa, outside the influence of the ring, had paid from a halfpenny t-o a penny per lb more for its P'ffj than the other firm operating, yet had sold its bacon, in sides, at Id per lb less and hams at 2d ner lb loss, and had made a bigger profit last season than ever before. In concluding, tho opinion was expressed that tho exertion of pubiio opinion alone, hacked up l)v questions asked in the House, was likely to keep the pricc of bacon on a reasonable plane.

Mv €. T. Pulley, of Wyndbam, has iust hr.d a visit Irom his brother., jLr I, .t Pullev, of .Waiau, Canterbury (reports the'"Herald*')- Having sold out his farming interests in tr.o norta, the latter has taken up temporary rosjdenco in Chris church. Ho is a wcll-kn-own public man in Vvaiau, being a member of the Amuri County Council, and a trustee of the ltuthorford Hospital for soldiers. In his clay —not pnGt yet, on appoarances —ho.was an expert machine shearer, holding a world s record of 33,000 sheep shorn m a season in Queensland, tbo value of bis enrnin.es (at £1 100) beimr £aSO. Tho eoason would spread over eight or nine months. The visitor was much impressed with wliat he saw in Southland. On tho round trip, YVyndham Glenham, Mataura Island, and Menzies Ferry, he was greatly surprised toncc such crass, it being further ahead than anything observed in Canterbiip-. The land was of much letter quality than he had expected.. He lias £ on ° as a good advertisement for Southland , but possibly he may bo attracted to this favoured -territory.

ICAIKOURA. A pleasant social and dance was ljcld in the DrilL Hall on Tuesday nigat, the object being to welcome homo Corporal G. Boyd and to bid farewell to Prmite* Stove, Melvjlle, and Harnett. Mr I. Harlo extended a cordial welcome home to Corporal Boyd, and a hearty farewell to the departing soldiers, with wishes for their safe and speedy return. Messrs A. J. Marshall, J. Davidson, G. Rcnner, D. Boyd, and G. also spoke. .Mr Harlo then presented the returned soldier with the Kaisoura medal for war servico, and the departsoldiers with safety razors. Dancing was indulged in, and, with an interval for supper, kept up till an eany hour.

RANGIORA. About a dozen apiarists visited Mr T. Pulley's apiary in Ashley street, yesterday, where Mr L. Bowman, Government Apiary Instructor, gave an interesting address on beekeeping, ioilowed bv a practical demonstration. Mr Bowman was thanked for his address. . ~ , Instead of the usual tea meeting tno teachers of the Rangiora Methodist Sunday school entertained the scholars last evening .it a tea and magic lantern entertainment. The children showed their appreciation of the change by giving three chcers for the teacheis. the Rev. J. Guy, and Mrs Lane. MARSHLAND. Sergeant-Instructor Con. A. Ycss, who was specially selected at Homo for dutv in New Zealand, has arrived in the "Dominion. He is expected to reach Lyttelton by the Maori to-morrow morning, and is to bo given a public welcome home at Marshland on Monday evening. AEAROA. At the fortnightly meeting of tho Loyal Good Intent Lodge (Oddfellows) N.G. Bro. Robt. Bruce presided over a fair attendance. Word was received from tho district secretary that the Grand Master and his officers would pay their annual visit to the Lodge on October 22nd. Tho secretary also forwarded tho Government Actuary s valuation report on the Lodge for the last quinquennial period. The report was regarded as very satisfactory. Sick pay was passed for payment to four brethren. It was resolved to recommend the trustoes of the Lodge to invest a certain sum in tho war loan. The N.G. was nominated for the position of Deputy-Grandmaster of the Lyttelton district for the ensuing year. Complaints from tho custodian with, respect to missing articles of furniture were I referred to the chairman of the Hall Committee. On the motion of Bro. vJ. W. Lecie it was decided to make formal application to the district for a revaluation of tho Lodge in respect to the assessment of the funeral levy. The committee of the Akaroa District High School met on Tuesday. Present: Messrs B. Henning (in the chair), C. W. Leete, W. Scott, H. Morcom, and Rev. A. H. Julius. An apology tras received from Rev. J WT Havward. The resignation of Mr E. Noonan, who has removed to Christchurch, was received, and accepted with regret, the committee placing on record its appreciation of his services. It was reported that the attendance, which had been seriously affected by sickness, was slowly recovering. The Education Board wrote stating that it had authorised sundry small Last week through the courtesy of Mr T E. Taylor, the not proceeds of the Picture Show one evening were handed over as a benefit to tho Akaroa Fire Brigade. During the interval. Superintendent C. Goodwin warmly thanked Mr Taylor for his generous treatment of the Brigade. An interesting feature of the pictures was that a number of views of Akaroa scenery were shown. As the Mayor, Mr Geo. Armstrong, explained, these films had been obtained by the Akaroa Advancement Association, the object being that they should be sent the round of the New Zealand picture shows for the purpose of advertising more extensively the attractions of the town. Although the spring holidays are a thing of the past, there is still more than a sprinkling of visitors here. Since the heavy downpour of -a forfcr

night ago the "weather has been, on the whole, delightfully springlike. Over last week-end wo had a touch of early summer. The pleasant weather ie all in favour of tne lambing, which has proceeded apaca. It is too early yet to state results. Ono or two farmers report jsuidry losses, for which it scorns difficult to account. RAKAIA. A noted instance of the difficulty, which obtains at the present time of disposing of businesses is to bo found in Rakaia. -After advertising in many papers from Auckland to Bluff the proprietor of a butchering business received not'a single offer for the business. He has now closed down, but is only too desirous of leasing his shop or slaughter-houses, so that nothing may stand in the way of the people of Rakaia obtaining a meat supplv. It is to be hoped that someone will soon take advantage of the offer, as the Rakaia people aro very awkwardly placed for supplies.

ASHBURTON. ! Lieutenant C. T. White, Trooper A. ' W. Bright, Private W. J. Lennon, and Private C. S. Williams, who returned recently from the front, arrived in Ashburton vesterdav, and were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) and members of the Ashburton Patriotic Committee. v THE GERALDINE DISTRICTS. After some hot north-west winds and bright sunshine had melted much of the snow from the ranges, and dried the country wonderfully during the early part of the week, rain again fell m torrents on. Tuesday night, and wet, misty weather continued throughout Wednesday. These conditions have produced an extraordinarily rapid growth rate in all vegetation, and in the Geraldine districts the backward look of the country seems to have been changed swiftly for an afrpe&rance of mid-spring. In the orchards the trees have broken suddenly into a njost encouraging show of bloom, and at the moment of writing the state of oountry affairs is generally satisfactory. As an exception to the ml© of good progress previously noted, the rain has caused some further delay in agricultural operations, and a number of already late corn crops which remain unsown, will bo made yet later. On the other hand the rainfall is fortunate, for in some places the heavier land had been hardened and caked rather badly by the north-westers, and the work of sowing was wary much hindered. However, it seems likely that in spite of everything the acreage of the com lands in the country about Oran, Rangifcata, Arundel, Woodbury, Pleasant Valley, The Four Peaks Settlements, and Kalrn.lin. will be at least equal to the total of last year, and it is encouraging to the farmers that their crops have been started in much more favourable circumstances.

Up to date,- the autumn-sown corn crops, both wheat and oats, have done wonderfully well, and in some cases the growth has been so strong that it has come in more than once as early feed for the ewes and lambs. The early spring-sown corn, on the whole, is making excellent progress, and at present the prospects for next harvest are very hopeful. The jambing season has become general in the low oountry, and in most places the lambs are doing well and are strong and healthy. Unfortunately, however, the early lambing percentages will not be so good as flock-ownors had hoped a month ago, for the interval* of wintry weather cause serious losses; and also it is generally reported that twin lambs are found much less frequently than is usual. Ihirine the last few days the growth upon the grasslands has beefi extremely rroid, and good sheep feed is now plentiful almost everywhere. The general hope now is for some fine weather to follow the rainfall, when the position of both agricultural and pastoral affairs should be fairly satisfactory. Many of the creeks and rivers are again rising or in fresh, and a full water is probable for the opening of the fishing season.