THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16221, 25 May 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES

AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATION

MR E. W. HELPS IN MELBOURNE,

Two gentlemen from New Zealand — Mr E. W. Relph, general manager of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association in Christchurch, and Mr John Hooton, general manager of tho Farmers' Go-operativo "Wholesale Federation of New Zealand —are visiting Melbourne at the invitation of the conveners of the Federal Co-operative Conference, in order to give the conference tho benefit of their experiences in the iield of co-operation (says the "Argus" of the 15th inst.).

Mr Relph explained last evening that for. the past five years negotiations had been proceeding in New Zealand to federate the various farmers' co-opera-tive associations, and the majority of those associations had now linked tfiomsolves together. His association had a capital of £1,250,000, and a yearly turnover of ±'4 ; 000,000. The united capitals of the various associations to £10.000.000. The members of his association Loth sold thoir products through its agency and also purchased from it their farming and domestic requirements. There -were 18.000 aocounts on the books. At the end of each month accounts -were furnished to the association's constituents showing_ the amounts of their purchases and giving credit for sales of stock and produce. The association acted as bankers for the constituents, who derived considerable benefit from their transactions with it, as not only did they receive 9 per cent, dividend on their share investments, but also a return of 30 per cent, on the commissions on sales, and a bonus of .5 per cent, on the amount of their purchases... For 37 years the dividend had boon 5) per cent., but the capital had been gradually increased. Mr Hooton has brought a long experience gained with tho firm of H. W. Peabody, of Sydney and New York, to bear upon the organisation of the newlv constituted Co-operative Wholcsalo Federation of Dunedin. He explained that by its means thero would no longer be any waste of effort; instead of 40 buyers in oversea markets there would only be one. Economy would result in every direction. The individual associations "would concentrate their buying and selling in one acency, and the result would be elimination of unnnecessarv profits. JOTTINGS FOR, FARMERS

"We have received from the secretary, Mr O. B. Pemberton, a copy of Volume Xl\. of the "New Zealand Shorthorn Herd Book," issued by the Now Zealand Shorthorn Cattle Breeders' Association. It contains the entries of 306 bulls and .787 cows. The total number of bulls now registered in the "Herd Book" is 3679, and the number of cows 8033. The recovery in the popularity of the Shorthorn is shown by the fact that the roll of members contains 40 new names, the total being lay a s against 89 last year.

Does anyone know how much feed a rabbit oats'? 'Jhis i.s my experience (writes a correspondent in the "Stock iincl Station Journal"): My children caught a young one, and were playing with it in the garden. It got midor the house, and UKcd to come into the garden at night to feed. Result was that if wo hadn't laid wait and destroyed it quick and lively, tho garden would have been wiped out in a week. JJunny's large appetite struck me so much that I decided to test what a rabbit would really eat. I caught a young one, and kept hint for a few days until he had settled down to feed in his box. Then weighed him, and lie wont 6£oz. Then I kept the feed (radish tops and lcttucfi) up to him for 24 hours; and he ate 15oz in that time. (No mistake about this, and he wasn't prepared by starvation either.) I hat is. he ate more than twice bis own weight in 24 hours. Xow, does this mean that a full-grown rabbit (which I find averages about 41b) oats more than, or even twice, his own weight? If it does, then I Jose 26,071 tons of feed per year by rabbits. liORX B Y-ISLLYGTON. Harry Bigham, M.M.. of the 11th Reinforcements, who had hi.s right arm fractured some months ago on the U estern front, returned home last week, front r ° kelwyn is at present at the Private T. Coulter, of the 30th Reinforcements who was recently reported wounded, has been admitted to the Hornchurch Convalescent Hospital. He is suffering trom gunshot wounds in tlie right shoulder. akaroa.

Phe Returned Soldiers' 7ving Carnival promoted by the ' Banks Peninsula !u n Wlt ' l t ' l ° object of rais.n„ „.3(X.0 for the various war funds, wa * JL- Ug + \ a close 0,1 Thursday with a fete i n the recreation ground. * Tlie carnn al resulted as follows :—Trooper G. (Outside Bays), £1793, (Af^).' £1069, "& r T£ en pS , from the stalls side-shows. and conto F p 4SOO° XPeC t0 briue tlle total up OXFORD. >1 °n t l le Oxford branch 'i the I rocesiant Poluir al Association wai ■ la-Id in th.j Coronation Hail on \Y. uI nosda.y night., Tiioro was a lar-e j attendance ot members. Highly satisJ factory reports were received from *»1

parts of the district, and arrangements! completed for an enrolment campaign at an early date. "Sailors' Day" was celebrated in Oxford on Thursday. A ladies' committee. under the auspices of the Oxford branch of the Navy League, had the matter in hand. I'he district was canvassed for subscriptions and Tor produce. The centre of attraction was the Coronation Hall, the scene of many patriotic functions. Here were stalls for the sale of produce, sweets, etc., and luncheon and afternoon tea were provided. Though the weather was wintry, great enthusiasm was displayed, and at the close of the day's activities it was found that about £140 had been raised. Great credit is due to those ladies who were so actively engaged in securing: the day's success, and especially to Mcsdames Luers and Frame for their enthusiastic canvass. CULVER DEN. An enjoyable social and dance was given by the Culverden Tennis Club on Wednesday. In the absence of the 1 president, Mr G. 0. Rutherford, the prizes won during the season were presented by Mr H. R,. Davison. The winners were:—First tournament: Ladies', _ Miss Elsie Hampton : men, Mr Leslie Butler. Second tournament: Ladies', Miss Vera Travers; men, Mr F. J. L. Scott. Doubles' tournament: Miss Elsie Hampton and Mr F. J. L. Scott. The prizes were given by the club. Mrs 6. O. Rutherford's prize for highest aggregate of points during the season was won by Miss Elsie Hampton; Mr G. 0. Rutherford's prize for highest aggregate of points during the season was won by Mr Leslie liutler. In the children's tournament, for members' prizes. Miss Ivy Goulding was first, and Miss Minnie Mockett second. The music for the danco was supplied by Mrs H. R.. Davison and Mrs D. W. Hunter. The local Red Cross Fund will benefit to the extent of £3 10s. KAIAPOI. The Oddfellows' Lodge, Kaiapoi, celebrated its 60th anniversary by holding a social in the Drill Hall last evening, when dancing and progressive euchro were held, the prizes for tho latter j being won by Miss Knight and Mr I Hodgson. The Provincial Grand Master (Mr S. Rinaldi) was present. During the evening items wero given by Mr A. Baker and Mr Capill. "W AIM ATE. The induction of the Rev. J. I. Clarke, late of "Wyndham, as minister of Knox Church, Waimate, took place on Thursday. Subsequently, at a social, the Rev. T. Stinson presiding, Mr and Mrs Clarke were wefeonied l\y the Revs. Mac Donald, L T sslier, Dickie. Scotter (Methodist), Julius (Anglican), 31 r Geo. Dash (Major), and others. The interim Moderator (tlio Rev. T. Stini son) was presented with a . small ! cheque. Tho Rev. "Wni. Wright, who has kept the congregaton together since the departure of the Rev. A. S. Morrison for Rakaia in November, was given a cheque lor fifteen guineas as a love token from the congregation, also a Kaiapoi rug from the Ladies' Guild and P.W.M.U. Mr Clarke, in "!lie course of his reply, said lie had of late years become a believer in short ministries. Ho had stayed four years in "Wvndhatii, and would stay only that long in "\Vainiate unless God willed otherwise. He had a desire to give himself to writing when he retired from active ministry. The choir gave part songs, Miss B. Shackleton recited, Mr .T. Borthwick sang, and Miss Ruth Jones gave a' violin solo. I