THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1261, 17 October 1911, Page 8

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

A 11NE UISTKICT. There 13 a big strctch of country from Wootlviiln right through .to Newman (writes our travelling correspondent), and, ho adds, no bettor land for dairying purpose., could be found. To-dny this is one of, tho "star".dairying districts of New" Zealand. \ Hiding across the magnificent, fertile plains between, say; .Mangatainoka and Jlaniua, 0110 sees the correct system of closer settlement. The nice, handy, .little, farms, with their well-kept gardens 1 and ■ neat dwellings, demonstrate that, butter-fat is king. 111 this locality at Viil events. Tho particularly successful dairy factories 111 this district have no doubt had a great deal to do with its prosperity. Tho Ballaneo .Factory stands out prominently as an instance of what even farmers can do. It ii often said that farmers don't know anything about business. It seems, however, that when thev tako up a line and stick to it, anil do not-allow the speculative, or business, influence of the city man to creep in, thev make a good .showing. Look at this tfallance dairy company—all farmers; look at Rongotea— all farmers. One could mention scores of successful concerns which are conducted <in sound business linos by the farmer. Anyway, the carr.vinif on in a district of such a lar.ra concern as the Ballance, Jlaiieata'noka, ltexdale, Mangamaire, Ko'n(ni factories and their creameries, and with the splendid finality of the land from which the milk is drawn, only one result can ensue, and that is an average prosperity which runs all over the country side. . . Of course, away from the rich plains which are bounded by a chain of lowhills, there are a !?ood many excellent sheep farms. At Konini thcro is crood limestone country, of which Messrs. Warren have a nice portion. Then, adjoining, is tho lialfonr Jistate. Outside of tha district very few ucople in 'lie Dominion are that Jtr. A. J. Balfour, Leader of the British Opposition, and Prime Minister "f tho last Tmonjst Government, owns a fine sheen station in New Zealand. . It is a very fine propenv and one unon which the eyes of a good manv people have heen ca«t. people of I'ahiatua »ro very tlosiron* that it should be acouired by the • Government for closer settlement. This is a well-watered country; sometimes they even »et. too much water. Three rivers, the Jlakahahi. JlaneatAinoka, and Mangahnn run thrmieh it. though t.lie latter is nearer tho end of the district. Tho constant wa«lnng-dovni nl the soil from the hnct countrr, no flnnht ha* heen influential in calling th" exceeding fertility of the soil. Hound about jMnngatainokn it is to see how well, apnnrently. the settlers nre tl<"n" in their small ten and twentvacve blocks. There is onlv one dnrk shadow j"st now, and that is there is win? to he another d'v foason. Tt was nnnrecerlent"d to to for weeks without rain at I'ahiatnn like Inst veor. but manv learned tho set them, and a--e this sea-on prnvidine extra feed in the shape of maize and other crops.