Okauia.

Matamata Record, Volume XII, Issue 1061, 3 October 1929, Page 1

Okauia.

Farming Topics.

Despite the fact that a frosts aif& cold nights have checked the spring growthof grass, Olcauia farmers report that the cows are milking very well, possibly due to the greater amount of ensilage which has been available and also to the fact that there is good substance in the grass. On the whole feed is coming on well, and with warmer weather a good season is anticipated. Sickness among cows is not as prevalent as in previous years, and, ‘as in other districts, a variety of opinions are offered to account for this. Several farmers spoken to stated frankly that some of the troubles were baffling and most of them agreed that Government veterinarians were not so frank as they might be and that losses are far more frequent than are officially acknowledged. Mr. La Trobe reports having lost two animals this season just after calving, both of which seemed to suffer from some kind of paralysis. Both were drenched but failed to improve. A third cow which was stricken down in a similar manner was given nothing, but her udder was pumped up and a few hours afterwards the animal was all right again and grazing contentedly. Mr. La Trobe is confident the trouble was not milk fever, the usual symptoms of which were lacking. 1 Mr. Bosson, a neighbour, has had five veterinary surgeons to inspect sick cows at various times in the past few seasons, but received little satisfaction. Some diagnosed the trouble as sepsis, but they could do little to cure the ailment. Mr. Bosson states that his cows seemed to be paralysed and he is inclined to attribute the major portion of the trouble to the. increased use of artificial manures and line breeding in stock. When in Taranaki he never used manures, and had little trouble with his stock, but since coming to the Matamata district he has had serious losses.

Just after the war he manured very heavily, a large proportion of the manure used being basic slag which had a purple colour. It was after this manuring that he had a heavy mortality amongst his herd, which he attributed, in his own words, to “ artificial manure and artificial cows.” Mr. Bosson has tried almost everything on the market at various times and used to get up three and four times a night to a sick cow. Now he has become somewhat of a fatalist and does not bother with remedies, or go to any great trouble. “ If they die, they die; and that’s the end of it,” he stated. In serious vein, Mr. Bosson summed up his belief that troubles with cows came in cycles, like human ailments, such as influenza, and werb the result of a combination of circumstances. These included intensive breeding, intensive manuring and stock being too exposed through lack of shelter. This season there had been no sickness amongst his* herd.

Mr. Higgins, another Okauia settler, lost a number of cows last year, This year he has had no sickness, and is inclined to attribute this solely to a patent drench used immediately after calving, and to washing the cows out. Tennis Afternoons. A series of most enjoyable tennis have been hfeld on Saturdays at Wairere House, for a number of weeks, the proceeds of which are being devoted to the local hall funds. Amongst the organisers have been Mr. arid Mrs. Downs, Mr. and Mrs. Spinley and Mesdames Cook, McDonald and Winston. A considerable sum of money has been raised by these means, and these enjoyable outings will be continued for some time. Euchre Tournament. Other efforts to raise money for the social hall have been by euchre parties, and the last of these was most successful. Prizes were donated by Mr. and Mrs. C. Brindle, Mr. and Mrs. Spinley and Mrs. Story. The winners were Mrs. Cook (ladies) and (Continued in Next Column)

Mr. Brindle (men), while Miss Spinley was awarded the booby prize. . Personal. Owing to lack of suitable boarding accommodation Rajah Underwood is at present home with his parents, studying under a private tutor pending additions to Vasanta School. Baths. Extensive alterations are made to both the hot bathi Okauia, which, when completed, will make them comparable to any in New Zealand. The opal baths are being extended and concreted throughout and will be of the regulation size of 33 1-3 feet and have ample modern accommodation and conveniences. The crystal springs baths will be 32 feet longer, and every effort is being made to preserve the sylvan setting which has been the particular charm of these hot springs.