FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 266, 10 October 1931, Page 5

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

MASSEY COLLEGE EGG-LAYING CONTEST. TWENTY-SEVENTH WEEK’S RESULTS. The following are the twenty-seventh reek’s results of the egg-laying contest beig conducted at Massey Agricultural Colsge : Light Breeds. —F. Ecob, 126 —124—127 — 15—148—136—(35)—776; S. G. Batten, 99 199 —89 —78—101 —153 —(33) —619; L. B. launsell, 119—93—x—94—95—(35)—594; A. [orman. 110 —93—x —B8 —x —ll1—(36) 568; t L. Boyce, 75—105—66—105—119 (36) 57; Mrs D. A. Stewart, 87—102 —79—96 — 18 —71 —(30) —553 ; K. Brazendale, 147 —62 E75—80—x—76—(33)-—540; J. N. McLean, 6>—s9 —75 —87 —71—90 —(36) —468. IHeavy Breeds. —H. Rushton, 99 —71 —88 — fc-90—89 (34)—535; Mrs J. A. B. Ilalfby (5 birds), 114-132—32—146-63—42 3) —529; J. N. McLean, 110 —105 —88 —50 |73—74—(39)—500; K. Mouldey (5 birds), j}_79—33—6l— 90—42—(21)—337. h“x” signifies under-weight eggs.

SUBSIDY ON FERTILISERS. MINISTER’S EXPLANATION. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 9. Amplification of the Government’s scheme to provide cheaper fertilisers for farmers was given by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. D. Jones, in a statement to-day. Ho said manufacturers would make a substantial concession to supplement the Government’s action and from next Monday the cash price on trucks at works in the North Island and at free delivery points in the South Island, would be reduced to £3 17s 6d a ton. The question would bo reviewed next June. “The great reduction in the amount of fertilisers usod in the Dominion of late resulting from the decreased buying power of farmers, is causing the Government grave concern,’’ 6aid Mr Jones. “The welfare of the whole community is so entirely dependent upon our export trade in primary products that it is necessary that no effort be spared not only to maintain the volume of output, but also to increase it as much as possible! In this connection fertilisers play the most important part and the marked reduction in the amount of top-dress-ing which has taken place creates a grave risk of the quick falling off of dair- production particularly and which may be rapidly accentuated as time goes on unless a reversion to adequate fertilising is brought about. “With a full appreciation of _ this the Government has decided to set aside £IOO,000 for tho purpose of providing a subsidy upon the selling price of high-grade superphosphate as an effort to get production to as high a level as possible. Phosphatic fertilisers are most essential. All our superphosphate is manufactured from phosphate rock supplied from deposits _in .which the Dominion has a largo financial interest and due regard has been given to this when considering the subsidy proposed. Consideration was also given to phosphatic fertilisers and others of overseas origin, but after carefully weighing all facts it was decided to limit tho subsidy to the 44-46 per cent, superphosphate. ’ ’ LONDON WOOL SALES.

Dalgcty and Coy., Ltd., have received the following cablegram from their London house dated the 7th inst: —Tho wool | sales closed active with improved demand from the Continnent. Offered, 174,746 bales; sold, 154,500 bales; Home trade bought, 90,500 bales; Continent bought, 62,000 bales; America bought, 2,000 bales; carried forward, 131,500 bales; of which 121,500 bales were not offered. As compared with closing rates of last series: —Greasy Merino, par to id higher; scoured Merino, par to Id lower; greasy half-bred, Id to ljd higher; greasy fino crossbred, Id to lid higher; greasy medium crossbred, id to Id higher, gresasy coarse crossbred, i to id higher; scoured crossbred, par to Id higher; fine slipes, Id to ljd higher; other sorts slipes, par to id higher. The following' is tho range of prices:—Halfbred, 56-58, good to super, 10id to 12jd; low to medium, Bid to 10id; halfbred, 50-56 good to super, 9id to lid; low to medium, 7id to 9id; fine crossbred 48-50, good to super, Bid to 9^d; low to medium, 6id to 8d; fino crossbred, 46-48, good to super, 7id to Bid; low to medium, 6id to 7id; crossbred, 44-46, good to super, to Yjjd; low to medium, sid to 7d; crossbred, 40-44, good to super, 6id to 7id; low to medium, 5i to 6id; coarse crossbred, 36-40, good to super, 6id to 7d; low to medium, 54 to 64d.

GOLD AND SILVER. Gold.—£s 7s 8d per fino ounce. Silver.—Cash, 17 5-16 d per oz.; forward, 17id.

FEILDING STOCK SALE. FAT SHEEP ADVANCE IN PRICE. An advance of about Is 6d per head was shown by fat sheep yesterday, tho market for all sections being brighter. Tho first of tho season’s lambs wore on offer, prices for these rangin gfrom 13s to 205,, Store sheep also showed a decided riso over the previous week’s sale, all lines maintaining a firm demand. Good cows and . heifers in tho dairy cattle section were in demand at increased values, tho fino weather and corresponding improvement in tho pastures being a contributing factor. Storo cattle sold on a par with recent sales, while the prices for fat stock wero if anything a little easier, the averago quality not being so good as last week. Detailed quotations are as under: — Fat Sheep.—Lambs, 13s, 17s to 20s j hoggets, 11s, 12s, 13s 3d, 13s lOd, 14s 4d, 15s 3d, 17s 6d to 18s Id; ewe 3,12 s 6d, 13s, 13s 6d, 13s lOd, 14s 4d, 14s 9d, 15s 9d to 16s 7d; maiden 4-th owes, 20s; shorn wethers, 15s Id, 15s 3d; woolly do., 13s, 17s, 18s to 20s. Storo Sheep.—Ewes and lambs, 12s 6d, 22s 6d; empty ewes, 5s 3d, 6s 6d, 9s 8d; ewe hoggets, 12s Bd, 13s Bd, 15s lOd; wether do., 10s 9d, 11s 9d, 12s, 13s lOd; m.s. do., 7s 6d 10s Bd, 12s; empty 4-th ewes, 10s 3d, 11s 9d. Fat Cattle.—Heifers, £8; hoifers and cows, £9 12s 6d; bullocks, £6 ss; £6 17s 6d, £8 17s 6d, £9, £lO, £lO lls; cows, £2, £2 15s, £3, £3 15s, £4, £4 10s, £4 18s, £5 6s to ’£s 12s. Dairy Cattle. —Heifers r.w.b., £4 ss, £4 17s 6d, £5 ss, £5 15s, £6, £6 17s 6d, £7 ss, £7 17s 6d, £8 to £8 10s; heifers calved, £2 2s 6d, £6, £7 to £8 15s; springing cows, £3 15s, £4 12s 6d, £5, £5 12s 6d, £6, £6 15s to £7 15s; cows in milk, £2, £2 15s, £3 ss, £3 12s 6d, £4 10s to £6. „ Storo Cattle. —Empty heifers, £1 2s, £1 16s, £2, £2 4s, £2 8s to £4; yearling heifers, 265, 275, 37s to 40s; 2-yr steers, £2 18s store cows, 15s, 20s, 295, 335, 35s to 535.

AUCTIONEERS’ REPORT. Associated Live Stock Auctioneers, Ltd., report having small entries of fat sheep, store sheep and storo cattle and good yardings of fat and dairy cattle. hat sheep included a few pen 6 of prime ewes, also hoggets. The wethers, except for a few odd lots, wero not finished. Competition was keen right throughout and prices showed an all round rise of quite Is 6d per head and in some instances a shade more. The first spring lambs of the season realised 20s. In the store sheop section the entry comprised chiefly hoggets and ewes with lambs, and vendors appreciated tlie solid rise which took place. The quality of tho fat cattle showed a marked improvement and there' were eeveral pens of well finished bullocks and a particularly prime and heavy pen of cows and Shorthorn heifers. The demand was rather better for the general offering. There was quite a satisiactory sale of store cattle, but n 6 well bred lines offered and the few lots of young sorts in empty and store cows found ready buyers. The majority of the offering in the dairy cattle division comprised heifers and for those showing quality competition was animated, the dairy cows selling at about last week’s rates. Quotations: —Fat sheep: Fat woolly wethers, 16s 6d, 18s, 20s tor odd extra heavy; fat shorn wethers, 15s Id, 15s 3d; fat b.f. 2-ths, 13s 6d, 14s 9d; extra good, 18s 6d ; primo fat woolly ewes, 15s 6d, 15s 9d, 16s lOd; fat woolly ewes, 13s 6d, 13s 9d, 14s Id, 14s 4d, 14s 7d; light fat woolly ewes, lls, 12s 6d, 13s; fat shorn ewes, lls 4d, 13s, 13s lOd; fat hoggets, 12s, 13s, 13s 3d, 14s 4d, 17s 6d; pen of extra good Down hoggets, 18s Id. bat cattle: Light fat steers, £6 ss, £6 17s 6d ; fat bullocks, £8 17s 6d, £9, £lO, £lO lls; fat heifers, £8; extra prime Shorthorn cows and heifers, £9 12s 6d; light fat cows, £3 15s, £4, £4 10s, £4 13s, £5, £5 6s, £5 12s. Store sheep : Empty ewes, 5s 2d, 5s 3d, 6s 6d; forward ei?pty ewes, 9s 8d ; empty 6-th ewes, 10s 3d, lls 9d; age* - ,, ewes with small lambs, 12s 6d; pen of 76 4 6 and 4-yr. ewes with 90 good Down lambs at foot realised 225 ; medium mixed hoggets, 12s; very fair -wether, hoggets, 12s ; medium wether hoggets, 10s, 10s 6d ; small pen of extra good wether hoggets, 13s lOd; ewe hoggets, 10s lOd, 12s Bd, 13s 8d ; pen of 58 extra good, 15s lOd. Storo cattle: Small yearling heifers, 265, 37»; Jersey cross yearling heifers, £2, £2 12s, £2 18s; empty forward cows, £4; empty cows, 21s, 295, 335, 355, £2 13s 6d, £2 18s. Dairy cattle: Dairy cows, £4 15s, £5 10s, £5 15s, £6, £7, £7 15s; backward dairy heifers, £4 12s 6d, £4 15s, £4 17s 6d, £5, £5 12s 6d, £5 17s 6d; springing heifers, £6, £6 10s, £7, £7 ss, £7 15s, £B, £8 7s 6d, £8 15s.

FEILDING MART. Prices at tho mart in Feilding yesterday were as follow : Poultry.—Hens, 2s 6d to 4s lid; cockerels, 2s 3d to 2s lOd; ducks, 3s 2d to 3s 7d; drakes, 3s 2d to 3s 7d; ducklings, Is. Pigs.—Small weaners, 10s 6d to 16s 6d; large, 17s to 22s 6d; slips, 21s to 26s 6d; stores, 22s to 33s 6d, porkers, 345; baconers, £2 7s; boar, £2 3s. 1 FORDELL CATTLE FAIR. Associated Live Stock Auctioneers, Ltd., held their first cattle fair at the iordell saleyards on Thursday and report having had a most successful sale. Thor© was a very largo attendance, buyers being present from Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Main Trunk districts, while the West Coast was well represented from Waikanae to Stratford. Tho yarding, which came forward well up to advertised numbers, was a particularly good one of well-bred station cattle, the almost total absence of broken colours being very noticeable. Considering the very adverse weather conditions of tho past five months, the majority of tho yarding was in far better condition than was expected, this being freely commented upon by farmers from other districts. Bidding for all classes of cattle was very keen and well spread, and, with the exception of two pens of store cows and one small pen of bullocks, the whole yarding was sold under'the hammer. In comparison with values of 12 months ago prices realised show a big fall; on the other hand, however, they wore well above the expectations of..both vendors and buyers, whoso standard of values was based ’principally on private sales made during the post month. Hie top price of the sale was £6 for a pen of forward five-year-old bullocks sold on account of J. Campion and Sons (Okirae). Tho best price for four-year-old cattle was £5 15s for a very forward pen of well-bred Herefords sold on account of Mr H. M. Speed, tho same vendor getting £5 for a line of good three-year-olds. Tho Morikau Farm Foiled Angus steors, although not carrying much condition, were well-bred, lengthy, heavy-boned, cattle and realised £5 6s for four-year-olds, £4 8s for three-year-olds and £3 16s 6d for two year-olds. The top price for cows was £5 3s for some very forward Herefords sold on account of the J. L. McLeay estate (Turalcina Valley). A big line of four-year-old empty Polled Angus and Hereford cows and hoifers in forward condition sold on account of Mr Hammond made £4 9s. The following is the range of prices: Five-year bullocks, £6, £5 18s, £5 16s. £5 15s, £5 10s £5 8s 6d, £4 6s; 4yr. bullocks, £5 15s, £5 7s, £5 6s,' £5 ss, £4 15s; 3yr. steers, £5. £4 Bs, £4 la, £3 10b; 2yr. steers, £5, £4 Bs, £4 Is, £3 10s; 2yr. steers, £3 16s 6d, £3 7s, £3 6s, £2 7s 6d; 2yr. heifers, £3 10s, £3; yearling hoifers, £1 14s, £1 6s ; empty cows and heifers, £5 3s, £4 9s, £3 7s 6d, £3 6s, £2 14s; 2yr. P.A. bulls, £7 7s.

SLEDGE PIGSTIES. On some farms most unpleasant smells come from the pigsties owing to constant use, limited space, and careless food habits. Especially during the summer is this most noticeable, and when sties are fixtures permanently erected on one site, there may be danger from disease germs, parasites, etc. During the winter, it is particularly difficult to keep sties clean, but when the ground becomes more firm less difficulty should be experienced if attention is devoted to environment. The sledge type of pigsty is claimed by some peoplo to bo the most suitable that can bo used on the farm, for it can be easily moved to frceh ground and thus eliminates all objeci tionable smells. Hay will also assist in keeping the sty clean and wholesome if placed on the floor after the stye has been washed out. This should be done once in three weeks, and then the daily work of attending to the pigs would be much less unpleasant.

WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE. YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS AND PRICES. There was a fairly good demand yesterday for Government securities at. the improved prices, but there was only a moderate inquiry for shares. The 44 per cent. New Zealand Government stocks, 1938 and 1939, were steady at £96 10s. For the 54 per cent, stocks, 1936 and 1937, £96 10s was again offered. The 44 per cent, bonds, 1938, were up 40s to £96 10s, and sellers asked £9B 10s. The 54 per cent, bonds, 1933, were 5s lower at £96 10s, and the 5i cents., 1937, at £96 12s 6d wero 2s 6d lower. Rural Advances 5 per cent, bonds, 194‘, changed hands at £BS. Wellington City 54 per cents., 1940, were firm at £96. Bank shares wero quiet. Commercial Bank of Australia, ordinary, were m demand at 12s lid, with a sale reported at 13s; National Bank of New Zealand were steady at £3 lls. Bunk of New Zealand were 2d higher at 43s 3d; Bank ot Neip South Wales were firm at £24 15b. Goldsbrough Mort and Co., wero easier, 19s 6d being offered. New Zealand Guarantee Corporation, preference were farm at 20s 3d, cum dividend. National Insurance wero a shade firmer at lls bu. South British Insurance wero steady at 50s. Wellington Gas, ordinary, were again in demand at 25s 9d. New Zealand Refrigerating 10s paid were down Id at 3s id. Huddart Parker, ordinary, were in demand at 17s 6d with no sellers. National Timber were in demand at tho low figure ot ss. Now Zealand Breweries were in demand at, 29s 3d. Electrolytic Zinc preference wero Is lower at 15s. New zteoland Drug were up 6d at 43s 6d. l'or Moturoa Oil, 3s was bid, but there were no sellers. Mount Lvell were unchanged at 16s Bd, but Waihi were down 2d at los 6d. Golden Dawn mining were wanted at ss. YESTERDAY’S QUOTATIONS.

Buying and selling quotations at the morning call on the Wellington Stock Exchange yesterday were as follow:

MONEY MARKET. BANK OF ENGLAND RETURN. Received October 9, 10.5 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 8. The following is the Bank of England retiun. IggUE dep artMENT. £ Note issue in circulation 359,324,319 Banking department 50,914,843 £410,239,162 £ Government debt 11,015,100 Other Government securities ... 232,777,565 Other securities 27,175,156 Silver coin 4,032,179 Gold coin and bullion 135,239,162 £410,239,162 1 BANKING DEPARTMENT. £ Proprietors’ capital 14,553,000 Rest 3,092,371 Public deposits 10,593,724 Other deposits, banks 78,858,671 Other accounts 51,879,158 Seven-day and other bills 2,178 £158,979,102 Securities — £ Government 64,125,906 Discounts end advances 16,898,163 Other securities 25,714,663 Notes 50,914,843 Gold and silver coin 1,325,507 £158,979,102 Proportion of reserves to liabilities 36.90 per cent, short loans 4 3-4 per cent., three months’ bill 5 11-16 per cent. STERLING EXCHANGES. LONDON, Oct. 8. The following rates on foreign exchanges are current to-day, as compared with par:

WELLINGTON SKINS, HIDES AND TALLOW SALES. The fortnightly sale of hides, skins and tallow was held at Wellington yesterday:— Hides: Lights and mediums 4d to Jd higher: heavies, jd to Id higher; kip, id to 4d higher; yearling and calf on a par. Ox, 331bs to 441bs, 2Jd to 4id; 451bs to 521bs, 34d to sd; 531bs to 591bs, 4d to sj|d; 601bs to 691bs, 2Jd to SRI; 701bs and over, 2J(I to s|d; cow, 331bs to 391bs, 2|d to 4|d; 401bs to 481bs, 34d to 44d; 491bs and over, lid to 4j|d; kip, 251bs to 321bs 2|d to 3jjd; 171bs to 241bs, 3d to 34d; yearling, lllbs to 161bs, 24d to 3|d; calf, 91bs to lOlbs, 24d; 61b3 to 81bs, 4id to 4Jd; lib to 51bs, 2Jd to 4i(d. Sheepskins: Best skins, id to id higher; pelts, damaged and inferior skins scarcely realised sufficient to defray transport charges. Dry: Halfbred, 34d to 3id; fine crossbred, 3Jd to 44d; medium crossbred, 3id to 4id; coarse crossbred, 3d to 3Jd; half wools, ljd to 34d; quarter wools, id to 2Jd; pelts, id to lid. Salteds: Not sufficient offered to givo reliable quotations. Tallow: In casks, 63 to 8s; in tins, etc., 8s; horso hair, 6d; cow tails, 7d.

WELLINGTON PRODUCE MARKET. (By Telegraph.—Special to “Standard.”) WELLINGTON, Oct. 10. Business is maintained without any marked change from last week’s conditions. Wheat, 6e 3d to 63 6d per bushel. There is a largo quantity of under grade, 63 to 6s 6d. The riso in potatoes during the week has subsided, though prices still show an increase on last week, being £4 to £4 10s per ton. with • a weakening tendency. Californian onions, 18s to 19s per crate; 18s 6d per 1001 b bag. Oats: A grade Cartons, 3» 6d; B grade, 3s 2d per bushel. Bran, £6 5s per ton. Pollard, £7 per ton. Blenheim chaff, £6 5s per ton; sacks in. New Zealand maize, 5s 6d per bushel. There is no South African on the market.

Buyers Sellers. N.Z. GOVT. LOANS— £ B. d. £ 8. 0 4i p.c. Insc. Stk., 1941 4 k p.c. ditto, 1939 and 96 10 98 10 1938 0 — 54 p.c. ditto, 1936 and 96 10 0 1937 — 54 p.c. ditto, 1937 92 10 0 — 4£ p.c. bonds, 1939 ... — 98 10 44 p.c. ditto, 1938 96 10 0 98 10 0 54 p.c. ditto, 1955 97 10 0 5£ p.c. ditto, 1937 DEBENTURES — Well. Racing Club ... Well. City, o£ p.c., 96 12 96 0 6 103 0 0 1940 Levin Boro., 6 p.c., 0 100 10 1936 — 0 Napier Boro., 5j p.o., 1945 — 95 0 0 Otago Harb. Ed., 5J p.c., 1938 +102 5 0 Makerua Urn Bd., 6 98 12 p.c., 1946 and 1950 .. BANKS— 6 8 0 — 0 Auot. of Commerce ... — 0 13 0 Comm, of Auet., ord. 0 12 11 0 13 2 Eng., Scot, and Aust. — 0 3 15 0 National N.Z 3 11 — New South Wales ... 24 15 0 — Union of Australia ... — 6 14 0 Ditto, Melbourne reg. FINANCIAL— 6 12 6 Dalgety and Co Goldsbrough, Mort and 0 19 6 6 0 Co 6 *0 5 N.Z. Guar. Corp., ord. — 4 Ditto, pref *1 0 3 — N.Z. and River Plato — 1 1 6 Well. Trust aand Loan Well. Deposit and 6 5 0 10 0 6 Mortgage — GAS— Wellington, ord 1 5 9 —

INSURANCE— National 0 11 b — South British 2 10 0 — MEAT PRESERVING— _ _ — 1 5 o N.Z. Refrigerat. (10s) 0 3 7 0 3 10 TRANSPORT— Huddart, Parker, prd. 0 17 6 — Ditto, prof — 0 17 0 Union Steam, prof. ... — 10 6 P. and 0. stock — 17 0 Kelburn Tram, ord. . — 19 0 CO Hi-/ — „ _ . Westport — ±00 TIMBER— . _ , Kauri — U 8 0 Leyland-O’Brien 0 5 116 National 0 — BREWERIES— . . .. New Zealand 1 9 3 1 9 11 M1SCELEAN ROUS — British Tobacco, ord. 1 1 6 34 0 0 Colonial Sugar — Dental and Medical .. 0 4 6 — Electro. Zinc, ord. .. 0 6 0 — Ditto, pref 0 15 0 — N.Z. Drug 2 3 6 — OIL ... Moturoa 0 5 u — Taranaki — 0 0 11 MINING— ... Mount Lyell 0 15 8 0 17 2 Waihi *0 16 6 — King Solomon — 0 3 0 Golden Point — 0 0 10 Golden Dawn 0 5 *Cum. dividend. fInterest and principal payable in London.

N York, dol. to £1 Oct. 8. 3.83 Par. 4.866 Montreal, dol. to £1 4.32 4.866 Paris, francs to £1 97 124.21 Brussels, be], to £1 274 35.00 Geneva, francs to £1 19.50 25.225 Amsterdam, florins to £1 94 12.107 Milan, lire to £1 744 92.46 Berlin, marks to £l 164 20.43 Stockholm, knr. to £1 ... 164 18.159 Copenhagen, knr. to £1 ... 17.50 18.159 Oslo, knr. to £1 17.50 18.159 Vienna, schgs. to £1 ... 31 34.585 Prague, knr. to £1 1304 164.25 Hel’fors, marks to £1 ... 160 193.23 Madrid, pes. to £1 424 25.225 Lisbon, esc. to £1 109j 4.50 Anthens, drach. to £1 300 375 Bucharest, lei to £1 635 813.6 Rio de J., p. to mil 34 16.70 B. Aires, p. to peso 293 47.62 M. Video, p. to peso 21 51 Calcutta, p. to rup 173 18 Shanghai, p. to tael 19 — H.-Kong, p. to dol 141 — Y’hnma, p. to yen 304 24.57