WELCOME RAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13692, 7 March 1908, Page 5

WELCOME RAIN.

BREAK UP OF THE DROUGHT'.

DECREASE IN BUTTER EXPORTS.' The thought experienced over the greater portion of - Auckland province . during January and February of this year has meaat a very great loss to the settlers, particularly to many who have only really just established farms. On every side the forage supply for stock had decreased so much that very many stock-owners wore obliged to hand-feed the cattle and sheep was hay and turnips. Paddocks were bare and' dry, and it was only about hush and swamp lands that stock could Snd feed. Many dairy-farmers had to let iheir cows run dry for want of feed, and consequently the output of butter steadily decreased. Needless to say the heavy rain which, set in at Ma-ungaturoto and : over portion of North Auckland on Thursday, and .over southern Auckland yesterday morning was -very welcome. Although a good 24 hours' fall is needed to thoroughly soak the ground, the quantity iwhich did fall has broken the drought. ; Unfortunately, it came too late to more than freshen the forage and tide the stock over till winter, but as some stock-owners have practically used up their winter feed they will still be hard pressed to. find food for both sheep and cattle.

The: export of butter has naturally fallen off very considerably, and the quantity going out for the fortnight ended today is only 983 boxes for England and 50 boxes for the South Sea Islands, there being none for South Africa. This total quantity of 1033 boxes, or just, on 26 lens, represents a very large decrease on previous exports this season. It is a decrease on the previous fortnight of over 56 tons, and a decrease in eight weeks, since the falling off commenced, of 221 tons, representing about £29,000. The corresponding shipment of last year was 2522 boxes, or 63 tons, but at that time prices were low, and over 14,000 boxes w ere held in store for local and Southern '•rade during winter, whereas now there we only 6987 boxes in store. 'the small quantity held in cool chamber for winter •rade will not go very far, and consequently the high prices locally will continue and even increase. It is very doubtful if there will be any more butter for capotrt from Auckland this season.

The cheese output, however, is satisfactory, as 314 cases are going out, of a total weight of 364icwt, valued at about £1110.