DAIRYING IN FIJI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18693, 26 April 1924, Page 12

DAIRYING IN FIJI.

IMPORTANT IMPORTATIONS.

FRIES lAN STUD STOCK

NEW ZEALAND SELECTIONS.

[from otna OTCX CORRESPONDENT-] SUVA. April 14. ! Dairying in Fiji may or may not sue* ceed, the industry has not yet been put through a sufficient test, but so far everything points to it coming through with distinction. One thing which is satisfactory is that local capitalists seem to be prepared to risk their money in it. The Biji Pastoral Company, which is composed of our leading business men. has acquired an area of some 4000 acres, with the right to further leases, at Navua, some 18 miles west of Suva, on the south coast. The' land stretches on each bank of the Navua River, a very fine stream, wide a'nd deep. The pasture is as good as anything in Fiji, which means a good deal. The company is making every effort to get going on solid business lines. They have already a herd composed of the choicest of Fiji's crossbred herds. But they are not contented with that, although the manager says that he has crossbred cows which give now over three gallons of milk after calving in August ■ last. So the manager, Mr. J. F. Simmonds, went to New Zealand, and he returned by the last trip of the Tofua, with 61 head of extra special Friesian ; dairy cows and bulls. Among the latter j are :— Fayne Dichter Dutchman 11, syrs. old, • which took the grand champion award of the North Island of New Zealand at the recent Waikato Show. Ho I was bred by Mr. John Hart, of Tatuanui. j Another is Bracken Julip Pietje, 2yrs, : who has won two championships and ■ four blues, defeating the IOOOgs. Dull of . the Pera Land Co., and all this since he I was purchased by the Fiji Pastoral Co. 1 There were also three pedigree bulls i for Mr. P. Costello, who is dairying on : a considerable 'scale on t.he Rewa 'River, and who is chairman of the Rewa Cooperative Co., which is at present erecting a dairy factory on the junction of the Waimanu and Kewa Rivers. Every- ! thing points to a boom in dairying in I FHi, and the chief danger will be over- '• valued land. ! ■