WAIRARAPA A. & P. SOCIETY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1211, 17 May 1895, Page 7

WAIRARAPA A. & P. SOCIETY.

Carterton, May 11. The annual meeting of the Wairarapa Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held at Carterton on Saturday, May 11th, about 50 members being present. The president, Mr Buchanan, M.H.R., proposed the adoption of the balancesheet, which showed a profit on the year of <£l3o. Referring to the low price of produce, and the frozen meat trade in particular, he drew a comparison between the prices given in London for Wellington and Canterbury mutton. The latter was quoted one halfpenny better than Wellington, and he knew for a fact that Canterbury had at the present time private offers for several large parcels at prices better than quotations were cabled at, whereas op the other hand North Island mutton was comparatively unsaleable. The North Island farmers were themselves tq blame for this state of things, he ipight say, solely. They woqld insist op sepding for freezing purposes sheep averaging 701 b. These were 4-tooth, whereas in Canterbury they shipped 2rtooth, averaging 581 b, and that was the size the London market favoured. Two-tooth sheep had beep shipped from. Wellington, but the bulk of them had not the flesh on them, and were altogether too light, for the plain reason that the farmers had not supplied them with proper nutriment. In the South they graded their sheep, and farmers, knowing that light unsatisfactory sheep would be rejected, started to put the growth of flesh on them from their birth, and were thus able to put on the London market lambs and two-tooth sheep that always found ready sale. In the North Island the farmers sent their sheep to be frozen and shipped Home and sold for what they would fetch, with the result that Wellington mutton had gained an unenviable reputation. Mr W. Booth (chairman of the Wellington Meat Export Co.) tendered advice to the farmers on the same lines. He allowed that in the Canterbury district they had the advantage of more lands fit for the plough, but said the North Island farmers must follow on their lines, and specially feed for the London market from the time lambs were weaned. The object was to be first on the Homo market with the finest meat. It was only in the manner indicated had Canterbury gained such advantages. The following resolution was proposed:— ‘ That in view of the prevalence of anthrax and pleuro-pneumonia in certain portions of Australia, the Government be urged to exclude all such stock except under strict quarantine regulations.” The overdraft of the Society having been reduced to within a reasonable limit, Mr W. Booth (treasurer) made an offer that if .£250 was raised for this purpose by subscription he would give =625 towards wiping out the debt. The President made the same offer, Messrs A, Booth, and E, W. Dorset giYipg

£5 each, and several others donating £1 upwards.