NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19952, 20 November 1926, Page 11

NORTH OTAGO.

tWsau Oca Special Correspondent.)

HAIRY CATTLE

Mr W, M. Clark, testing officer of tho Agricultural Department, in conversation With tho representative of the Otago Daily Times had something interesting to say regarding the exhibits of dairy cattle at the Waimate and Oamaru shows. Ho stated that some of the prize-winners had proved themselves heavy producers under the semiofficial tests. The cows exhibited by two Jersey breeders, Messrs Donald Kennedy and £. Dale, were outstanding in this respect. At the 'Waimate Show Mr Kennedy won the championship in tho cow class, while his winning threc-ycar-old hoifor has just completed producing 4731 b ©f fat commencing the tost ns a junior two-year-old. At tho Oamaru tfhow Mr Dale carried off the championship ribbon in tho cow class. Ho was also first in tho three-year-old heifer class, and was first in the class for group of four females. During the past season Mr Kennedy has tested eight untried two-year-old heifers, producing quantities ranging from 4701 b fat to 5861 b fat in 365 days, while two mature cows now under test should put up substantial records. Mr Dale’s cows have put np some very fine performances. Tho Oamaru champion cow produced 551.451 b ot fat, commencing tost as a senior two-year-old. His cow “Remarkable Mary” put up •what is probably the most meritorious semiofficial record made by a cow of any breed in Canterbury As a junior two-year-old she produced 5771 b of fat, while as a threo-yoar-old she produced 7421 b fat, both records on twice a day milking. With the price of butter-fat so low, all practical dairy farmers must realise that to make their farms pay they must devote themselves to increasing tho production of their herds. This can only bo dono by; (1) Fropoi feeding; (2) the use of a bull from a good butter-fat backing, and (5) by testing all tho female of their herds, and cutting tho inferior cows. Of these _ three things, the jiso of a good bull is an important factor. A HEAVY LOSS. Mr J. M. Smith, the well-known Kakanui Clydesdale breeder, suffered**!, heavy loss this week by tho death of his champion three-year-old sire “Bonnie Balmcdie.” This horse had an unbeaten record in tho show-ring, and was entered for tho Oamaru Show yesterday. Ho was bred by Mr'Smith, and was by Bonnie Brydon—Ruby Pride. As a yearling and two-year-old he carried all before him, and this year ho had secured the championships at Christchurch and Timaru. A few days ago ho suffered an internal trouble, and although the best •veterinary aid was secured, bo died yesterday morning. Mr Smith had received many tempting offers for Bonnie Balmedie, •which was valued at £ISOO. THE PAST WEEK. The elements have again been mixed in North Otago during the week. Thunderstorms were experienced early in the week, but on Thursday and Friday the conditions had greatly improved, and tho sun shone brightly. The whole of the cereal crops are making good headway. If anything, the growth is. too rapid. The rains have given a splendid start to the root crops, of which there has been a heavy sowing. Turnips are now being Sown on the lighter lands. The shearing of wet sheep has been commenced, and although the fleeces are not as heavy as usual, the texture is remarkably good. The dairying season is well advanced, and the aggregate supply of cream promises to be heavier thait last year. Potato planting has commenced, but the area under tubers is not likely to oe large this year. EXPORT OF SHEEP. Mr R. J. Anderson, of Kauann, Southland, is despatching 50 Border Leicester cheep to Victoria on December 4. He is also sending 20 Border Lcicostcrs secured from Mr James Gilchrist, the well-known Oamaru breeder. POWDERY SCAB. Mr R. B. Tennent, of the Agricultural Department, who was judge of agricultural produce at the Oamaru show, stated that it was significant that the only two samples of potatoes on exhibition were both affected with powdery scab, the disease that has prevented New Zealand potatoes from being exported to Victoria. CRICKET. The Union Club’s teams for Saturday are as follows: Seniors v. Albion, on Takaro Park, at 2 p.m.—Catto, Crone, Gregory, Hunter, Maddigan, Meikle, M'Beath, M'Donald, Robertson (2). Stott. Juniors v. School, at liing George's Park, at 1.45 p.m.—Blair (2), Hunttr (2), Maude, Lamb, North, Sandom, Sinclair, Smith. PERSONAL. Mr J. D. Forbes of Oamaru, has been appointed handicapper for the St. Andrew’s Caledonian Society. Sir James Allen was a visitor to Oamaru yesterday. MINIATURE SHOOTING. The return shoot at Duntroon between Otekaike and Duntroon resulted as follows (posible 70);—Otekaike: R. Fraser 6S, J. R. Donnell 65, H. Morrison 64. P. Lister 64, M. Dennison 64, J. Crec 62, W. Dumbleton, jun., 62, C. Watt 61, S. Donnell 59, P. G. Wright 57. Total 620. Duntroon: W. Sharp 65, J. Dovey, jun., 64, R. O’Connor 63, R. M. J ames 63, Dr Rawnsley 62, G. Manlev 62, W Bock 59, A. W. Coppell 59, M. H. Ramsay 5?. Total, 616. Messrs A. W. Cappcll and P. Lister spoke on behalf of the teams. Next week’s shoot at Duntroon will be on Tuesday in place of Monday. SALE OF PROPERTY. The Aitavady Estate, at Awamoko, which has been successfully farmed by Mr M. Spratt for some years past, has been sold at a satisfactory figure to Mr Herbert Simpson, of Kurow. The property was sold through the agency of Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. as a going concern. RAIN AT SHOWS. The past season has been unique so far as South Island shows are concerned in the fact that not one of these gatherings has been held without a heavy fall of rain. Ashburton started the ball rolling. Then came Timaru, Christchurch, and Waimate. The elements promised well for Oamaru. but on the concluding day the conditions changed, and a record attendance had the satisfaction late in the afternoon of upholding the reputation of neighbours and being drenched to the skin. OBITUARY. The friends of Mr Henry Schaffer, of tv incisor, will regret to hear ot the death Of his wife, which occurred at her home On Thursday, at tho age of 53 years. The deceased was highly respected in the district, and Mr Schaffer has the sympathy of the whole countryside in his bereave Inent. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Sir James Allen, ex-High Commissioner lor New Zealand in London, delivered an iddress in Everybody’s Picture Theatre at Oamaru last night on the aims and achievements of the League of Nations. The address was on similar lines to those delivered in the main centres. The chair was occupied by his Worship the Mayor (Ml M'PiaHuid).

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

METHODIST MISSION

The Methodist annual foreign missionary meeting was held in Wesley Church on Thursday evening, whyi a very informative address was given by the Rev. J. I!. Metcalfe who, for the last six years, has been stationed at Bambatana, a prominent district on the west coast of the Island of Choiscl, in the Solomon Islands. Mr Metcalfe was able to speak ot what he himself had sec>» of the power of the Gospel to uplift the dark-skinned heathen of the Pacific. A liberal collection was taken np on behalf of his work. _ In the afternoon advantage was taken of Mr Metcalfe’s presence to hold a special meeting of the women’s missionary auxiliary, and a capital attendance was secured of lauics who listened with great interest to the story of the work among the women and girls. A very hearty vote of thanks was passed to the speaker by Sister CTopp, of the hospital staff.

CONGRATULATIONS. At the conclusion of the show at Oamaru yesterday the stewards and committeemen met in the stewards’ room and toasted the health of the president (Mr J. Gibson) and vice-president (Mr D. Clark). Mr Jas. Mitchell proposer! the health of both officials, and the toasts were drunk with enthusiasm. Messrs Gibson and Clark suitably responded.