Farming.

Opunake Times, Volume XXI, Issue 751, 27 June 1905, Page 3

Farming.

(N.Z. Dairyman). A MEW BUTTER PACKAGE. The other day, at the Government cool store, in Melbourne, a demonstration was given of a new method ol packing batter. They say that the invention will do away with the necessity of using boxes made of New Zealand pine, and that the protection it affords butter is such that it may be exported in boxes made of any timber. The new appliance consists of sheets of newly-prepared lining, resembling cardboard, but they are pliant, tough, and glossy. It is called the Bishop Mark’s patent. Contact is prevented by the use of parchment paper, and butter packed in this way and left in the cool store, for nearly eight weeks was opened in the presence of the representatives of the trade, and found to be in good condition. If the invention turns out successfully, a great saving will undoubtedly be effected.

THE NEW SHIPPING CONTEACT. We are pleased to be able to announce that the negotiations which have been proceeding for some months past between the New Zealand Shipping Company, the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, and the National Association for a reduction in the freights on butter and cheese have so far been brought to a successful issue that a five years’ contract has been signed on behalf of the North Island Dairy Association, and it is confidently anticipated that the South Island Association will follow suit. The present contract, providing for a rate of freight of three farthings per lb on butter and nine-sixteenths of a penny per lb on cheese was entered into on Ist October, 1902, for a period of five years, and has therefore two years to run. In consideration of the > cancellation of the balance of the present contract the shipping companies stipulated for a new contract extending over a period of seven years; this, however, the Dairy Association refused to entertain, and named five years as the limit for which it was prepared to contract. It is satisfactory to learn that after considerable discussion the shipping companies have at length given way, and the new contract is for a term of five years, commencing on October 1 next. The exact terms of the new agreement as between the Dairy Association and the shipping companies run as follows:—“ It is hereby mutually agreed that the existing contracts for the carriage of dairy produce from New Zealand be extended on the following conditions, the contracts to terminate on Ist October, 1910 : For the first two years the rate of freight on butter to be : Five-eighths of a penny per lb for butter in boxes, eleven-sixteenths of a penny per lb in kegs. For the remaining three years the freight to be : Nine-sixteenths of a penny per lb for butter in boxes ; five-eighths of a penny per lb for butter in kegs. Net weight, without primage, if freight paid in the colony; if freight paid in London, plus 2 per cent. The rate of freight on eheese for the whole term to be : One halfpenny per lb, net freight, without primage, if freight paid in the colony; if freight paid in London, plus 2 per cent. The temperature of the butter not to exceed 15 deg., and cheese to be carried at a temperature of 45 to 60 deg. ” As compared with the existing contract, the concessions granted by the shipping companies are: On butter for the first two years, one-eighth of a penny per lb., and for the remaining three years three-sixteenths of a penny per lb ; on cheese, a reduction of one-sixteenth of a penny per lb., calculated on net weight instead of groMS, or equivalent to a reduction of one-eighth of a penny per lb. The saving to the dairy industry under the new rates of freight amounts to close on £25,000 per annum for the first two years, and an additional £IO,OOO for the remaining three years, calculated on last season’s export. That is to say, the Dairy Association, by arranging for the cancellation of the two years of the present contract lias effected a saving in freights of close upon £50,000, which sum the shipping companies have consented to forego in consideration ol an extension of the contract. A NEW FIEM OF BUTTER BUYERS. Messrs John Isaac and Sons, of Cardiff, England, write ;—“ We have Very great pleasure in advising you that we have made arrangements with Mr W. T. Welch, of New Plymouth, to represent us in your colony. We are large receivers of colonial butters creameries, separator, and milled goods; and in securing the services of Mr Welch, who has been very highly spoken of to us, we look with confidence for a larger and closer connection with you. We have handled certain factories on consignment for some years past, and it has given us a very great pleasure to receive letters of congratulation on the Successful and satisfactory returns we have made. “ The South Wales district consumes a very large proportion ot the New Zealand butter coming to this country, and in the interest of yourselves it is important that the requisite quantity required for the district should come to Cardiff, and we believe that the appointment of Mr Welch will conduce materially to this end. ”