AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

It is frequently a difficult matter to get direct and convincing evidence in a prosecution for cruelty to animals, and this wasexemplified at the Police Court on Thursday, when a man was accused of ill-treating a» heifer by tying its legs together and leaving it lying for six or seven hours. Briefly, the cause of this was that wheju about to pass through the north end of the town the animal, from some reason which remained undivulged, became violently excited and dangerous. After

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giving a man, a very lively minute or two by chasing him round an express, it was driven into a yard and captured. The owner procured a clothes line and secured it by tying three of its legs up, and then went off to" take the rest of his cattle to Burnside. The point on which the case hung was whether the treatment was " wanton " or not, and there -was not a tittle of evidence to sustain this suggestion. At the same time evidence was "brought to show that the craature suffered pain. Ouo witness drew very fine distinctions on the matter, and while, he would not swear that the animal was in "pain," he was satisfied that it was "suffering." He was guided to his conclusion by " the way it rolled its eyes and heaved it's side;." In dismissing the case without calling for a defence, IMr Graham intimated his readiness to support the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in all cases brought before him ■of wilful and wanton cruelty, lAit there was no evidence of that in the present case. The following telegram from New York appears in a late San Francisco paper to ■demonstrate that frozen New Zealand mutton can be shipped in good condition to the United States :— " A spring lamb, killed and dressed in New Zealand, has been sent to an importing firm in New York. It readied here on the steamer Majestic after transportation of 16,000 miles. It is good and solid, despite the long journey of 70 days. In view of the fine quality, cheapness, and abundance of lambs in New Zeaiand, the experhnent is regarded with much Interest by New York butchers." Witli reference to the particulars of a shipment of poultry from New Zealand received In London without heads and legs, given by .our London correspondent in his letter, dated •10th August, and published last -week, wo learn from. Mr Hyde, tho Government poultryexpert, that the Department of Agriculture liad nothing to do with any such shipment. All poultry shipped by the" department aro packed ten in a box, and they are not without the heads and legs. Evidently the shipment referred to by our correspondent was a private venture. The Field says that harvesting operations "began in the south of Ireland as early as July 20, imported New Zealand oats being the first of the cereals fit for •cutting, even those fields seeded from the produce of last season's importation being as a rule considerably in advance of the bulk of those seeded in spring with ordinary Home-grown grain. All the grain stores at the Bluff are biisy transferring the contents of the ordinary sacks of oa.ts into 801b bags ; this is in consequence of the acceptance by Southland merchants of ■a large order which is to be delivered in the' ■smaller bags. These are being imported from the other side, and are coming to hand by «very -steamer. The shipment will be taken away early in October by the steamer The Needles. — Southland Times. The Nelson ~ Colonist states that Mr J. IBlackmore, the Government fruit expert, is tinder instructions to moke Nelson his headquarters during the next 12' months, and 'consequently nearly the whole of Mr Blackmore's time will be at the services of the fruitgrowers of that district. This step has been .made necessary by the increasing importance of the fruit-growing industry there. The total receipts of paid admission money at the Roj'al Agricultural Society's Show at Melbourne recently amounted to £3686, which Is a record for the society. Total revenue in connection with the show was £6318, and expenditure £3200. Referring- to the large quantity of grain Tecently despatched • from Winslow station, totalling- 360 trucks, the Ashburton Mail is informed that the shipment was made direct to the Home markets by Mr John Grigg, and that Messrs Friedlander Bros, arranged the •charter of the vessel on Mr Grief's account. The milk supply at Edendale Dairy Factory is at present 1000 gallons per* day. Tho bot-fly is already making his appearance at Puerua, and horses are getting very restive because of this. On Tuesday evening a special train passed . through Milton (says the Bruce Herald) conveying from the south between 40 and 50 trucks of prime sheep for the Islington Freezing Works, in Canterbury. A ferret was ob&erved killing- a lamb on Mr C Rogers's property, Wainuioru, la<-eFy (says the Wairarapa Standard). The ferret stuck to the lamb and worried it until quite dead. This dearly shows that these vermin will, when rabbits are scarce, kill lambs. The annual meeting of the Wyndham Dairy Factory Company was held on September 21. There were about 25 shareholders present. Mr James Walker, chairman of directors, prosided. In moving the adoption of the annual . report and balance sheet, the chairman said . that, from every point of view, the papt sea- ' eon's operations had been most successful. The output of cheese, 220 tons, was the record one for the factory ; and, as showing the ex- - cellent quality of the milk, they had lib of cheese for every 101b of milk, and four tons of cheese over and above that quantity. The milk suppliers had been paid 9d per 1b for butter fat for eight months, and lOd for four

months in -winter. These payments would be equal to 3^d per gallon ; and, as they would sea from the- revenue account, the profits on the year's tranactions, after paying all expenses and allowing for depreciation, amounted "to £591 0s sd. This amount had , been applied to wipe off their indebtedness to the bank, about 3530, and the balance had been carried forward. He was pleased to say that, for the iirst time since the company's inception 11- years ago, they would commence the new uaason's operations free of debt. He mighl also mention that the coming season's output had been sold to the same buyer as last year, at a satisfactory figure. The motion for the adoption of the report and balance sheet' was then put and carried. The retiring director; — Messrs Campbell, Crosbie, and Munro- — were re-elected without opposition, and duly returned thanks. Mr Allan was re-appointed auditor at a remuneration of sgh\ A hearty vote of thanks to the directors' was carried by acclamation. — At a meeting of directors, held immediately afterwards, Mr James Walker was re-elected chairman. •

The Riversdale correspondent of the Mataura Ensign reports that the recent cold snap has caused great havoc among the younglambs, several in the paddocks, which were basking in the sunshine a few days ago, lying otiff on the ground.

Mr H. F. Gray, a Canterbury sheep farmer, who has been contributing a series of articled to the Christchurch Press on his impressions of >South Africa, arrives at the following conclusions in reference to that colony as a field for settlement : — I have now said what I think necessary. I came to South Africa to judge for myself what have been the causes of the slow rate of settlement; what the causes of the huge imports of grain, ir-eat, butter, milk , cheese, bacon, poultry, eggs, e'.c. I have not satisfied myself why poultry and eggs should be imported, but 1 have satisfied myself why grain, butter, milk, chseya, and bacon should be imported so largely, and I have satisfied myself why meat -is imported. Settlement has been slow because the country is unfit for settlement. There is room for development in pastoral occupations, but I do not call large pastoral holdings settlement ; neither do I call mineral occupations settlement, for they are fitful, and cannot be called permanent ; nevertheless they do assist settlement in a country otherwise fit for it, but that does not apply here. The country has not in it the elements fofMrue settlement, and as a land for settlement South Africa is not worth fighting for. Vegetation throughout ihe northern district, says the Lyttelton Times, is making rapid growth. The early sown crops are beginning to stool and have a very healthy appearanco. The lambing continues satisfactorily, and percentages are high, the mortality of lambs having, up to the present, been much below the average. The annual horse parade, under the auspices of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, was held on Saturday, September 22. The weather was almost perfect, the attendance of the public was very large, and great interest was taken in the horses brought forward for exhibition. The entries were fairly numerous, there being 27 draughts, 5 thoroughbreds and 6 roadsters and carriage horses. This number has only been equalled once, in 1898. Mr Small had four entries, including Dr Seddon, Captain Russell, and Lord Willowby, which attracted much attention. Middlerig Prince was in grand condition. He was shown by his old proprietor, Mr Grice, who also showed Scottish Chief, a fine three-year-old colt. Top-Gallant is a very good looking horse, and so is Lacquer ; and a horse that should come on well is- Lord Kitchener. The well-known Prince Alexander has improved greatly since last year. Craigielea, Young Extinguisher, and Blairgowrio were in good form. Mr Grigg's Alexander's Heir is another improved horse. The same owned showed Challenger. General Whit© was not in parade condition.. Among the thoroughbreds, Double Event and Obligado attracted most attention." Among the trotters were the well-known horses Genera) Tracy and Prince Imperial.

Arrangements are in a forward state, says the Poverty Bay Herald, for holding early in the new year the largest land sale that has ever been held in this' district. Plans are now being printed of some 67,000 acres of the Mangatu block, which has been subdivided into convenient pastoral runs by Mr A. F. Matthews, surveyor, and these will be circulated within a few weeks. In addition, large portions of the Tahora, Maraetaha, and Motu blocks are being got icady for disposal at the same time. The plans are of an attractive nature, and will be circulated throughout the colony. The sale should attract many new aetllers and much capital to the district.

"Anti-fur," who claims to have had 25 years' experience among rabbits, writes as fallows to the Oamaru Mail : —As the Rabbit Nuisance Act has lately been occupying the attention of a good number of persons ' I should like to make adme remarks anent the question. Twenty-five years' experience among rabbits shows me clearly thai neither poisoning nor trapping will materially decrease the pest. Bill take the two together and this result will be arrived at — viz., not extermination — that is almost impossible on ranges_ such as Wakatipu and Waitaki — but reduction to such a degree that there is no nuisance. To take_ poisoning first : When'rabbits first made their appearanoe in Southland they were allowed to get a good footing before much of a systematic raid was made against them (want of inspectors). 'Jinen ~ about 1874 all sorts of means were taken,

dogging being the chief, without checking the increase in the loast."" Doggers, sjhoolers, and trappers were tried, and some estates even imported gameke,eper,-s from England and experienced tfaperd from' Oolac (Victoria) to cope with the pest, but still without success, and 1200 working dogs on Waimea Estate alone were also unsuccessful. These I saw with my own eyes. Then poison was started, I think by Captain Halmond. Poisoning became general (with oats), and although .the mixing and laying was done in a most primitive style, still it was the first means used to check, and then to deereose, the rabbits. Pollard poifjon vras then discovered, and has proved vastly superior to oats. Pollard laid systematically from June to September (June, July, and August preferred) will give the rabbits a big shake, and, to all appearances, clear the ground. Bui this iti not so, as there is always a percentage of rabbits that will not take the poison, and here trapping comes in. Start the trapping treason, say, m iviarch, and continue till June, and these wary old devils (1 can find no other name for them) that would not take the poison will soon be on their way to England. Trap in season and fallow at ones with poison, giving inspectors power to enforce poisoning in season, and to summon an owner if he does not lay poison in that season.

At a meeting of the Central Agricultural Bureau of South Australia, held on August 20, the following resolution was carried: — ' That provision should be made in the Local Governemnt Bill now before the House, authorising municipal corporations and district councils to prohibit the use for reward of -unsuitable stallions and bulls for stud purposes." The Waikaka, Valley correspondent of- the Southern Standard writes:— Owing partly to the fine weather, which until lately prevailed, fprm work is well forward, although there is still a small area on some farms yet to be ploughed^ Oats are the principal crops giown in this district, and the greater part of the seed is now in the ground. As the small birds are very troublesome during the seed time, a number of farmers had previously Featured poisoned grain in order to diminish this pest. In some cases the results were good. The rabbits, which are becoming rather numerous at present, have also been getting their share of poison, and although such a larp-e number are being pent to the freezing work's, there is also need of poison being laid for them. A number of young lambs -are to be seen running about. The fine weather was greatly in their "favour, but the last few days have been rather severe on them. There is still a small area of turnips on most farms, and, as the grass is good, stock ot all kinds have an abundance of feed.

At the meeting of the Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association at Timaru, there was some laughter at certain naive remarks by the chairman. He said thai; some shareholders held that the association should not make such large profits. "This could not be avoided ; for instance, they bought goods on a rising market, and could not sell them below the riding rates ; and profits on produce handled were also forced upon them."

The Mataura Dairy Factory Company opened the season on Saturday, September 22, with an intake of aboiit 500 gal. It is understood that the season's cheese has not yet been sold.

Tho following are the shipments ot grain and produce from Lyttelton for the week ended Friday, September 21: — For the United Kingdom: 21,612 sks wheat. For Australian ports: 2938 sks oats, 7090 sks and 15 cases potatoes, 25 pits wheat. Coastwise : 244-9 sks and 3 bags potatoes, 1661 sks wheat, 433 sks oats, 613 sks, 1390 bags and 2 ca«es fioiir, 95 sks sharp?, 342 isks bran, 15 sks barley. Total shipments: 23,323 sks -nheat, 9539 sks, 3 bags and 15 cases potatoes, 3426 sks oats, 613 sks, 1390 bags and 2 cases flour, 95 sks sharps, 342 sks bran, 15 sks barley. One of the irritating looses to which, shippers -of frozen meat are subjected is a deductjon of 21b per sheep and lib per lamb from the weight of their consignments when the meat arrives in London. It is not claimed by the agents that the carcases weigh any less than at the time they were shipped, but it seems to be a custom in the trade to make the deduction as tare. The loss may not appear to be a very great one, but it means about 8d on each sheep and 4^d or more on each lamb, and on a large consignment would amount to a considerable sum. Moreover, there is no apparent justification for the deduction. Those farmers who do not ship on their own account, and have wondered why their weights have been less than they should be, may now understand to some extent the cause of the discrepancy. It is another instance of the absorbing power of the middleman." — Timaru Post.

The monthly meeting of the Waitahuna Farmers' Olub took place on Monday, September 24- ; Mr J. H. Bateman (president) in thd chair. The secretary of the- Patriotic Committee, Dunedin, wrote requesting the club to advise promptly of any members of the New Zealand contingents returning to the district, and at the same time to let them know, as far as possible, of the circumstances in each case, together with what ai-

si&tance, if any, was necessary. The president, vice-president, and the secretary were appointed to select the judges for the forthcoming agricultural show. It as decided to add the f ollowmg to the show j)rogTamme : "That a prize be given for the most suitable horse for mounted infantry, to be ridden by a trooper in uniform." Mr Rose brought under the notice of the Club the high rates

charged on wool by the Railway department," and said that pressure ought to be brought to bear with the "view of getting the charges reduced. The price of wool was low, and, to all appearance, likely to be' so for some time. Then, again, the rates were o.ut- of " all p'reportion to those charged on other products. The freight was 4s 9id per bale from Waitahuna to Dunediu, and allowing 26 bales to the truck, it amounted to £6 4s 7d per truck. The rate charged on grain to Dunedin was £s 7d per ton, equal to £2 11s 6d per truck. Sheep were conveyed from Waitahuna to Burnside for J3l 9s 6d per truck, the truck having to be sent empty, whereas tin wool truck conies loaded, and the rate of £6 4s 7d is charged on the wool from Waitahuna to-Dunedm. The -waggoners would come to his woolshed, a distance of six miles from the Waitahuna railway station, load the' wool, and take it into town cheaper than the railway. Mr Rose moved, and it was oarried : '"That the secretary be" instructed to write the Minister for Railways drawing his attention to the excessive railway charges p.t present on wool, and praying for a reduction on the same ; a copy of the resolution to be forwarded to the member for Bruce (Mr Allen) ; also that a copy of the resolution be sent to other kindred societies requesting their co-operation in the matter."

A further trial of the Hercules cultivator took place at Mr Murdoch Campbell's, Otautau, on Monday, 24th, in the presence of a large and representative gathering of farmer?. The implement was again successful in pulverising the soil of a newly -ploughed field , and breaking up the closely-woven carpet of turf. Those present expressed themselves as astonished at' the result. An equally successful exposition was witnessed by a number of farmers on Mr Donald M 'Donald's farm, Hedgehope. — Southland Times.

Preparations ar.e being made at Waikawa, writes the correspondent of the Southland Times, by those who intend to supply milk to the dairy factory, but many of last' year's suppliers have left the district, and others inform 'me they do not intend to supply milk this season, as they are not satisfied with the prices given — 7id against lOd in other districts. A great many cattle have changed hands here recently at very satisfactory prices. Several mob& have left the district, sold or for sale, and only one mob has returned. Nearly all the farmers have got their crops in, arid are busy making ready for root crops.

A horse parade, under the auspices of the Geraldine and Temuka A. and P. Association, was held at Geraldine on the 26th ult. The weather was unfavourable, but there was a fair attendance of breeders and others interested. The parade was conducted by Mr Shallciass, of the firm of Maling and Shallcrass, and Mr A. W. Gaze, secretary of the association. There were only two draughts entered, Mr J. Bell's No Surrender and Mr W. Kean's Prince Charlie. The thoroughbred class was represented by Mr W. De Renzy's Deloraine, Mr P. Burkes Hanlan, Mr W. Kean's Marlborough, and Mr G. M 'Donald's Te Kooti. The hackneys were Mr W. L. Ashby's Exchange and Mr W. De Renzy's The Lute. 'Mr F. D. Pctrie, of Rangitata Bridge, showed Lord Roberts, a nice little pony by Darkest Africa. m

A general meeting of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Tuesday, September 25. Mr W. F. M. Buckley presided, and there was a good attendance, of members. The chairman reported that sines last meeting an additional £20 had been offered for special prizes, bringing -the total up to £140. l Further prizes had been allocated, and among, them was one of £5 5s in connection with a milking competition. Members of the association are taking great interest in the coming show, which promises to be very successful in every department. Class stewards ha-\e been appointed foi the different classes. _ Altogether the sum of £500 is offered in prizes.

The first wool (two 'truck loads) of the season was received on the 26th lilt., says the Timaru Post, by the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association, and will be offered for sale at the first wool sale in November. The wool, which came from the Woodbtuij district, is exceptionally early. The farmers at Mataura, writes the correspondent of the Southland Times, have .mostly got their peed in. They complain bitterly of the bird pest, and "most of them are laying poisonous grain, inquiries for supplies of which are made daily. Lambs are to be seen on most of the farms, and so far the weather has been favourable tc theii existence.

The Christchurch Pres. says:— Copious, rains have given the grain farmers all the moisture which, they say, is required for the crops to serve till early in December. The young grain is presenting a healthy, green apearance, and is fast covering the ground. The Auckland butchers have decided that it will be necessary for them to increase the retail prices of meat. A great scarcity is reported of fat stock. Last week beef sold from 20s to 23s per hundred, and fat sheep that ordinarily should, be worth about 12s reached a"s high as 18s, and this, too, before freezing for export has fairly started for the season. No doubt (says the Auckland Star) this is to some extent the outcome of the steadily-growing sxport of lambs, which, of course, means a check on increase of flocks. It is becoming increasingly probable, re-

marks the^ Australasian Pastoralists' R-eview, that last year's "boom" in wool was a, curse in disguiEe. As against the profits actually in the grower!s pocket have to be placed, not only the reaction 'from which the market is still suffering, but what we are afraid will be a permanent lowering in the standard of clothing." "a?he*highl price to which merino wooLwent gave a' tremendous impetus to the movement to work? up crossbred and inferior wools with merino, so as to present an appearance similar to the best "whole merino, and, what is worse, to work up cotton and other inferior materials with marine The consequence is such a shrinkage in the demand for merino and wool generally that, at a time when general trade is good and the output of merinos at minimum point, it looks very much as if the-supply were in excess of the demand. If, this should prove to be so, it would be ,a Very bad look-out for merino wool when a -return of, good, seasons increases the output .again "loathe "1£95 standard, 1 as must certainly -be the case before many years. But we -may hope that the disturbance- of trade, owing to wars and rumours of war, has something to do with the want of demand for wool, and we .know that the immediate position is largely influenced by a -very natural feeling of reaction, aggravated by the policy of holding -over. An American farmer describes a very inj terasting experience with wheat: — "It is so much at variance with my previous ideas on the subject that I think it may _be of interest. In 1893 I observed in the middle of my field of golden chaff wheat one stool which was headed out more than a week in advance of that about it. Jt" was a foot taller, and had larger heads than the others. There were six heads, cqritaining 274 kernels of bald red wheat. I planted them 'in alittle plot by themselves, where there had been no wheat raised for many yehrs, and though I had other wheat in the vicinity, I know there was no mixing of , seea, for I conducted every" operation myself from beginning to end,, 'in 1899 I harvested fr.om this little plot a's mixed a lot of wheat as I ( ever saw. Some of it was dark red, some clear white, and the rest every possible shade of colour between the. two. I sorted it carefully, grain by grain, putting the red, the white, and the mixed shades (about one-half of it) each by itself. I sowed these again in adjacent plots, taking special care not to mix the seed. I have just harvested the crop, about 30 large bundles, and I have the same -result as in 1699.' The wheat is of all shades, from pure white" to 'dark red indiscriminately, without regard to what I sowed. I. have harvested red wheat where I sowed white only, and white where I sowed red only, and all shades between mixed up together. Jt is an extra early, strong-strawed, bald wheat, which was fully headed out this year by June 1, from 10" days to two weeks in advance of other wheat' in the vicinity. It was sown September 16. I shall sow it again this year, and make no attempt to separate it into different varieties."

Mr Hogg, member for Maslerton, in the early part of the session of Parliament introduced a bill to amend the Rabbit Nuisance Act, with the twofold object of doing away with the arbitrary powers vested in the inspectors and empowering the magistrate before whom the cases of alleged breaches of the act are heard to deal with them judicially. .The Southland News refers to this matter in an article, from which we select the following extracts : — At the suggestion of the Minister for Lands, Mr Hogg, instead of having tho bill debated on its second reading, referred it to the Stock Committee, in whosihands. it remained for several' weeks. The committee, after .hearing voluminous evidence. — including that of the rabbit inspectors themselves—the other day. brought up a report "recommending that the bill be not further proceeded with." Mr Hogg was naturally nettled at the manner in which he had beerr apparently jockeyed. He said he had dons his duty in endeavouring to get a universallydepired amendment carried out, and was very sorry to say that a Minister of the Crown appeared to have been responsible for what was an undoubtedly much-needed reform not being carried into operation this session. Mr Duncan did not reply at once, but after several members had given expression to other views — chiefly by way of endorsement to those held by Mr -JHogg-^he entered upon explanations which, if not "wholly satisfactory, exonerated him from "any imputation of duplicity. . . . It may be added as an illustrative of the saying "Circumstances alter cases," that, as a private member, Mr Duncan last year strongly advocated the amendment embodied in the strangled bill. Ministerial responsibility has evidently caused him to look at the subject in a somewhat different light. Correspondents of the Wyndham. Herald : — Mokoreta: The weather during the past two months has been remarkably fine — in. fact it is many years since we have had stich a good spring. In consequence of the dryness of the weather, farm work has been carried on without a single stoppage, and the farmers round aboufr are nearly finished sowing. What was sown early has had a splendid chance. With the hope of a good summer, we can expect good - yields. Stock on every hand are in excellent condition, and lambs are to be seen frisking about on every farm. I believe the

The "Superlative" raspberry is the fine's! raspberry in cultivation. Obtainable 01113 from Nimmo and Blaib. Only a few left, bo order early*

percentage of lambs will" be a very high one. Through "the enterprise of Mr H. G. Bacon, the valley settlers are to have a dairy factory In their midst. The building- is very neat completion; and let us hope a good supply of milk will be forthcoming on opening day, rwhich, I believe, will be in' about a fortnight. On Friday evening last a social was held in "the factory in connection with the opening, as it was deeifted necessary to hold it before tho curing room was shelved. Mr W. Muir '(Carie) occupied the chair, and said he was ■very pleased to preside over such a notable function.; and urged on the suppliers the necessity of furnishing a good supply of pure milk. — Waikawa: Never in the memory of the oldest Waikawaite has there been experienced such a good winter as the past. With the exception of two or three days; last week, at has continued fine without a break. Every farmer one meets here now has a smile upon lis face. It is quite different to what it "was two or three years ago ; > but at that time .-we had not experienced any of the good thing 3 that have been granted and forced upon us lately. First, we got a substantial Teduction on our land. This we did need, and V.ere truly thankful for, especially to those gentlemen - who honestly interested ■iheiMselvee on our behalf. Secondly, we were presented (on certain conditions) with a dairy i'aclory. For this* we tried to be thankful ; , "but some being what may be probably called a bit dour, 'failed to appreciate the intended jkindness, and did not avail themselves of the liboon. However, the report and balance sheet issued by the proprietor recently ought to ;«lispel all gloom, and points to a brilliant j Suture to all those who are not foolish enough j.40 stand in their own light. The report is ' interesting reading, with funny pieces all ( (through — especially where it is stated that r some of the cows look as if they had been at the siege of Kimberley ; yet this statement _ is preceded by another, which says Progress i iValley (Waikawa district) is one of the best grazing districts in Southland. This is not anuch of a compliment to the foresight of the manager or person who had the ■apportioning 1 of the cows for these farms. Neither is it •very encouraging for intending suppliers. They will naturally imagine that such like "blundering- may enter into the other departments of the business.

The following is the directors' report, to he presented at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Waikouaiti Dairy Factory: — In presenting the twelfth annual report, your directors have much pleasure in stating that the last season's operations were the most satisfactory .the -company have, experienced bo far. More milk >was received and more cheese, manufactured than during any previous seaKon, tho 'figures being: pounds of milk, 2,410,254 ; pounds of butter fat, 93,994 ; pounds of cheese made,, 247,,29'h or over 11Q

tons; highest number of suppliers, 48. The average percentage of butter fat A'aried from 3.6 in November up to 4.4 in May. The price paid suppliers was 9d per lb of butter fat from opening up to end of March, and lOd from Ist April till end of season. Calculating- 111b of milk to the gallon, 219,117 gal were received, and the average price paid per gallon was just a shade under 4d, this

being the best price ever paid by the company. The profit on the year's transactions amounts to £361 16s 7d, which the directors recommended to be applied as follows — viz : — J,d per lb of butter fat as a bonus to all milk suppliers of past season ; a dividend of 7g per cent, to shareholders; and a sufli-

cient sum to be added to the reserve fund so as to enable the directors to refund 10s per share to shareholders, thereby reducing- ' the capital of the company by one-half. Altogether, this will absorb about £340 of the surplus of profit. The Waipawa correspondent of the Hawke's Ray Herald learns from an authentic source

&hat the Government will purchase the Milbourne estate, known better as "The Brow," or Stokes run. Furi,her,_that the Land Purchase department has made an offer to Mrs Herrick for the Forest Gate property. The board has had the property valued by competent valuers, and the offer is considered a fair value. The area is 8000 acres, and it is proposed to cut it up into 100, 200, and 3CO acre lots if purchased. The agricultural and pastoral statistics are to be collected between the 15th October and the 10th November. Messrs John Findlay, John Smith, and Alex. Petrie, the committee appointed by the Clutha and Matau A. and P. Society to select a draught stallion for Ihe district, were in Dunedin yesterday, sa3 r s last Friday's Free Press, in pursuance of their mission, but did not succeed in completing any arrangement. As before stated, the society have a guarantee of 60 mares at £5 and £4, but this did not prove sufficient inducement for the owner of any of the horses deemed suitable by the committee, who, Mr Findlay informs us, were determined to have a first-class animal or none at all. The imported horse Aitken Brae, owned by Mr James Patrick, Taieri, was one of those fixed upon, but the owner wanted a guarantee :>f £6. Messrs J. W. Wilson, J. R. Mitchell, and J. C. Anderson have al&o been unsuccessful so far in securing a light horse, but we understand negotiations are in progress. The Gore Dairy Factory will b& open to receive milk on and after Thursday, October 4. The first wool sale of the season is to be

held on Friday, November 30, at 10 a.m., tlie second on Thursday, January 3, 1901, is to - start at 7 o'clock at night. This is to -give the buyers more time in passing the wool af-

ter the sale. The last. sale will be held early in February, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon. — Timaru Herald.

A special train left Clinton on Thursday morning with a consignment of 43 trucks of prime freezers (2400), consigned by Messrs. Dalgety and Co. (Limited), on account of various vendors, to the Christchurch Meat Company.

A reason against the prosecution of treeplanting in Canterbury and Otago was given by the Minister of Lands in the House. He said that the trees harboured small birds, which shipped the crops. If, said Mr Duncan, the small birds could be got into subjection, settlers would, for iheir own benefit, readily plant trees.

Correspondents of the Southern Standard: Pukerau : Farmers in this dietricfc have almost finished putting in their oats. Tha weather during the past seven or eight weeks has bean capiial for this work. Bunny is not altogether exterminated yet. oome of the labbiters are getting good catches, and the ofnea is still open in this township. — Hedgehope : Sowing is just about finished, and we | have had splendid weather for it. Lambing is also nearly over, and there will be a singularly large percentage this year. The roads have never been in such good trim as they are at present. — Pomahaka Downs : Six settlers v/ho failed to meet their financial engagements with the Land Board received notice to-day (September 24). to give up occupation ; of their holdings" in seven days. One settler, on receiving the sad news, cornme&ced to ciy, he being a married man with a large family, ap.d is supposed to have not a single penny. Much sympathy 13 felt for him in his tagging ciicumstaiie€3w-.- The other five ,-are single men, and are taking their ejectment fairly well. Two left the district immediately their sections weiV forfeited — three months .ago. The sections are now grouped, and. the late holders cannot get their land back a.gain unless" they take the- adjoining section. This they will never do. Another petition has been forwarded to the Government for relief. The late holders are determined not to go out of occupation until paid for improvements. This the board cannot do until they get other tenants; and it is feared that forcible means will have to be taken lo evict the present tenants. In v order to 'be successful, a pei son will -require to havo from £1000 to £1200 to farm the new pections. This grouping business is a very Stupid move on the part of the board. Why, a man would be wiser to buy a place right out elsewhere. Over 4000 acres ara now unlet. The late tenants are determined to make a firm stand till the bitter end. They claim valuation for improvements.

The Ontario Farmers' Advocate of August 1 slates that the Hessian fly has made its appearance in Canada again, and reports are coming in from many parts of the province that this serious pest of the wheat field has done very extensive injury, to the extent of destroying many hundreds of acres of fall wheat which until a few weeks ago gave every promise of a very abundant harvest.