AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

The satisfactory returns which have been, received of the results of shipments of chilled Canterbury mutton to Australia (says the Lyttelton Times) have caused a movement in the same direction, and all the space in both the Union and HuddartParker boats for some time to come has been secured, as also has the available 6paeefor live ehe-ep. Seveial shippers have also> arranged to ship a quantity of beef on deck. The beef will be e'ullcd. and it is expected that after this process it will easily keep until it roaches the Sydney market.

A gentleman largely interested in pastoral property in the drought area of Australia, writing to a correspondent here, refers to the di=cusFion on trie subject of the refusal of the Federal Government to reduce the> duty on New Zealand and other foreigngrown produoe. He pays tbat while doing thi3 the Commonwealth Government has done something very much better for the fanning industry by reducing the railwayfreights en fodder by 75 per cent. Lookingat the high prices prevailing in New Zealand, which imply a veiy small surplus, if any, and the very high cost of delhcringNow Zealand produce in Australia, it is pretty evident that the measures taken by the Federal Government are quite as effectual as a mere reduction of duty.

In connection with the revision of the dairy regulations by the Minister of Agriculture, a letter, of which the following 13 a copy, has been signed by a number of the rnobt prominent plumbers and tinsmiths in Dunedin, and despatched to the Minister: — "We, the undersigned plumbers, tinsmiths, zinc, iron, brass, and copper workers of Dunedin, being largely interested in the manufacture of dairy ut 'nsils, milk coolers, aerators, etc.. d^cire to draw your attention, to the clause in the dairy regulations which provides that milk shall bo cooled to a. temperature of not more than obdeg. As \v& do a lii'"ge trade in coolers and aerators, we find the farmers who can provide springwater Luy coolers, aud thotre wlio cannot do .=o buy aerator*; but as aerators cannot cool milk to a temperature of 65deg in summer we lespcctfully ask you to ti'kethis fact seriously into consideration when, revising tho dairy regulations, otherwise our trade iv such coolcis will be seriously injured."

Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs: Tho demand for New Zealand poultry for South Africa has slackened very considerably during the past few weeks owing, it. i-, believed, to the War Oflice having secured mo>t of the cold Ftorngo at the Cape for supplies which it had ordered for the troop 3, but which will not now be sent up-country. The Department of Industries has cabljd. to Capetown for information as to the prospects of the market for poultry, extent of the cold storage accommodation, etc., and has received the following reply : — Cold storage for poultry is always available provided requirements are cabled on shinment."

At the suggestion of the Agricultural Department the Dairy Committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce has decided to attend the annual meeting of the National Dairy Association to ascertain the views of that body on the question of retaining all factory brands on butter exported. Tho Agricultural Department desires to be guided by the decision of the Dairy Association. The Crown Dairy Company last season paid away in Woodville district £10,500 over and abovo that paid during the first season. The New Zealand Times says that a Wellington firm reroived an order from Australia on Saturday for 5000 hams, and more to follow. They repbed that .=uch large supplies were not obtainable, in the colony. A Dunstan Times representative, who has paid a flying visit to the southern district, writes that tßere is a remarkable scarcity of rabbits in that district — the large number taken away for freezing purposes nodoubt accounting for it. Stock generally is looking very well, and the district is in a> prosperous condition. Says the Tapanui Courier: Turnips aro very scarce in most places, and none are to be bought. The winter, fortunately, is very open, otherwise there would be great difficulty in wintering stock. With reference to the tendeis invited by tho Department of Industries and Commerce for the "iipply of 500 tons of prime table potatoes, the potatoes to be dehveied early in August, and 10 da\s' notice to be given of the exact date on winch delivery would be required, notice is now given that alternative tenders \. ill be re-?ived on the basis of 18 days' notice to deliver, that hoooiron may be used in place of wire for binding the cases ; and that payment will be made on the production of ship's receipt and certificate.

A northern exchange states that at a clearing sale of dairy stock held at Koliinui, Pahiatua, a few days ago, the whole herd averaged exactly £9 per head. Hop-growing has so greatly increased in, tho United States that last year 240.000 pickers we-re employed to strip 72,000,000 hop \ines It is stated that in England and Scotland the Government (Board of Trade) will not allow the same sheep trucks to be usod twice unless cleaned.

Mr Thomas Heath, of Pokororo, Nelson, has^just planted 1500 apple tree=, specially selected for him by Mr Blackmore, the Government Pomologist, with a view to growing fruit suitable for direct exportation to the London market.

The outbreak of anthrax at Te Awammu, Waikato, appears to have been satisfactorily dealt with. No cates occurred beyond tie

three at first reported. Of these, ono patient died, and the other two have now almost recovered.

-A well-known Gore dealer (reports the ■Ensign) has received an extensive order from the Liebig Extract of Meat Company, ■Condon, and during the n-ext few weeks he purposes slaughtering some 60 head of cattle at the Gore abattoirs for the purpose named. The nve-at will b& cut from the tones and sent Home in a frozen condition.

The Olutha Leader says that the erection of the Puerua creamery is proceeding apace. Five men are now engaged on the job, and the creamery will be ready for the ensuing season.

After having a look round the- country, several Canterbury farmers have recently purchased farms :o Southland.

It is calculated by some members of the [Farmers' Union (says the Press) that, if the demands of the threshing mill hands in regard to wages are acceded to, it will mean a direct tax of 3s 4d per acre on land, or Id per bushel on grain.

A Kurow correspondent reports that last week Mr T. A. Munro lost two large stacks of oata, valued at £150, by fire, in a paddock on Mr M'Caughtrie's farm, about seven miles from Eurow. The stacks were insured in the South British office. The cause of the fire is a mystery.

A Pahiatua farmer has a grievance against the Valuation Department. His improvements have been assessed at £150. He states that his house and outbuildings cost ibim £400, to say nothing of gra«amg, etc., and he alleges that the valuer never ■sisited liis property. ' A heavy maize crop has been grown this season (says the Gi°borne Times) by Mr Janies Jones, of Kahunui, Pouparae. From 20 acres of ground he has cribbed 25 sacks to the acre, and the crop is estimated to yield 112£ bushels per acre. Tho crop ehould aggregate 2500 bushels.

A remarkable disease was (says the New Zealand Times) discovered in a cow by "Veterinary-surgeon Burlin, of tho Department of Agriculture, on Wednesday. While Sir Hall, of Greytown, was milking one of his most valuable animals the creature suddenly fell dead. An examination by the veterinary officer disclosed the fact that a hydatid cynt, the pize of an ordinary hen's eggs, was embedded right in 'he imi c cles of the heart. Tho case is unique.

At a nueting of diro'ior* of the Mataura D.iiry Factoiv it wi>» i evolved to tuko immediate steps to equip the factory with a "butter plant, and that the residents of Tuturju be informed that the dnector* were prepared to proceed with the erection of a. skimming station ir> their district, provided that not le^s tiian 350 shares wore applied for, and that tlu-y be l requested to nominate thre<> of their number to meet the directors and fix upon a site.

The efficacy of poisoned giain in dealing •with the email birds which cat the farmers' grain in the Avon Read District was discussed briefly at the annual meeting of ratepayers last week. One ratepayer, who came from Southland, and had had experience in regard to the poitomng of rabbits, complained that while he placed poison down, nis efforts might be nullified by tho fact that his neighbour need not adopt a similar course. Another ratepayer stated that boys "went round the fences and caught large numbers of birds with nets, while not a dozen fell before the poisoned grain. The chairman Mr A. B. Morgan, complained that, owing to the action of th-e .Selwyn County Council, the board had to distribute poisoned grain at the same tiino that it paid for heads. Tho result was that it often had to pay for the heads of birds that died from eating the •Doi=onod grain. Mr Morgan staled that a ibill now before Parliament provided that boroughs should be compelled to take the came steps as the road boards in the direction of destroying the birds.

Several farmers have complained to the Bruce Herald of the nuisance caused by boys rabbiting with packs of dogs on their properties, and the eon=equ.~nt danper to their flocks at tin* particular time, which happens to bo tho lambing c on. A number of •useless dogs arc- also to be s^cen roaming about at their sweel will, and owners would do well to see that their charges are chained up just now

As an instance of the trade in da'rv cattle that is eventuating at present in "Waikato district. Auckland Province, we- (Wyndham Farmer) may mention that we notice by recent files the following auction linos: — M'Nicol and Co., at Ohaupo, 250 rows and [heifers, Jiilv 23; at Shafte-bury and Ohaupo, 100 head. July 15 and 16: "W.'j. 11-mter, at To Awamutu, 190 h^ad. July 12 and 16: at Ohaupo. 940 head. July 17; other talcs, 100 (head : — total, 1580 cows and before, piaclically all to calve in August and September. Similarly, in and around Hay era. Tdranaki Province, between June 16 and 31. we iioriee nuction sales of no less than Ve.^B dairy eews and heifer?.

At the Wyndhnm-Tklend.ile ploughing match dinner, held -it Wyndham on the 18th 'inst., ilr George- Htmter (of R.ivirond and Co.), in r~pondiri!7 to the toa = t of ''Cr>tr>anercial Interests." ".aid thnh while he did not wish to place any special value on his private opinion, he was afraid the prospects for grain prices next year were none too "brjorht He> rould say. moreover, that a preat deal of money, running into three figures of thousands, had been lost in oat transactions last year by bis firms — be did

not mean local trader-.; — so that while the majority of the farmers had sold their grain at high values, theie was ©very probability of their having to face a big drop for the ensuing harvest. Mr John Sawers, formerly chief Government dairy instructor, but now New Zealand representative for Messrs Aetzes and Gerritsen, colonial ehc-ose and butter importers, of London, has been absent from the colony for slightly over two mouths, which period h& has spent in Victoria and New South "Wales, and in which latter district ho was able to se-e for himself, ancl with practical eyes, the devastation caused to pastoialists by the prolonged drought. In a talk with a Wellington correspondent, Mr Sawefs said he found the most senous results universal throughout New South Wales, the whole of which colony he describes as having suffered intensely from tho want of rain during the past five years, but this season it was mure acute- than was ever known to be. Only one small strip of land, on the south-cast coast of tho colony, could be said to ha\e partially escaped tho terrible drought, and it was in that locality that Mr Sawers found the dairying industry thriving to a considerable extent. Returning to Sydney after seeing what devastation had been caused in the pastoral districts, Mr Sawers found, in discussion with business men generally, that the effects of the drought were boginning to make themselves distinctly felt in commercial circles, ancl fears are being entertained that some hard times must follow. In any case, the restocking of the runs will involve a considerable expenditure, and it must occupy some years to restore the flocks to their former standard. Proceeding onward to Victoria, Mr Sawers found that that colony had suffered quite as much as the sister colony in that portion of it north of the dividing range. South of this, the drought has been somewhat felt, but not to tho same extent as north of that range. In Tasmania Mr Sawers was pleased to notice a general, but ste-ady, adiarce in most branches of agriculture and dsiiying, the Federal tariff on dairy produce bring c<=Deeiallv favourable to tho south' rn colony. The residents there are waking up to the achantaeo <hoy have over New Zealand in beinc; able to shin cl'e.o=~. butter, etc., to Melbourne- direct without any duty. The thirteenth annual match of the Wynd-ham-Edondalo Ploughing Association took place on the 18th in-t. in a paddock lent for tho oeca-'on by Mr .lames Cu«hnie. The day was rough, still thde was a fair turnout of ploughs anil a good represe ntation of the public. The paddock was well adapted for contest purpose* Tho work m the \ariou3 clabscs was good, without exception. The champion (Mr Malcolm Gray) ploughed a rig that was almost perfei tion, his fecring being straight and ]o\e] an(\ his finish clean. In the Junior Class all were afike— good. The judges were Mes=rs W. I>. Mitchell and A M'Lean (Spar Bush), and their decisions gave unanimous satisfaction. In Class A the fir*t prize was secured by Malcolm Gray, G. Cuslmis iecond. The cl'ampion also anne\ed in this class fpccial prizes for best break, finish, and straightest ploughing. In Class B G. Da\ ,(Kon was first and G. Milne second. Class C: S. CJ.aike, juu , 1; W. MTarlane, 2. In Class L) there, was only ono entrant, H. C Allan, who was awarded the prizes attached to this event. General t^ooial prizes were a'so secured by Malcolm Gray for champion lot on field, straighte-t ploughing, most evenly-ploughed lot. and htiaightest break. — The annual dinner wa^ hekl_ in tho evening in the Kormrr*' Club Hotel, wl.en there were- tome 40 pre-o-nt Mr James Cushnie (president) filled the chair, and Mr J. Trap-ki the viocwha'r. The- usual loyal ancl patriotic toasts ha\ing been duly honoured, the toan cf "Tho Si'cco=-ful Competitor-" wa« piopor>ed. and re-pondfcl to by Mr Malcolm Gray and ot'icr pi ize-takor-The pri7.i»« wore then distributed, each recipient being loudly applauded.

Notes from the New Zealand Dairyman for Julj : — Mr Kowin. th& well known dairy produce agent, has iciumcd t<> T.iranaki fiom his periodical trip to tho Old Country, and reports that prices Mill l.c hilly maintained for the comma An mipoitant movement has been on foot lately to arrange for tho amalgamation cf the dairying interests in Toko and Stratford, ancl wo are pleased to state that negotiat'cns 'uive turned out in an eminently hah-fac tory r. anner. — It is a chemical fact thft the last 11 Ik drawn from a cow is the richest in Lwterdrawn from a i"w is the richest in butterfat, and p scientific dairy farmer up Palmerfirst portion of each cow'- milk is delivered to Palmer-ton en-tomer'* for household u=o, while the second and rirhost half of the milking goes to the factory, which pays tho dairyman on a Pry high test. — There is every irdiration at present that the output of cheese from this colony next season will bhi.v a considerable falling off wh m ooippar v -l with la = t vcar"s figure. Many of the eho j se factories ha\e i>i--f.ill r d butter plant*, md thr-c .ire likely to kcrp risjht on throughout tho <ep.s<-,u on butter. Thi«. of cour«», will toud to haiilru up piico=. and the erming year n^ay under tl'r-c. c I rrnm shiners be a eoorl oli^-o^e- year CC l \r io^V : s «-utpnt trrms 111- civ in derira-o M?- RiuViok )•.'' udAi^cd the tli-rnun'( nir"i» of the n'tiM l '. '♦•ir" of "fodder" thco-e. Thi-. ko. will lu-lp to m.iko the .ehce=o nsaik't miv £f<od i<i ttip> p near fr.tr r<\

S'nee hi-, nppo'ntn T>t in Mnv. 1901. until the end of June, tho Government grader graded 30,931 bales of fias. Tlie effect of

last month's floods on the quality of flax is apparent in a great deal of the fibre now coming forward.

The members of the Chr^tchurch Drainage Board's Farm Committee (says the Lyttelton Times) paid their annual \is-it of inspection to tho Sewage Farm last week The member? were shown over the place by the overseer, and inquired closely into the condition of things existing there-. The grass paddocks are looking \ery well for the timo of j ear, and there is an abundant prrowth of feed. There are 114- head of cattle on the i'arm at present, and all are in excellent condition. A number of improvements have recently been cairicd otic in the matter of fencing, most of the paddocks being now enclosed by strong cattle-proof fences of barbed wire. The work of breaking up the land for the winter cropping is proceeding. A new departure this year will bo a trial potato crop. The hght, sandy soil, with- its great advantages in the- way of irrigation, should be well suited to the growth of such a ciop. On tho whole tho farm appears to be in good order, and the board has every reason to expect that it will bo a success during the coming season.

A Jtairanga (Palmer-~ton North) daiiy farmer has made from 120 acres, in butter fat, calves, and pigs, the handsome sum of £620 for tho pa>-t season. His 49 cows produced £500 worth of butter fat, his calves sold for £40, and he made £80 out of his pigs. His cheque from the Defiance Company lost month was £72, which, from 49 cows, is an excellent result, especially when the timo of year is taken into account.

It is suggested by the Pahiatua Herald that the Right Hon. A J. Balfour would bo conferring a great boon on Pahiatua if ho cut up his Pahiatua estate into small holdings, and sold it to bona fido settleis.

A meeting of members of the Waimate A. and P. Association was he-Id on the 19th inst. Thirty members were present, and Mr N. Francis (president) was in tho chair. The Southland association wroto asking to ha'ie the date for holding tho annual fliow akeied from the usual date in Ncve-moer Members present were unanimous in tho opinion that the present arrangement of holding the Waimate annual show so as to conform with the -convenience of exhibitors, judge*, ard tho public- was very suitable, ar.cl the fixtures of the Timaru and Oarnaru shows cannot be altered without the concurrence of the^e associations respectively. — It was revolted that the revision of tho schedule for the next show be consideicd by a committee, and a draft of tho revised schedule submitted to a members' meeting next September, so as to bo ready for printing in good time for tho annual chow. — An exhaustive report, was submitted by the committee ct-mnn.--ionecl by the association to arrange for and carry out tho work of preparing and convoying exh'hit* from Waimate County to the Duneclin winter exhibition. Tho report was considered highly satisfactory, and was heartily and unanimously adopted in every particular; and it was re-solved, on the motion of Mr Ward, that tho bb e t thanks of the association be accorded to the donors and all who s*o freely assisted in the work of getting up, conveying, etc., tho Waimate exhibit to the Dunedin winter thon. — On the motion of Mr Francis, tho best thank « of the ii°-opii>tion were accorded to the Dunoc'ni Exhibition Coinmitt"" for its kind reception, ccirtesy, and hospitality to the- ropre?ontat>\o= and exhibitors of Waimate. at tl><> exhibition — On the motion of Mr Ward, it was rc-o'vrd that Messrs Hirt^Wt. Mite'iell. Sa-im'cr.-. Garland, Scott, and the Pi evident he a cmn-mitte-e to frranoo. for srn'lmsr an exhibit from Waimato County to T)m>e<'m winter show l^ext yoar. with power to api^oint vo l imt r or* to a«=i<t.

D'iribafk item*, in the Pa'mf'r'-trn T.ne--lle-Ti Nicolion and Kiddell. (li'tfini- of the Taieri ancl IVmn-uli Milk Supply Company, mot the cottier- here on tho 21 - 1 m-t., and discii-eed (lie quc«lion of e.4abh«!iiiig a creamery at Dun^ack. Tho lomp.inv i- run on itiictlv cooperatne line-, ;r,<l it will lo to the intere-t n{ s<-tt't'i - h^i'\ if th> \ c:i n s-ce their way to accept tl'C i<':ms oii"< i ii 1 by the company for the election of a ti< anu iv. I iinderrtaiid the Inicnm Coinnntti'e aic 10 maVe another cama=i of the di-inct wit'i the object of finding out ho« many tho farmer 3 aro willing to tak" wi. On look no; about for a «ito. a \orv suitable one was found in tho town-'pp. the delegates -taung that one Arre would be =ufTici<Mit for their requirement*. On tho price (£80') borne; mentioned it almost took away tl>o. breath of the meeting, as no one present had any idea that land about Dunbaek hntl nrqfiirorl =-urh value Eventually some cf tho-e. pre cut offered the nice— ary land fit much le— thai half the al-o\e amount —The v.mther lips beon mn=t suitnb'o for the th-tuu'ion of tho small birds. The re-nits ha\e been most varied ; in wrac parts of the di=tnct the birds died by thou-ands. wl.ile in othei <->?^5 the- seed »a« n^er touched Th° bii"'U ai o most plentiful at the pre-em ••eosoii about the hon;o-tead =

A 5 Oiov. hie: hnw farm pi orrises v, itMv) the St A'h-u = Boroujrh n'-e hauoc.ioped by thr- hraw nfmcr on the nmmproM»l values. a ooi respondent «ond« a f»\v particulars by wsv nf comparison to tho Clhn=tfhnrchC I hn=tf hnrch Pre=«. Mr B.nsr own« *5 acres 1 rood 37 porches within the St Alban* Boroi'gh. and under the. unv =\=,tnyn ho '"- a-keel to pay rntos amounting to £70 4= 7d. Directly or>po«'te Mr Bine's pronerfv < n the othor side of a half-chain road (Hill's road), Messrs Toon,

rtaughey, Barcock, Chidgey, and Jackson hold adjoining properties, which total in area 41 acies 1 perch. These properties aro just inside tho Avon Road District's houndary, and the rating on the whole totals £9 16s lid per annum. Fronting Shirley road Mr Thomas Maher owns 8 acres within the St. Albans Borough, on which he has to pay £11 5s 8d in rates. Just across the boundary, in the Avon Road District, Mr James Maner holds 11 acres 2 roods 34 perches of land, about equal in value to that held by Mr T. Maher, and his rates under the old system aro only £2 14s 5d per annum.

At the Gore Magistrate's Court, on Thursday last, before Mr Cruickshank, S.M., George Aitken was charged by tho Stock Department with failing to dip 200 sheep within the prescribed time, and, further, with sending a false return of tho number of sheep owned by him. — Defendant pleaded guilty, and explained that bad weather interfered with tho dipping. — The defendant was convicted and fined 3d per he-ad, and cost* £2 10s, for failing to dip, and £10 and costs 7b, for making a false return.

The secretary of the Palmerston and Waihemo A. and P. Association has been advised by the Timaru Association that the dates fixed for tho Timaru show this year cannot be altered. They suggest that tho matter be brought up next year, when dates suitable to all South Island Associations might be arranged.

Mr Turnbull, S.M., gave two important judgments of interest to settlers at the Dannevirko Court last week (reports the New Zealand Times) in connection with bush fires. In the case Hayes v. Kelly, the Magistrate held that dt fendant was liable for damago caused by lighting a fire on his own land, and which spread to the land of plaintiffs. Ho held that in the case of bush fiie* there was no statutory authority to burn — ie was timply a custom. A person lighting a fire on his own land did so at his own risk, notwithstanding tho precaution ho may tako to prevent it spreading. Judgment was given for plaintiff, £36 ss. and costs. In a similar case, Baddley and Co v. Inaoll, judgment was given for plaintiffs for £19 7s 6d, and eo-t=.

A meeting of suppliers to Mokov&ta Dairy Factory was held on the 22nd inst., Mr -7. B. Taylor presiding. Mr Buecn, proprietor, was also present. The businc -s was to decide I'pon a cour=o of action with recfard to taking o\er the factory, as wa- stipulated when Mr Bacon erected and opened the concern two seasons ago. It was decided to tako over the factory on co-operative- line*, and tho neccsspry shares to cu-tire- lecistration were subsciibed in the room. Mes«rs J. B. Taylor, W. Muir, John Greenlees, T. Broom, and W. Murray were appointed interim directors.

Some-thing- hko 3000 cases of rabbits and 10,000 carcases of mutton wove shipped on board the steamer Runpehu at the Bluff from the Mataura Freezing Worlos la*t week.

Like the re«t of South Canterbury (says the Timaru Post) tho Mackenzie CVunly is enjoying the very best of weather. In fact, it is unseaspmbly fine. Turnips which were sown early in December aro sending up seed stales, and in -penally sunny coiner- these stalks are noweung. The frost, at night ( aniiot be called severe. a» the grass on tho slopes and flats facing tho sun Is springing a little. With the good weather all classes of stock ore looking well, and tho land is drying fast, thanks to a spell of light rcVwestera. Ploughing can, in lv.Oit ca?c-, bo gone on with for part of (.ho day-, and tho tame remark app'ir. to tin nip-srubbing. Several threshing niilK both at ]'".«irl:c and Aibury got a ;-t;Ht again, appear to 1)" ablo to trawl without much difficult}. The stacks are in fir-t cla=s ord-r. The* .snow has leciced on tho mountains to aini'i-t t ! i_e lino, a rr'/st unusual thi'ie; for tiih t'mo^of the vcur Itrpori= from the Mar ke'.zio Country \( ry fa\ om.il ,c. J<n<l ahecpowiiPrs can now "-ay tiiot c^up/ r i^ piac t.eally pa-t. The nmiiw' meeting of the Manii.ic-'o A and P A--ociat,on was Ik Id on the ISth IP-t ll'C-re WP-, a splendid attf l.d.ii'co of it nibor . tl'r> lntftinff K-cins; the laip;o-t lrfld for =om? i'tn? Mr Pv F Inder. tho preMdcnt <>f the ,ociet>'. pn.-ided. The cha-r-n.au raid the m cr, ta'ry wa- net pre-ent, and from what he heard he did ;n.t think it \vj ad-.j-ablu to wait for him. They could not c on-ider iho financial ;>o-itic-i <f i'> • com jiai.v. as they had no books or bj'a ll ( s'lrel Mr Liglufdot said that at la-t mer'ing early in May there was a balince of £+4 18- Sd to the sot jotyS credit Since th<»n the cfcr.'taiy had got in £3 8-, but included .n that £3 8* wa- a thi(4UC fo: £1 10, 6d wh eh had Iteen di-h'noured so-ncj months before owing to un irregularity in the .-tjle of drawing, hinee then he had paid cut about £57. leading a credit baliiKC of £11 7, 2-1. Mr C J. Indcr thought that in addition to the above he had paid the -ccretary a cheque .since that meeting. Mr Ln«au had al-o pa:d him 10a 6J. S"me of the membeia bnuke btrongly of the di.-courteous treatment meted out to them by the secretary in rot attending the meeting. Subsequently tre following resolutions were earned: — "That the president, vice-presidents, and Mr Logan be appointed a committee to obtain the books and papers from the secretury." "That, when procure.!, the book* be handed over to the tieasurer and auditor to be brought up to date, and to h-i\c a balance shet prepared." — Mr Jo\n Reid was elected to tho position of secretary. It was resolved that, in add.tirn to his salary, the secretory be allowed 10 per cent.

!c« all subscriptions above 50. — The appointment of office-bearers was then picceeded with. Mr Charles J. Inder was unanimously elected president. Tho following officers were also elected: — Patron, Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R. ; vice-presidents, Messrs Scott and Gossage; treasurer, Mr Lightfoot; auditor, Mr Mess ; ancl a large and thoroughly representative district cammittee. - — Programme and Grounds Commktees were appointed. — Thursday, December 18, was fixed as the date of the show.

The report just is=ued, of Liebig's Extract of Meat Company for tho year 1901 states that the balance of profit and loss account amounts to £141,715 ; and out of this has been paid an interim dividend of 5 per cent, on the ordinary shares. Tha directors now propose to pay a dividend on tho ordinary shares of 15 per cent , equal to £3 per share, making, with the interim divident, 20 per cent, for the year 1901 (free of tax) ; ancl they" carry to Reserve Fund £5000; to Employees' Provident Fund, £2000; aud deduct for directors' percentage £9661, leaving £12,553 to carry forward. Speaking of the admission of Argentine cattle into England, Mr Haubury said in tha House of Commons lately that he believed Argentina was in the future going to become such an important source of supply to Great Britain that the trade ought to be placed on such a footing that it should not; be intercepted or broken iivto by an outbreak of disease. It was quite possible that for some months past there has been no authenticated case of foot-and-mouth disease in tho Argentine, but he could not shut his eyes to the fact that it wa3 a very large country. Although the Government of that country had with the most complete bona fides certified that tha count ey was fre« from the disea.se, he had sufficient evidence to lead him to believe that they -had been misled. Ho wished <to be especially cautious, in opening the English ports, because if they had to be closed again it would be- very" difficult to re-open them. He had rcpreferiited to the Argentine Government thafc< England was practically their only customer," arid that they ought to take the most fitringent precautions to prevent the importation of disease into their own country.

At the half-yearly general meeting of the Highland and Agricultural Society, held in June, no fewer than 239 new members were e'.coted. The various reporis submitted were indicative of general prosper/ty and the usefulness of the various committees.