LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 2686, 6 September 1905, Page 20

LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS

For the eight months ended August the Dunedm poultry grader (Mr T. P. Burke) has put 13,878 birds into cool stores, as against 15,472 for the corresponding term last- year. The grader is now preparing to face a heavy season storing eggs. As showing- the over-increasing interest taken in the poultry industry generally, it may be mentioned that from all directions word comes of exceptionally hea-vy demand for settings from fanciers, farmers, and country people generally.

On the 4-th of last month Mr W. P. Reid, of Monte Christo, Maheno, shipped 150 Shropshire Down rams by the Warrimoo from Lyttelton to Sydney to 'fulfil an order received. Mr Reid is advised by Mr F. C. Tabart, of Christchurch, the buyer's agent, that his principals " were highly pleased with them. They more than fulfilled our expectations." This is very gratifying, both to seller and agent, as well as satisfactory to the purchasers. Mr Reid informs us that he has quite a number cf inquiries at present for Shropshire Down ewes.

Mr D. Stewart, corresponding secretary of the Close Settlement League, has (sbj-s the Clutha Leader) received a letter from a farmer near Gore inquiring about the cutting up of large estates in the Clutha Valley. The writer mentions incidentally Lhat he knows nine farmers in his district with from £300 to £1200 each who would bo willing to take up land. Mr Stuart is commun.ica.ting with the Minister of Lands on tha subject. A mob of 3400 hog-gets was driven through Milton on Friday to the railway yards, where they were trucked en route for Timaru. They came originally from the Moa Flat Station. — Mirror.

The loss annually inflicted on ranholders by sheep-worrying dogs (says the Duivstan Times of the 28th ult.) must make a very formidable item in their profit and loss accounts each year. During the past month the nuisance has been very pronounced iv our immediate neighbourhood. In a single night of last week one sheep owner had no less than 40 of his flock actually slaughtered by dogs, and had not the brutes been distered dogs in the county, as it is mors bably as many ir.ors would have been destroyed. The ' damage caused to the remainder by T)<?ing scurried and harried all over the country in the dead of night must, especially at this season of the year, be also a very serious one. The. trouble is One ■that is most noticeable every lambing season, the funs, which are situated in the proximity of our goldfields townships being invariably the heaviest sufferers. Apart also from the loss occasioned to stock owners, these brutes are an actual menace to the health of the community. They are kept by their socalled owners for no apparent purpose, and their removal is in every way desirable. Under the circumstances it is incumbent on the County Council to institute a vigorous crusade against all owners of unregistered dogs in the country, as it is more than probable that these animals are the ones which are to blame for most of the damage done, and the taking of action against the owners will probably lead to a welcome reduction in their numbers.

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Gore A. and P. Association was held on the 26th ult. There were 10 members present, and Mi C. Cooper presided. The secretary, of the Gore Fanciers' Club wrote asking for the practical sxipporfc of the association, and trusted that a donation would be voted to assist the funds. It was resolved that £1 Is be voted. — The secretaries of the Southland and Otago A,, and P. Associations wrote stating that at the rec-enfc conference in Wellington it was decided to Enrange for the carrying oiit of experimental work in regard to the manuring of gvain and roots, liming land, testing new varieties of seeds, roots, etc. The Government haJ promised to assist by subsidy any practical experiments approved of. The matter was referred to the secretary to give any information farmers might desire. — It was decided to hold the annual horse parade on the second Wednesday in October on the usual lines. — The resolution passed recently to give prizes at the parade was rescinded. Five tenders for draining the show ground were l'eceived, and the tender of Messrs Wilson and O'Kane of £27 9s was accepted.

As showing the interest that is being taken outside in the closer settlement of the Molyneux Valley (says the Clulha Free Press). Mr D. Stewart, corresponding secretary of the local Close Settlement League, is in receipt of a letter from a farmer near Gore. The writer states he knows of nine persons resident in the neighbourhood of Gore, all possessed of capital, ranging from £300 to £1200, who would like to secure holdings on one of the estates on the Molyneux front spoken of as suitable for acquirement uncles the Land for Settlements Act.

The Mokoreta correspondent of the Southland News writes: — The winter of 1905 is now near a close, and it has undoubtedly been the finest within the recollection of the oldest settlers. As might be expected, seeing the exceptionally good weather we had for such a long time, farm operations are well advanced, and ploughing is nearly finished, except the fields that have been under turnips, where they are not yet eaten off. As a result, the crops of oats, etc., will be got in much earlier than usual. On nio&t farms the turnips are already nearly consumed, and it is \ r ery fortunate that there is every prospect of an early and good spring, as otherwise stock may be on short commons, which I hope may not be the case. At present sheep and cattle are looking splendid. The former are now in great demand everywhere, while the latter are hardly inquired after, except forward bullocks and dairy cows, for which there is a fair demand at fairly good prices, but unfortunately every farmer cannofc have dairy cows and fat bullocks for sale. Our flaxmills are now dormant, and those who were employed at them are scattered over the country. A few of them have gone to the Old Country. The mills, however, will soon start again with renewed vigour. Indeed, I think they made a mistake in closing down at all, as there was no winter, but perhaps the fall in the price of fibre and the slack demand for it had something to do with it. I notice that some, of our semisquatters and others who have had some friction with the Agricultural Department are petitioning the County. Council $o bavg

the iag wort removed from the noxious weeds list, claiming that it is good feed for sheep. I must say that I take Aery strong- exception to tins statement. Atter a very long experience among sheep and among ragv\ seel tor I have no hesitation at all in giving this statement a ivost emphatic denial. Ragwort is not good feed for sheep, and they are by no means fond of it. They will not eat it nor oven touch it if they ha\e grass to cat. They will certainly eat it if the} 7 have nothing else to eat, hut not otherwise, and to say that they are fond of it and that it i* good feed for them is very misleading. Bagrvorl is dr-tinctly a very noxious snd pernicious weed, and nothing el=e, and e^ery legitimate means calculated to prevent its .spreading should be resorted to, and -well-directed measures for doing so should certainly be enforced. What shall become of the dairying industry if the ragweed be allowed to take po^se^sion of all the land? It will simply be effectually ruined. Everybody knows tha cattle will not cat it, and they hate the grass that grows among it, and even dislike the fields in which it grows. They .'have a marked dislike to ifeI repeat what I said already, sheep will not touch ragweed if they have anything else to eat, and it is very doubtful that it is wholesome or good for them when th.3y are forced to eat it. The County Council should take no notice of tlio.. agitation set up to remove it from the list of uoxious weeds, even if they have the power to do so.

The annual meeting of ih-e Maiau/a Dairy Factory Company, Limited, was held on Wednesday last. Mr John Gray (chairman o£ diivcto"s) occupied th& chair, and theie ver& over 20 shareholders tcnA suppliers picsent. Iv iribving fhe adoption of the report and balance sheet, the chairman gave a briof account of the year's operations The factory had secured first honours for (he most points in export cheese, and he could safely say that the suppliers had contributed their share towards that end, and in maintaining the price by sending in good milk to tho factory. They must not think it pc-rfeefc though, for the directors always had to speak to them m rpfprence to turnips aboxit March. From the report they wculd notice that the directors had not sold the obeesa this season, for the reason that th& r.rire offered was very sin-all, and although later they received a fair offer, they decided io continue on the same lines as they had begun, and thio had proved a wise course. Owing to the resignation of Mr Dumblcton it had been necessary to appoint a new cheesemaker, and Mr A. Milne, who came to them with excellent credentials from Te Tua Factory, had been appointed. They did not fear "but that he would keep up the good record of the factory. The balance to profit and loss account is £213 3s Eel, from which tho directors recommend that a dividend of 6 per oant. be paid. — In answer to Mr Pryde, The Chairman said that lOd had been paid for butter fat all through the season. The report and balance sheet »vere unanimously adopted. The retiring directors (Measrs R. Diek:e, R. M'Bride, and Thcs. M'Donald) were re-elected, there being no further nominations. The auditor's fee- was fixed at £4 4s, and subsequently Mr J. C. MacGregor was re-ekctcd. It was decided that the directors' fees be the same as last year, 10s for each meeting attended. Tho payment of a. 6 per cent, dividend was confirmed. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the- chairman of directors for his services, and the meeting closed.

A meeting of the Palmerston and Wai henio A. and P. Association took place o-n the 26th ult.. Mr T, Muir (president) in the :hair. The Otago A. and P. Society advised that at the recent conference of Agricultural a.nd Pastoral Societies, held in Wellington, it was proposed that experiments of a practical nature should be carried out by farmers under the control of a committee appointed by the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies in the Otago district. The Oteqo society intended contributing up to £50 to foster the scheme, and they wou'd be glad to know what amount the Palmerston Association could see its way to subscribe towards the work. A general discussion followed, several speakers appearing doubtful as to whether the experiments would prove of much benefit to farmers. It was ultimately decided, on the motion of Mr James Ross, to defer consideration in the meantime, pending the receipt of further information. — The secretary of the Agricultural Conference advised that it had liien decided to make a levy of £3 3s on metropolitan associations, and £2 2s on the smaller societies, to cover the expenses in connection with the recent conference. The sum of £2 2& was passed , for payment.— The Department <~t Agriculture * advised that it had been decided that the thoroughbred stallion Basuto would travel in the Palmerstan-Waikowaiti district I during the coming season. On the motion j of Councillor J. Ross, it was resolved to ■ thank the Department for placing the st-xl-lion at the disposal of breeders in this district, and to add that this society hopes the Department will send a draught stallion •«,o the district next season. — The Dunedi'i Stock and Woolgrowers* Association advised that a donation of £10 10s would be mado by the association to the funds of the Palmerston Society. In future no sub- . scriptions would be given by individual firms. — It was decided to hold the annual 3liow on Friday, December 1. and' canvas- I sers were appointed in connection therewith. The secretary was instructed to com- , municate with the ladies and gentlemen , nominated as judges, and ascertain whether j they would be willing to act. • The annual meeting of the Wyndham A. and P. Society was held on Thursday , last. Mr A. Howe presided. The Score- • ta.ry read the balance sheet, which showed that the receipts (including cash in bank on August 31, 1904, £62 14s 7d) amounted to £275 17s 7d, and the expenditure was , £234 3s 6d, leaving a balance of £41 14s ' Id. The year's workings showed a loss of some £20. Members' tickets alone ac- , counted for the diffei'euce. The prize- j money exceeded that of any previous years. ' The gate money was practically £10 better than last year. The balance sheet was adopted.- 1 — Office-bearers were elected as follows: — President, Mr A. Howe; vicepresident, Mr A. Bell; treasurer. Mr DA. Raymond; auditor. Mr R. Paull. Members of last year's committee were roelected. The following! executive was ap- , pointed: — The ofßee^b&areirs and Messrs . R. Shields, S. Heath, D. K. M'Rae, G. i O'Brine, M. Gorman, James M'G-linchey, J A. Campbell, and J. Cuok.— lt was' de- | oided to hold the show on the first Tuesday iv December annually.— The horse parade was fixed for Wednesday, October 4. — Entry fees were readjusted as follows: For sheep, pigs, cattle, and horses, 5s to fiW-ni£aib&£s and 2g &cl to m^nibersj^ other

classes. 2s to non-member, and Is to memannual meeting of the Fames' Club was held on the 28th was a good attendance, and Air Jotn^Cowan V^idenl) occupied t-hechaar. Th" Committee of Management, m tubmuW tie "enty-fomth annual report, s"si°.h!tl the pasl year hwjoojgenorj ony have we improved our financial po«£ tion, but what is of equal and in l some i-snUts of mere importance, the attend Ln£ of members at our monthly meetings h^ been excellent. The m «nberjp of -tf^t^^fuS^ for the same peiuod amount to - £&•■ Js 5d lea vino- a, credit balance cf h<£> .ws ocu This amount, together with a fixed deposit of £50 in tho Bank of New Zealand maLy tho total funds cf tho club £75 ™*J")The report and balance bheet we '° adopbed.-Thc election of officers then took place. Mr W. Cameron was unanimously elected to the position of president. All K. M'Corkindale was elected vice-presi-dent, Mr Fv. M'Ca-w treasurer, and the following gentlemen a committee :— Aies^rs A. Sutherland, W. Crozior. J- Scoi*- J - "• Bateman C. Eammcmd, A. M'Millan, .b. Ellis J. Ryan, J. Rose, T. Cony, A. Livingstone. " P. Fnldseth, A. Rowe, U Rcss. W. Craig, and W. J. Livingston — A life membership was conferred upon Mr John Scott in recognition .of lus long and faithful services to the club.— Txie date of the annual show was fixed for Wednesday, December 27.— This concluded the business of the annual meeting. The ordinary meeting of the club was then held, thesame members being present. A letter was received from the Dunedin Stock and Station Agents and Woolbrokers' Association intimating that in future individual contributions to tha show prize lists would be discontinued, but that the association, recognising that some encouragement should be given to the improvement of stocc, would contribute the sum of £7 7s to the society's funds. — It was resolved that a concert and dance be held after th© show. — The following gentlemen were appointed collectors foi the prize fund: — Dunedin: President and vice-president; Lawrence : The secretary and Mr Scott ; Milton : Mr W. Crozier ; Waitahuna : Mr Cow-en.— The president, vice-president, and Messrs A. M'Millan, A. Sutherland, and A. Livingston were appointed a sub-eoninir[-tce to revise the programme. — Ttfie secretary was instructed to write to the member for the riding asking him to get tho road alongside t»he club's ground put in order to alow of access to saleyards to be erected- by iha Otago Farmers Co-opera-tive Association.

A Potato Incident: Last year a Lower Mataura farmer purchased three tubers of the famous Northern Star variety, weighing lib avoirdupois; and) one- of the three ho gave to a friend. The latter, who has grown some potatoes in his day, nurtured the precious tuber in a flower-pot, and the shoots from it he planted' out. Resultant crop : Eighty-six pound weight of markerable , produce, which .he is now retailing at a haindsome price for seedi purposes. — • Wyndham Farmer.

The Kokonga, correspondent of the Taieri Advocate writes: — The winter, on t^jie whole, has been so remarkably fine that ploughing operations have been pushed ahead and in many cases a large area of ground has been, sown in oats thus greatly advancing spring work. Stock of all kinds are really looking splendid. Those on turnips are fattening well owing to tha abundance of grass. Th« hay and other artificial foeds (reserved for the severe weather which didn't come) have no: teen much required round here.

TII2 Rough Ridge corespondent of the Mount Ida Chronicle writes: — Owing to the exceptionally fine winter, ploughing is well advanced for this time of the year, there being practically only three weeks in July in which ploughing was stopped, and this last month, althoJgh the frost has pretty frequently prevented the plough beingstarted before 10 o'clock, still they have been at work every day. As it is usually September before spring ploughing is commenced' here, the advantage of an early spring la much appreciated The one drawback at the present time is the dry weather. We have had very little rain for months. The lagoons are all empty and creeks and springs are down to summer level, and while there is a dampness in the soil bo a depth of about 9in the sub-soil is very dry, and unless rain conies soon the prospects of good crops are not too bright. The fin© winter has alsofavoured stock. At the beginning of winter there were fears that the shortage of feed due to the dry summer would tell hard on shesp, but they have come through much, better than was expected. They are not looking so well as they were this time last year, but they seem strong and in good! heart, and if we get an early -spring" to which everything points at the present, they should reach the lambing season above the average condition. Turnips are pretty well eaten off. There will be very few s-heep sold fat off the turnips. Owing partly no doubt to the high price in the autumn and partly to the partial failure of the turnip crop, farmers sold their wethers and saved the turnips for the ewes and ho«o- e ts At last week's meeting of the Waitahuua Farmers Club the matter of srantin^ the Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association the right to erect saleyards on the club's °round was discussed Mr Harrison, the DunecFrt manager., and Mr B. Thompson, the local agent, were present. Mi Harrison said ]. o had, with some of their members, insi>ecteJ the club s ground that afternoon, and had found a gravelly corner thereon, which was admirably adapted for the erection of salyards, provided the road giving access to it was put in a passable condition. If the club were in position to give them a fairly, long tenure so as to compensate them for the cost of erection he thought he could in??u directors to sanction the erection of the yards. In the discussion which followed there was a concensus of opinion that the erection of the yards would m-ove a, great boon to the district, and a General desire was expressed that the right" should bo K° Jfe company The only doubt was whether the club could grant a lease It was finally resolved to. if possible «-rant the company a lease for 21 years of "sufficient accommodation for saleyards at ar annual rental of sa. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Harrison. * v Mr S. Spain, of Earnscleugh Station (say=, last week s Duiwtan Times), has been a heavy sufferer lately owing to the she-n-worrying propensities of the dogs in the neighbourhood, but up till the present all efforts to capture the animals that are cau.=iflft the damage have been unsucceslul. Oa

Jasfc - Friday .rib less; than 10 ewes and 30 lambs,', whidh had" Been killed- during * the -preceding- nig.Kt; • were found dead m a -paddock' 'adjoining the Homestead. The dog» were, heard at their work, but owing to- the darkness of the night.it wae.imposeib'le W c&pture^themv Some of, the sheep have been literally 'torn to pieces, one of the men, who'ihas teen on the station for a considerable number of years, stating that !he had .never seen them so' badly mangled by doge before. " The Wyndham Farmer of the Bth ult. •ays:— Mr George O'Brine, an old eettler in the district,' 'received aT cordial welcome Lome on Wednesday, night after his. trip to the ' Old Country,- extending over five and a-half months. Mr O'Brine, wh<> conies back in < very much improved ' health, said practically the whole of Ms time at Home ■was spent in his native County' Donegal, Ireland. - .Asked concerning the conditoins of the' small -farmer, in the North,' of Ire-" land, v *Mr O'Brine .informed "us that present prospects were very assuring. The crops -during the'seaeon just over had been excellent — giving 'record Teturns,' in fact. Cattle were ' dear^—store two-year heifera and steers fetched 3JB to £10 .for ordinary quality, while fat Bullocks rang'fcd -from £20 to ,£25, and daity. cows frcjn £12 ' (medium)^ to £20 (for, prime). He- noted a,-vast^ improve- ' znenfc in" the dairy .-cattle, . which were principally, .of ,the^ shorthorn .breed, since the days that he lived in County Donegal. As to horses,, Mr- O'Brine- thinks »that"the.cpiality and ,value of ''draughts is very similar to what obtains in this, colony; and although *he- light-'iores -realise., more^-mo'ney there, they are not' one, whit better invtype and breeding than can- be eeen- in New Zealand. While 1 admitting that-^he-had a splendid .trip, Mr Olßrine declares that' there is no place lik« New- Zealand:" i -.-".,-• The^Druminond:.' correspondent of the Western/Star writes.:— The past^winter in this "locality has.-Jjeen the -best,, from an agricultural of . view, that we have bad for .many ;years. All farm work is well ahead, ; and ■if - the present spring weather continues ior another -week or so all the crops will be sown with the exception' of", a few N paddocks where crop is feeing- put in after turnips. Owing to the continued" light frosts there has not been much growth"" yet,, but feed is plentiful, and in some- cases the turnips are being offered very cheap. Owing to the high price of sheep farmers are afraid to speculate in -them, but we have seen the proverb — or .rather" the 'modern proverb — proved true in respect to the sheep market, "Faint heart never won" a fat .sheep." Stock of all descriptions are" looking very well, and on a .few , farms young lamb 3 are to be seen, but on the majority of farms lambing will not start for two or three weeks yet, and in most seasons it is soon enough. The following district notes are contributed by correspondents of the Southland Times :_— Nightcaps : Spring threshing has been going ahead for' some time, but it is anticipated the season will be' 1 a short one and that a couple ?of weeks hence it j will be brought to a close. Hares are so j numerous in some portions of the Nightcaps" district that .they- are a nuisance to farmers, whose - turnip crops , have been j paid .most unwelcome attentions by the | rodents., .The matter was taken into consideration by . the local branch of the Farmers' Union, 1 ,and representations on the subject were made -to the Southland Acclimatisation , Society with the view of having r the license fee for ,destroy,ing> hares by shooting,' odursing, or otherwise done away „. with. Jt'he society [sent a man to make an inspection of the country in question, and as - a result 'of his visit it is understood here that during the next open season the fee for destroying hares will lie reduced from .£1 to 10s. — Glenorchy : A 'winter and a month of spring have now almost gone that hare be»n the best known in this , district, ' there being very little severe .frost the whole time, and not a great amount- jof wet weather eitner, until the last few days, .which have been exceptionally wet -and cold. Snow has fallen to a?low altitude, but not sufficient .to endanger the sheep' on the mountains, and farmers "can "congratulate themselves on having an ,easy time this year. They have the satisfaction ,of seeing their sheep and cattle -in good condition, considering the time of year. Mr Jame3 Dunery, ot Kees Valley, -has -sold his station and tarrns here," with about 2000 sheep and 100 head of cattle, to Mr Scott, of Alexandra, who has taken over the same. We wish him all prosperity, and to Mr Dunery the same in the new field — namely, at Burwood and Mararoa Stations. He "left here last week with a mob of picked cattle, bis horses, and somfe of his men, to start preparation for his new home. Mr Hugh M'Kenzie and Sons, of Beach Bay, Wakatipu, have bought Mr Milne's Fernhill Station, with about 6000 sheep. They now possess the largest and best portion of tho western side of Lake Wakatipu, their runs having a carrying capacity of 16,000 sheep, .which they /now have on them.