LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 20

LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS.

It is estimated that owing to the drought between 4000 and 5000 head of cattle have been sent out of North Otago or potted. There is considerable mortality owing to want of feed. The Orepuki Advocate says that letters patent have just been granted to Messrs G. W. Batcheler and A. Tecofeky, both well-known residents in the Western district, for an improved stump extractor, which should not fail to commend itself to those in want of euch an appliance. At a recent trial the machine proved to be well adapted for the work The following dairying notes are from the Wyndham Herald of the 23rd met.: — Suppliers of </he Mataura factory have had a good season. The payments per lb of butter-fat run: 14d to April (on cheese consigned); Is for the rest of the season. A 6 per cent, dividend is to be declared and £200 carried forward. —The Island Dairy Factory closed for the season on Saturday, 13th inst., and the suppliers have bad a profitable season. These are the payments per lb of butter-fat:—Sep-tember, Is; October 1 to May 1, 133 d; and on to the end of the season lOd advanced (a further payment being expected). A few whose milk supply has not run out are separating at the factory, vnd making butter at home, for which there is a. good demand.—The season just closed has been a profitable one for those engaged in the dairying industry. We know of one Mataura Island farmer whose herd of about 30 cows averaged him £13 16s per head,, an amount that will be increased by a further small payment. No doubt there are others with returns better than this. Some of the suppliers are teicing steps to get accurate information concerning the milking value of their cows individually —the quality and quantity and the period over which the milk yield is sustained being considered, The information obtained is being intelligently applied. In some cases coyvs which give six gallons per diem, buf" did not keep it up for any time, were sent to the boiling-down establishment. That was a fair thing to do. The practice of disposing of culls to the unsuspecting "other fellow" ie not a- good one. If ,the test is to be got from dairying, cows for the purpose should i carry a guarantee in some cases. This ' would not apply to young cows. We know, : for example, of a case where a farmer exchanged an animal coming to her second calf because with her first calf she was most unpromising, and he took an old cow in her place. The young cow, 6O far from ! verifying the duffer expectations of her first owner, proved to be the best of the new owner's good herd. / At the Magistrate's Court, Oamaru, on the 22nd inst., before Major Keddell, S.M.. Messrs W. E. Shiel and Co. were charged by Inspector Ironsides, Inspector of Stock, with exposing lousy sheep for sale. Mr M'Quin, on behalf of his company, pleaded "Guilty" to tre charge. His Worship inflicted a fine of 20s, with costs amounting to 7s. There was a rare opening for a lucky speculator at the Clydevale stock dispersal sale at Clinton. A Southland farmer was offered all the stock—stud and flook sheep, horses, cattle, etc.—for £7000. He did not accept. Had he done so, his day's profit would have been £1700, for the sale Tealised to the lucky vendors of Cljdevale a Teturn of £8700. At a meeting of the Stirling Dairy Factory Company's directors on the 20th inst., Mr Charles Dutton was appointed factory manager, vice Mr R. O. King (resigned). Mr Dutton is a native of Inchclutha, but has had extensive experience in other places as a oheesemaker. During ihe spell of dry weather that Southland, in common with other parts of the colony, experienced some months ago (says the News) some anxiety was felt as to the quality and quantity of the grain this season, but results have proved that, so far as this district is concerned, there was no occasion for alarm, as the production i« much beyond that of last year, aa indicated by the railway traffic returns, which fhow that the quantity railed from country centres exceeds that for ISO 6by no lc&6 than 112,000 sacks. The turnip crop also wa3 never more prolific nor of better quality, so farmers have every reason to congiatnlaie themselves on this verr satisfactory position. The experier.ee <rf agriculturists in some northern districts, and noteblv North Otago, largely differs, as there has been a want o£ moisture for some time that has materially reduced Hie v^lup of land. <V number of farmers from that part of the colon v have been in Southland making inquiries with a view to acquinm," areas, anS values here have risen accordingly so it seems that the name at on? tiAVghen Southland that it was a Kooa place to lire out of," can ro longer be applied to the district, even if H-fcTe was a colour of truth in what was previously said about it. And the part season » not as for some years past there has been moro relwnilitv in <mr cl'^aJj conditions, which will probably be ascribed to various causes, the foremost being the operations of the sawmillers. The presid<»n4. of the Southland Frozen Meat Company has occasionally- implied, in hie remarks at annual meetings of shareholders, that some of the fanners of the district were disloyal to their part of the colony by accepting offers of northern shcop-buyers, but this year no cause for complaint on this score ha^ arisen, and he will probably be found, at next meeting, congratulating all concerned on a more than successful 12 months' operations. So far from sheep being sent north to be fattened as "Prime Canterbury," northern graziers have forwarded south large quantities of sheep to be fed on Southland's rich pastures, and a result is that various freezing works have been kept fullw occupied throughout the

season, though they employed more hands ;han last year. The difference in the posision this and last season is to be forcibly ; ieen in the fact that the Southland Frozen Meat Company put more sheep tErough their works during the first five months if this season than during the whole of iast season. This company intends to make improvements and additions to their works, tvhlch will involve en expenditure of some £14,000, owing to the increase of business a.nd the necessity for making adequate provision for it, as well as for the: expected improvement of th© industry in the future. While present prices continue, the sheepraising industry will no doubt continue to be extensively engaged in, and there is no reason to suppose that the time ie within measurable distance when there will be any material falling off in the demand. The Fortrose correspondent of the Wyndham Herald writes : — The weather is not the iopio at present. All thought and discussion concentrates on tHe land boom, for never in the history of this district have so many farms ohanged hands, and *fc such enhanced values — in some cases very near double the price paid by the outgoing owners of some of these properties, notably Messrs Baird's and Button's; the former being considered by competent judges to be unsurpassed by any property of the same extent in Southland. The price realised was £12 per acre. Some eeven years ago this same property was sold, under what was considered at the time keen competition, at a little over £T. Mr Baird (who is an Up-to-date farmer) in the meantime had effected considerable improvements in the way of a copious dressing of lime to a portion of it. The effect is visible to all. I understand Mr Baird does not give up possession till December. I am sure the district will regret his leaving, for, as a large buyer of stock, settlers always found him a first-class man to deal with. Mr Hutton's property ie also one of the choice farms of the district, and Mr T. Golden (a local farmer) is to be congratulated on his selection. Another large property, and equal to anything in the district, is expected to change hands my moment. This property, with the two already mentioned, comprise the piok of Toi Toi. The latest to sell a.re the Messrs Kirkness Bros., of Otara, the buyers being Messrs Blair Brce. They are to be congratulated on their acquisition of this very nice property. With the high prices ruling for laud, people with land can scarcely withstand the inducement to sell, though later they may find to their sorrow some trouble in securing other properties for themselves. Of course, this does not apply to all, ac some will, with what is called the "unearned increment," be in a position to take it easy for the rest of their lives ; I am sure no one begrudges them it either. „ The Lower Ida Valley correspondent of the Dunstan Times writes:— lt still keeps j exceptionally dry for this season of the j year, and one wonders why stock arc look- j ing so well, considering the scarcity of feed. ; Ploughing operations are being interfered with by reason of the dryness of the soil, combined with the hard frosts experienced | at present. A good day's rain or snowfall is long overdue. Let us hope we will get it ,i>opn. The Maniototo stock inspectors ■ are evidently taking their district in a face, requesting each settler to yard their sheep for inspection purposes. As yet I have not heard of any sheep in our district being affected, which is a good thing. Whether it would be wise to dip affected sheep at this sea-son of the year or let them, remain I would not like to say. Store cattle in most parts are having a rough time of it, as most of the fa>rmers are pretty well cleaned out of straw stacks. Should the coming spring be at all rough it will take a lot of them all their time to pull through. Writing on the 23rd inst., the Clinton correspondent of the Clutha Free Press reports : — A splendid line of 2500 hogget* were trucked here last Friday for Messrs Ellis Bros., of the Five Rivers and Merrivale Stations, Southland. The pick of the Olydevale draught horses, sold here last Thursday, were secured by the new 3ettlers on the estate. Overton" Bros, bought a team of four which would be hard- to beat. The Clydevale sheep averaged over £3 per head, and even at this remarkably high figure the auctioneers could have disposed of a thousand or two more. Competition was unusually keen ; each of the pens submitted were eagerly sought after both by North and South Island buyers. The following notes relating to Ophir and Lauder are supplied by the correspondent of the Alexandra Herald : —Throughout the surrounding districts the weather continues mild, and in consequence ploughing operations are in full swing, and are being carried out under more favourable conditions than previous years. Owing to the small rainfall and little or no snow t« e ground is exceptionally dry, and unless we experience a heavy snowfall or early spring rains the forthcoming summer will be attended with far more serious results than last year. Notwithstanding the drawbacks, stock is in good condition, and sheep are looking very well. It is to be hoped that a repetition" of last year will not take place, otherwise the majority of us will be compelled to seek greener fields to earn a livelihood. _ . Agricultural work (writes a Waimumu correspondent of the Gore Standard) is well forwaid, and many ploughed paddocks have already had the discs over them. Stock i« looking well, and several splendid draft, of fat lambs have been secured by Gore *heep buyers this season. Turnips are plentiful and flocks from other districts may be seen on a few farms eating off the surplus roots. Oaten stacks are still to be seen here and there. _, . ' Within the past few days (says la.t Friday's Olutha Free Press) local growers have quality of the root crops raised in this neighbourhood, for we understand that at Morton Mains, in Southland, large purchases of turnips have been made during the week- at 14s a ton. A visitor to the Toka-rahi and Isgapara dietricts informs the North Otago Times that the rainfall there in the past week or so has been heavier than along the coast. The ploughed land is moist to a depth of about 6in, and the crops that are above the ground are looking fairly well. The farming community, especially those who have sown grain or intend to sow, are gratified with the rainfall, although more is wanted to soft-en the lea land. On Wednesday last the farmers of Wangaloa. formed a gloughing be^ and pro-

ceeded to the farni - lately taken over by Mr Waugh to give him a welcome in the form of a day's ploughing. About 14 teams put in "an" appearance,' and" soon got to work, with the result that a large piece of ground was turned over. Aiter work had finished the men were entertained at tea by Mr and Mrs Waugh, and a couple of hours' pleasant chat was indulged in. Before departing Mr Waugh thanked the farmers of the coast for their kind thoughtfulness and practical welcome. A special meeting of the Palmerston and Waihemo A. and P. Association was held on the 20th met., Mr E. H. Clark (president) in the chair. The Secretary of the 'Otago A. and P. Society, in reply to a letter from the Palmerston Society re Mr Ireland's conduct towards the judges at the recent show, advised that the Otago Society could not take any action until notice was received that Mr Ireland had been disqualified. After a short discussion it was unanimously resolved that the secretary be instructed to advise the Otago A. and P. Society that M r Ireland had been disqualified by the PaAmerston Association. The Edendale Dairy Factory Compafay intend to keep their factory up to date in structural plan, and equipment. A contract ha* just been let which will run into £600. The work to be done will include permanent improvements to the buildings. New concrete foundations are to be put in, the roof is to be covered anew with galvanised corrugated iron (in place of the old shingles), and the exterior of the budding is to be renovated and painted. In addition, accommodation is to be provided for 16 men, inclusive of airy sleeping rooms, bathroom, cloakroom, and sitting room. Last year the company expended £500 on plant and other improvements of a substantial character. When the «ork in hand snail have been completed the Edendale factory will be second to none in the South Island. Writing on Wednesday last the Otautau correspondent of the Winton Record reports:—Another week's beautiful weather, and all agricultural work is well advanced. Those who have to purchase their seed wheat or oats are aghast at the prices merchants are demanding. The turnip crops are lasting splendidly with weather so fine i and land so dry. The rabbits have been lessened considerably by the trappers, and now a few farmers are trying the fumigating of the burrows with charcoal fumes, which is said to be an effectual and economical method towards exterminating this pest. With the present price of wool and mutton more farmers are beginning to see the folly of grazing rabbits for the trappers instead of sheep for themselves. Large numbers of stoats and ferrets have been destroyed by the trappers this winter. In and around the Otautau flourmill the lasl few weeks no less than six stoats have beec caught in traps laid for rate and yel poultry housed close to the mill and feed in™ around it all day have never beer molested by these natural enemies of the rabbit.