A NORTH ISLAND TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 17

A NORTH ISLAND TALK.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON N., June 4

The National Beekeepers’ Association of New Zealand has been holding an annua! conference at Wellington, d'seussing some very interesting questions affecting the industry. The proceedings were opened by the Minister of Public Health, the Hon. R. -Heaton Rhodes. There was a large attendance of delegates from places as remote as Dunedin. The Hon. Mr Rhodes in his speech said he learned that there were 11,200 beekeepers in New Zealand, and they possessed 72,340 hives. The well-being of the industry was largely due to the Honeyproducers’ Association, which had entered into a contract to ship away 500 tons of honey nor annum. His department had taken samph s of Honey from various grocers in New Zealand for testing, and the rcsu’t of their investigation was that they concurred with the contention of the Beekeepers’ Association that the water maximum of 26 per cent, as allowed bv the regulations under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act was too high. The department was contemplating reducing the water percentage to 20, and desired to have the association’s view on the matter. The original standard of 26 per cent, conformed with that in operation in several Australian States, and was very close to that in the United States. The analyses -showed that there was practically no adulteration in New Zealand honey either by excess of water cr by other impurities. During the proceedings pleasure was expressed at the action of the Canterbury and South Canterbury Associations in affiliating with the national body. The gathering discussed a scheme by Mr I. Hopkins for financing the defence of any beekeeper against legal action on any point threatening the best interests of the industry. I believe what is in the minds of the beekeepers in this respect is the possibility of lawsuits for bees trespassing on other people’s land or for any of those interesting occurrences which may at times become associated with a bee sting. The meeting resolved—“ That the incoming executive be recommended to seek information from the National Beekeepers’ Association of America regarding their legal defence fund, and report a scheme to the next conference, and in the meantime the executive be empowered to take such steps as it may consider necessary in the event of any case arising.” There is a scheme in the air to got the New Zealand Co-operative Honey-producers’ Association (Ltd.), which is a trading concern, to subsidise the National Association, so that the association may be enabled to reduce its subscription from members, to a merely nominal sum—about 2s 6d per annum. Definite action, however, was deferred till next year’s conference. From a statement made by Mr T. W. Kirk (head of the Orchard and Apiaries Division), it appears certain that the registration of apiaries will be made compulsory next season. DAIRY FACTORY MEN IN SESSION. Dairy factories of North Auckland held their second annual conference on Monday of this week at Auckland City. Mr A. Morton (chairman of the National Dairy Association), who presided, outlined the experiences of the season, and said dairyfarmers had profited by the war, and should remember that fact when considering the Patriotic Funds. The butter exports of the past season increased by 16 per cent., and those of cheese by 3 per cent. The butter increase was largely due to the great expansion in the Auckland district. There wore large areas of country in North Auckland which could be made much more productive, and he believed the recent high prices would bring about their rapid 3cvelopment. Practically all the North Island factories this season consigned l their output, and they would therefore reap the full benefit of the higher Homo prices. Referring to the shipping difficulties, ho said ho believed next season would have arrived before the present cheese stocks would bo all shipped away. There was discussion on cream-grading, and a very general concensus of opinion was revealed among delegates whose factories had tried the paymont-by-gracle system that it was practicable and highly beneficial. One delegate wanted to see it followed up by systematic Government inspection of dairies, and said that he had himself made an informal tour of inspection, and got many “surprises.” A motion endorsing the suggestion was passed, and also motions to secure cheaper railage rates on cream, cheaper cool storage rates (these wore finally secured ait 6d per box of butter and l-16d per lb of cheese not exceeding one month), and increased storage space.

SHIPS FOR MEAT. The Prime Munster made a statement while in the Ant khoid district til’s week as to the fleet of ships available to carry meat Homo during dune and July. In ad id.on to r 1 1 r• Main iri and Rangat.ra, now loading in New Zealand, and clue to sail on June 9 and 17 respectively, the other sail.tigs and capacities arc as follow:JUNE. JULY. Carcases. Carcases. Kia Ora .. 86,000 La Blanca.. 117 000 •Paparou .. 70,000 Opawa .. 95,003 Remucra- .. 99,000 Delphic .. 93,000 Indrabarah .. 110,000 Corinthic .. 96 000 Athenic 96,000 Somerset .. 93,030 Toiigariro .. 78,000 Waiwera .. 78,000 Rnahino .. 75,000 539,000 647,090 WAIKATO SHOW. The Waikato Show, like the Waikato district, is making remarkable advance. The Prime Minister in a speech there declared that not another show in Now Zealand could make such a display of turnips as was there exhibited. The factory produce classes resulted as follow:-- ” Butter.— ■Creamery Class. Thirty-three entries— Levin (J. Smellie, manager), 95 points; Ornata (C. Jensen), 94; Thames Valley (W. O. Dixon), Awahuri (C. J. Parianej, and Maurice vide (A. Milne), 93* each. Op< Class. Twenty entries (from grading stores) —Awahuri, 94 points; Piopio (F. M. Tunnycliffe), 93*; Eureka (J. Falconer), Golden Bay (J. Cook), and Te Aroha (J. Rutherford), 93. Butter made under favoured conditions. Thirty-five entries —Mauricevillc, 95 points; Awahuri, 94*; Waitara (E. H. Limner), 94; Aria (J. Macdonald), 93*; Komata (C. Jensen), 93. « Butter for local trade. Twenty-one entries,—Awahuri, 94 points; Ana, 93*; Piopio and Konini (W. Kelly), 93. From home-separated cream—Aria, 92* points; Piopio, 91*; Katikati (M. Blomqu;st), 91; Northern Wairoa (T. Downs). 99*. Made by first assistant. Twenty entries— Awahuri (C. H. (Tea vor), 95* points; Golden Bay (E. Wadsworth), 95; Thames Valley (C. Edwards), 94; Waitara (A. Kilpatrick) and Rata (J. Tolbcck), 93*. Novices. Sixteen entries—Waitara.. 94* points; Ormondville (A. D. Brown), 94; Lepperton (W. Roberts), 93*; Tikcrangi (W. M. Simpson), 93; Aria, 92*. For factories up to 100 tons. Nine entries —Aria and Katikati, S 3 points; Omata, 92*. Cheese.— Coloured, for export. Twenty-three entries—Hawera (A. Dunlop). 95 points; Parkvale (J. Linton), 94*; Mulls (D. Campbell), 94; Opouvuvj (W. Shepherd), 93*; WhenuaIviua (P. Petersen), S 3. W bite, for export. Twenty-four entries — Parkvale, 95 points; Molls and Matanra (S. J. Jones). 94*; Whenuakura, 94; Dalefield (M. T. West), Kaupokomr. Taieri and Peninsula (C. C. Capel), and Hawera. 93*. For local trade. Twenty-five entries— Whenuakura, 94 points; Mataura, 93; Dalefield, 93. Auckland province. Seven entries—Ruatoki (L. Marcsan), 93* points; Opouriao, 93; Nukuhou (A. Debrcceny), 92*. Non-pasteurised. Twenty-one entries Parkvale, 94* points; Kairnata (G. R. Lacey), 94; Ruatoki, 93*. From grading store. Twelve entries — Whenuakura, 93* points; Kaikoura (J. T. Graham), 93; Ta : eri and Peninsula., 92*. Highest aggregate in first throe classes Hawera. 253: Parkvale, 282; Whenuakura and Mells, 281.

EXPORTS OF PRODUCE

WELLINGTON. June 4

Tlie exports of New Zealand products during the week ended June 1 were valued as follows: — Butter £14,617 Cheese 17,526 Frozen lamb 15,383 Frozen mutton 25,991 Frozen beef, etc. 20,146 Gold 16,014 Grain and pulse 6,962 Hides and skins 34,822 Kauri gum 14,847 Flax and tow 24,420 Tallow 13,530 Timber 1,396 Wool ... 56,114