TARANAKI AND WEST COAST NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3239, 12 April 1916, Page 13

TARANAKI AND WEST COAST NOTES.

QTbom Oub Own Correspondent.)

PATEA FREEZING WORKS

The Patoa .Farmers' Co-operative Freezing Company continue to make splendid progress, and this is evidenced by the fact that, up to the end of March last, there were 10,550 sheep and lambs, 1064- cattle, and 444 vealers killed more than during the same period last year, and that year was a record in the history of the company. Altogether, to date 41,038 sheep and lambs, or 4248 more than were killed during the whole of last season, have been killed; 5645 head of cattle have also been killed to date. Tho present indications are that the season's total will exceed last year's record figures when 11,000 head were put through. TOP PRICE FOR CHEESE.

On Tuesday, April 4, the secrotarv of the Marton Dairy Factory Company received advice from their London agents, Messrs Weddel and Co., that the shipment of cheese by the Paparoa averaged 104 s per cwt. The fact that this top price was realised afforded considerable satisfaction locally. It is understood that the Government have commandeered 16 tons, or slightly over one-third of the factory outmit of cheese, for the use of the troops, for which the company is receiving per lb f.o.b. at Wellington. INTERESTING INFORMATION CONCERNING WANGANUI RIVER LANDS.

Some interesting information was given by Mr T. D. Cummins, chairman of the Wanganui River Trust, at the conference this week to discuss the present position of affairs. He pointed out that all lands that were Crown lands when the Act came into force were so proclaimed, these mainly on the left bank of the river, and a portion of this, being of no scenic value, has boon leased, providing a gross revenue of £653 17s. Prior to the Act coming into force nearly all the land on the right bank was Native land; but a very largo area had since been acquired by the Crown. From time to time application had been made to have these lands proclaimed by Order-in-Council to be Domain lands, but without success. Indeed, in 1914 the Government disposed of about WOO acres in the Heao. Ohura, and Piopiotea West survey districts, being within the trust's jurisdiction, without reference to the trust. There is at present on the left bank an area of approximately 5000 acres of valuable land (Domain land) that is of no scenic value, that should be utilised and made revenue-producing. The trust_ had approached the Government with a view of having this land surveyed and leased, but have been met with objections. COW-TESTING. The official figures of the Cheltenham and Apiti Cow-testing Association are now available, and show that for the four-weekly period ending March 28, Cheltenham's figures were: Average milk, 3281 b; test, 4.58; fat, 19.611 b. The highest herd average was: Milk, 5321 b; test, 5.43; fat, 28.911 b. The lowes,t was: Milk, 2111 b; test, 5.27; fat, 11.13. The highest individual was: Milk. 1201 b; test, 3.8; fat, 4.56. The Apiti Association returns were: Average milk 4831 b; test, 4.39; fat. 21,231 b. Highest herd average: Milk, 6721 b; test, 4.39; fat. 29.541 b. Lowest herd average: Milk, 6721 b; test, 4.15; fat, 16.45. Highest individual yield,': Milk, 2701 b; test, 3.2; fat, 8.641 b. WONDERFUL TARANAKL The dairying season in Taranaki has been wonderfully good, and the amount pe.vi out to suppliers reaches very big figures. Taking a normal season —namely, that before the war, —the output in butter and choose totalled about 32,000 tons of produce. This meant the distribution of about £1,600,000 among factory suppliers. Roth war seasons havo seen the output and butter-fat payments increase to a most substantial extent, and, though it is impossible just yet to give accurate figures, one of the best authorities in Taranaki states that this season, judging by the outputs of the factories and the big prices being realised on the Home markets for dairy produce, the payments will bo approximately over £2,000.000. LUCERNE. The lucerne crops at Moumahaki State Farm have been most productive, w'tf.at is generally known as the 15-acre paddock is looking as well as ever, and has produced two more splendid stacks of hay this year. The eoil is particularly firm and free from weeds, and there should bo very little need

for much cultivation this season. This paddock was very clean right at the beginning-, and had a very fine " take " of seed, so that it had every chance. Its present fine condition has been brought about by the exercise of proper care, assisted possibly by grazing sheep on it, and it furnishes ample proof that lucerne can be most successfully and profitably grown in this district if it receives proper treatment. Tho several varieties —Marlborough. Hunter River, and Russian —appear to have made equally good growth this season. Now that the lucerne paddocks have been thoroughly established, the opinion has been exprecsed that the many acres of good lucerne growth at the State Farm could have been put to better use had they been set aside for seed purposes rather than for grazing or haymaking. The price of good lucerne seed, it has been pointed out, has risen from Is 3d and Is 6d per lb to approximately 3s per lb, with the possibility of a further rise. It has therefore been argued that io view of the drought conditions in Australia and the dry season in Marlborough (the main seed-producing centres) the fullest use has not been made of the crop at Moumahaki, and possibly also, of tho crops on the other State farms throughout New Zealand, to produce good, reliable- seed not only from a commercial point of view, but to help to make up the dofi'Mency. The State Farm, it has been contended, could have provided a good quality of seed, undoubtedly more reliable than Australian and infinitely more reliable than European, which is really useless from a farmer's point of view. Plants from the European seed •■ are said to be too delicate, apparently from want, of acclimatisation On the other hand. it is iusf questionable if the paddocks at Moumahaki would have produced seed in commercial quantities, and it is doubtful if Income, cowgrass, or clovers can be profitably grown for seed anywhere on this coast. It is held by come authorities that the climate is too moist to allow of tha thorough pollination of the flowers, and in one or two small sect'ons where the experiment has been tried this appears to be the case. Tn the Wairarapu and up Hastings way it is thought that lucerne could be very well grown for seed, and already near Hastings two farmers have bought some high-priced sections adjoining each other fin order that the same plant will work both places), and their intention is to grow lucerne exclusively for seed purposes. DAIRYING. According to all accounts the scarcity of labour threatens to force a number of dairyfarmers out of the dairying business next season, several having already signified their intcnt : on of giving up owing to their inability to carry on under present conditions. Although the intakes at _ dairy factories are gradually petering out, it ie stated that returns are much higher compared with this time last year. Although more milk and butter-fat are being received, the test is not so high. GENERAL Tho produce exported from the Waiiganui export district for the week ending March 23 included butter. £963: cheese, £2015; moat, £193; wool. £47,519.

THE WEATHER.

WELLINGTON ..April 9,

A boisterous southerly, accompanied by sleety showers, yesterday quietened during the night, which turned cold. To-day thi weather is fine, but chilly.

(From Oob Own Correspondents.) GERALDINE, April 4.

The rainfall registered hero for the month of March was 2.875 in. Rain fell on 14- days, and the maximum fall was 79 points on th» 28th. The mean barometer was 29.83 deg, the maximum being 30.19 deg, and the minimum 29.28 deg. The mean shade temperature was 60.32d0g, the maximum 84-deg, and the minimum 36deg. The mean of the maximum readings was 69.0? deg, and that of the minimum was 50.32 deg. The month generally was calm and cloudy, with much drizzle. April 8. The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. was 89 points. Heavy showers from the south-east fell after 0 p.m., and rain on and off all night. TOTARA ESTATE, April 8. The- rainfall registered hero for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on April 8 was 73 points. During March 222 points of rain. fell here. The heavy rain yesterday and last night was just needed thoroughly to break up the long-continued drought. Grass, and oats and barley sown for spring food, are rushing up very fast. HILLGROVE, April 8. The rainfall recorded at Trotter's Creek, Hillgrove, for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. this day was 86 points. It came In from S.E. with a high barometer, and is tM heaviest daily fall recorded in this locality since February 21, 1915. BUSHEY PARK. April 8,. The rainfall registered here for the ~

hours ended 9 a.m. was 75 points; 188 points fell during March. DIPTOX, April 5. The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9.30 a.m. was 11 points. April 7. The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9.30 a.m. on Friday, April 7, was 24- points. April 8. The rainfall registered here for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. on April 7 was 27 points. There is snow on the hills.