THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 10

THE NORTH ISLAND.

(Fbow Odh Own Correspondent.) So far as weather conditions are con* cerned, they - have been almost ideal curing the week just ending, and ploughing shearing, etc., have been carried on without intermission. Grass is still growing at a great rate, and it is impuifiiblo to keep it down, unless on those stations where the carrying capacity of the land is being utilised freely. Butter and cheese outputs are a long way in advance of previous years; but a fly in the ointment is the want of ships to get it all away. SHOW TROPHIES. The secretarial staff of the Manawatu A. and P. Association has now completed the statistical work in connection with the points prizes, etc., won at the recent show, the awards being as follow: Perry Cup (for Eomney ram) —G. E. Allen (Masterton). Lister Cup (Rornney ewe) —G. E. Allen. Conway Cup and gold medal (lor most points in horse, cattle, sheep, and pigs)—• E. Short. MTiardy Cup and gold medal (for most points in light horses and competitions)—A. S. Goodwin (Tekakino, H. 8.). Hereford Cup—E. Short. Eraser Cup (Lincoln ram) —H. Gaisford (Oringi). Southdown Cup—Richmond and Fernie (final win).

Ellis Bros.' Cup (shorn Southdown ram) —Richmond and Fernic.

Burraucl and Abraham Cup (fat cattle) — E. Short.

Ccombs's Cup (champion draught sire) — Donald Estate (final win). O'Rorko Cup (champion jumper)—H. Haasall (linal win). Ford Cup (steeplechase)—J. Brice (Marton). Buick Cup (milking Shorthorns) —M. Kcavins (Kairanga). Slack Cup (Ayrshire group)—D. Buchanan (Tiakitahuna). Alpha-Laval Cup (best dairy cow) —S. R. Lancaster.

O'Connor and Tydeman Cup (Encsian yearling bull) —W. I. Lovelock. Gaisford Cup (Shire horse) —Ellis Broe. M'Crea trophy (Jersey group)—E. Eagle, jun. Hcvard Booth Cup (Shorthorn bull)—G. A. Turner (Eltham); H. Booth Cup (Shorthorn cow)—R, D. D. M'Lean (Maraekakahoe) Miller and Giorgi .cold watch (most points in purebred cattle) —D. Buchanan (final

win), Hereford-breeders' gold medal (Hereford bull and cow)—E. Short. Moe.t points Fricsian cattle (Fricsianbrecders' medal) —W. I. Lovelock. Joseph Liggins'a gold medal (Fricsian group!—W. I. Lovelock. Now Zealand North Island Sheep-breeders' Association medal (champion Shropshire ramJ-nSir J. G. Wilson. Sewing machine (most points in needlework)—Mrs R. C. M'Farlarie (Wanganui). Sewing machine (home industries)—Miss M. Laing (Awapuni). SPLENDID PRICES FOR CATTLE.

Cattle are still in great demand, and are selling at high prices, as all stock sales show. There was a big yarding at Pahiatua on the occasion of the cattle fair. .Something like 27.300 head were yarded, being 600 in excess of advertised numbers. A dFstinct feature of the sale was the high standard quality throughout. including several lots of particularly well-grown bullocks in forward condition. A line of three-vear-old bullocks grown on the Balfour Estate was purchased by Sir Walter Buchanan at £l3 17s 6d per head. _ Tho principal sales were as under: —Thirteen four-year and five-year bullocks. £l9 15s; 20 do. £l9 ss; 11 do, £lB ss; 17 do, £lB 2s 6d; nine three-year and four-year bullock': £l7; 12 three-year and four-year bullocks. £l6 10s; 20 do, £l6 2s 6d; 63 do, £l6; 19 " l hree-vcar-old steers. £lB 17s 6d; nine do, £l7; 20 do. £l7; six do. £l7; 12 do £l6 10s; 10 do. £ls 10s; 109 do. £ls 4s 6d; 17 do, £ls 15s;- 10 do. £ls; 25 do, £l4 15s; 30 do. £l4 17s 6d; 12 do, £l4 17s 6d; 28 do. £l4 12s 6d; 12 do. £l4 10>s; 49 do. £l4 12s 6d; 13 do. £l4 10s; 21 do, £l4 7s 6d; 33 do. £l4 7s 6-1; 89 do. £l4 7s 6d, 29 do, £l4; nine do. £l4; 30 do. £l3 17s 6d; 44 do. £l3 16s 6d; 16 do. £l3 17s 6d; 14 do. £l3 7s 6d; 25 two-vear-old steers, £l3; 40 do. £l2 10s; 11 do, £l2 10s; 14 do, £ll 10s; 35 do. £ll 7s 6d; eight do. £l2 12s 6cl; 20 do, £ll 2s 6rl: 20 do. £lO ss; 45 emptv Hereford-Shorthorn cows. £l4; 37 threc-votr Shorthorn h-ifcrs. £l4 2s 6d; 49 fat and forward eows. £l2 Is; 19 P.A. cows with calves, £l6 10s; 25 fat and forward cows. £l2; 14 fat cows, £l4: 30 forward cows. £10; and numerous other lots. Prices ranged as follows: —Four-year and five-year steers. £l9 5s to £l9 15s; fourvoar steers. £l6 to £l7; three-year steers, £l3 5s to £1" 17s 6d: two-vear-old steers, £ll 5s to £l4 10s; yoarlinn- steers, £3 5s to £ll emptv cows suitable for breeding, £l2 to £l4; heifers do. £ll to £l4 2s 6d; forward cows. £lO 10s to £l2; store cows, £7 10s to £9: breeding cows with calves, £l6 10s; dairy cows with calves at foot. £9 to £ll 10s; two-vear-old dairy heifers (enroty). £7 to £3 10s; yearling do. £4 15s to £6 15«; yearling station-bred heifers. £8 to £9 10s: two-year do. £8 5s to £lO 15s. CARE OF SOLDIERS' FARMS.

The care of soldiers' farms is now under consideration, and in some quarters no effort is to be spared in order that those farmer* proinsr to the front will not suffer moro than is possible. The .proposal was enthusiastically received at a spee'rd meeting of the Obaupo Branch of the Farmers' Union, and assistance was promised to any workable scheme that may be brought forward by the central body. A letter was also read at the same meeting- from Major Lusk,

chairman of the Graziers' Association asking members of the union to quote any surplus dairy heifers and cows at a reasonable pneo for the purpose of stocking the farms of returned soldiers. The work of allocation would be done by his association free of charge. Farmers as a rule are very good in assisting efforts of the kind in question, but the object of making the position quite clear is to prevent the inexperienced young fellow from being at a disadvantage if buying in the open market. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND TAXATION. There is a big movement in hand to have agricultural societies exempted from tho liability of rates on properties they owned. Representations were made on tho matter by Mr H. J. H. Okey, M.P., to tne Taranaki County Council on Monday. He said it was proposed to introduce a Bill in the House exempting agricultural societies from rates. At present, iocai bodies had discretionary powers in the matter. A good deal of discussion followed, and though two members of the council dissented, the majority endorsed the principle referred to. PALMERSTON'S PROSPERITY. Palmerston North is a prosperous town, because it is tho centre of a laige and valuable district. This was clearly demonstrated at the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, when it was pointed out by the president that in almost any direction now one could see evidence of the great dairying industry, for which this coast is becoming so famous. Within a radius of 20 miles of Palmerston North there were no fewer than 21 cheese and 34 butter factories, and it is estimated that the output of the butter last season from these factories was 3358 tons, which may be valued at £5150 per ton, making a total of £500,'/GO. Tho output of cheese from the 21 factories is estimated -at 2379 tons. This, at £IOO per ton, makes a total of £287,800 for cheese, so that within a comparatively short distance of Palmerston North no less a sum than £788,600 was paid out for butter and cheese alone WOOL VALUATORS BUS"*. "Government valuators appointed to assess the value of tho wool m connection with the Imperial Government's purchase; of tho New Zealand wool clip reacned Gisborne at the beginning of the week. Their visit was really of a flying nature for the purpose of relieving the congestion that has occurred at tho local stores. They lost no time in valuing tho loose baled wool in the stores, so that it could be dumped and shipped. Mr J. W. Bright, chairman of tho Woolbrokers' Association, when questioned, said any valuator appointed by the brokers did not value with tho Government men. He may, or tho brokers may, challenge any valuation, and the Government valuators may havo another look at tho wool concerned In Hawke's Bay, Mr Bright understood, this privilege was not availed of very much, there being only ono instance where the valuators' prices wore questioned. It was only in cases where tho prices differed materially from the brokers' or growers' that the valuations would be challenged, and the valuators would probably look at the wool again and alter or maintain their price as they considered best. A considerable amount of work is entailed in arranging the wool for exhibit and valuation, the bales being piled up in tiers, according to the various brands and classes. The display necessarily is on a considerably larger scale than anything previously made in Gisborne. THE BUTTER-FAT IMPORT. The action "of Taranaki dairymen in still keeping up their protest and agitation against the butter-fat import of %d per lb is rather ill-judged, and it seems a pity that they will not accept tho inevitable with good grace, and show that they are willing to give up |d per lb to meet tho present difficulties without any further argument. After all is said and done, the sacrifices for Empire are not being mad ■ by tho farmers only. I may say here that my duties tako me among all classes, and, though optimistic by nature, I cannot say I feel very happy as regards the future outlook unless the the farming classes as a whole drop that apparently "grab all" kind of spirit. Coming in contact as I do with many workers, I can see trouble looming ahead if the position is not grappled with, and I have no hesitation in Baying that without they take a "pull" and try and work in with tho National Government in connection with tho matter of produce, fanners will have something moro than three farthings a lb off their cheese to worry them. The Hon. W. D.- 8. MaoDonald, Minister of Industries and Commerce, has, however, inspired great confidence among the working community by the firm, masterly, and statesmanlike way he is handling the situation. Tho Minister haa just addressed another letter to tho Taranaki Executive of tho Farmers' Union, In wlp'ch he saysi "I would like to point put that your executive overlooks the cardinal fact that the Empire is passing through the most critical stag" in its history, that Its existence is at stake, and lhai !+ can

or.ly be preserved by the- willing sacrifices of its citizens. Tne Government of New Zealand, in common with the Governments of other constituent parts of the Empire, has found it necessary in tho public interest to interfere with many hrarches of trade and industry with the object of mitigating in some degree the suffering caused by the war. It is not correct, therefore, to say that the dairy industry has been singled out for special treatment; but when a necessary of life like butter threatens to reach famine prices in the full flush of the season, tho Government could not stand aside and do nothing to protect the consumers, especially when at tho same time they were making the supremo sacrifice from every family in the Dominion, 85 per cent, of whom find the high prices directly attributable to the war a heavy burden. I would further point_ out that tJie contribution to the equalisation fund — viz., Id per lb of butter-fat—is net a class tax, -nor, indeed, a tax of any description, as its object is not to enrich the Treasury, but to compensate those factories that in the past have voluntarily supplied the local market at a considerable disadvantage to themselves—a position they could no longer undertake on account of tho extremely high prices offering for export. The price fixed on the recommendation of the Board of Trade is high for summer—considerably higher, in fact, than prices realised in similar seasons in pre-war days, and should therefore occasion no real hardship to suppliers. I emphasise the fact that the action taken can only bo regarded as a temporary war measure and as an honest endeavour to extend equity and justice to evory section of the people, all of whom have shown great patriotism and loyalty in this time of stress and trouble." A MEAT COMPANY'S BIG PROFITS. That there are huge profits in the meat business when properly run is demonstrated by tho Gear Moat Co., whose profits for the year are not less than £72.452. Tho directors recommend an interim dividend cf 5 per cent., absorbing £4000; also an interim dividend of 2£ per cent, from the profits earned by the reserve funds, and a special dividend of 5 per cent. The substantial sum of £25,952 is also carried forward. A SHEEP DEAL. At Eltharn Magistrate's Court H. B. Fitzherbert sued T. M'Lellan and H. W. Bovis for the sum of £llO, being the value of 50 ewes and six lambs, which the plaintiff alleged ho had bought from defendants, had paid for, and had not got delivery of. The plaintiff bought defendants' farm in April last, and subsequently bought the sheep and lambs. The two defendants had in tho meantime dissolved partnership, and defendant M'Lellan claimed half the stock as his, and refused to recognise that his share of the sheep and lambs was included in tho deal. M'Lellan, it was pointed out, was now in camp. The plaintiff was nonsuited on his claim against Bovis, with costs (£5 _10s), and judgment was reserved in the claim against M'Lellan. GRADING AND HERD-TESTING Mr D. Cuddio, Dairy Commissioner, in addressing farmers at Otorohanga in the King Country this week, gave some advice to factory suppliers regarding tho condition in which cream should be supplied. Sufficient care, ho said, was not always taken in this respect by farmers, and he was pleased that the grading scheme h#d been adopted in the district, as this must result in raising the standard of the butter produced He spoke of the advantago of herd-testing, which, he thought, should b"» done by the dairy companies on behalf of tho farmers. Three companies in the King Country had appointed an expert to test? their herds, and ho would like to see the system extended to To Kuiti and Otorohanga.