THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 11

THE NORTH ISLAND.

CFhom Ode Own Corbesfcvndent.) Farm operations in the North Island during the past week have been mostly devoted to harvesting, and some very fine crops, as well as mediocre ones, are being garnered. It will o interesting to learn a little later on what wheat has yielded. It is quite certain 'that late-sown' crops have been considerably more successful than the earlier once. Rust has appeared in some of the crops. Dairying is going down steadily, but not so rapidly as in other years. However, dry hot winds during the past few days have played havoc with the cows. Grass pastures are very littlo use in the autumn under the 1 most favourable conditions, but when they are subjected to wind and sun combined hay would be just as good feed for milking cows. A feature of this season's farming operations is the number of lucerne paddocks that are being laid down, and it is quite apparent that dry seasons will not be such a bugbear to provident farmers in the future as they have been in the past. Along the west coast the magnificent result-: obtained at Moumahaki State Farm, under the management of Mr T. W. Lonsdale have proved convincing that it pays, and pays handsomely, to cultivate lucerne. Potatoes are digging up well, but the present market rate is lower at this time of the season than it has been for the last six or eight years. With regard to maize, advices indicate that .the market is very bare of maize, as arrivals at Auckland have not been equal to the demand, even at the high prices now ruling. It is considered that the crop is now about exhausted, as it is known that there is not much maize now held on the coast. Reports from Poverty Bay point to the fact that there will not be more maize there than will now be required for local use. The market stands at 7s, f.0.b., at Gisborne. Australian maize is being offered at equivalent to a landed cost in Auckland at 6s 9d per bushel, but it is not likely to be brought across, as the Government prohibition of the importation of weevily grain makes the business somewhat risky. DISSATISFACTION AMONG AUCKLAND DAIRYMEN. It is understood that considerable dissatisfaction exists on the part of butter factory companies in the Auckland provinco in respect to the pri%es fixed by the Government. The complaint is that the maximum received by the butter factories only enables them to pay a limited price for butter. The price paid for cheese enables the cheese factories to pay a higher price for butter-fat. Now, it is stated, the position has become even more acute by the fact that 'the price paid for dried milk is such that the manufacturers thereof are able to pay more for butter-fat than either the butter or 'the cheese factories. This, it can easily bo understood, is interfering seriously with the supplies of butter-fat offering to several of the butter factories, who cannot afford 'to pay the figure which the makers of dried milk can pay—namely, 2s per lb for butter-fat guaranteed over a number of vears. It was contended soma time ago that"the dried milk factories would militate considerably against the output of cheese and butter. Dairymen, after all, aro only human when they seek to soil in the best market. IN TARANAKI. While the dairymen of Auckland are wondering if it would riot pay better to supply the dried milk factories wherever practicable, some of the factories of South Taranaki are more concerned just now in getting supplies of ends for cheese crates. At Mangatoki thoy could no't get any ends cut from seasoned timber, and they had to take ends cut out of green, sappy wood. In that condition, of course, it could not go on the cheese crates, so the manager of the Mangatoki Factory hit on the expediency of steam-drying it in one of their vats. Hero the green timber was thoroughly steamed for a few hours,, and after drying for a couple of days was usable on the ends. It was fortunate that the manager's resourcefulness led him to emnlov this method of rapid seasoning, otherwise his factory might have been placed in a very awkward position. WELLINGTON'S MILK SUPPLY. The Wellington city fathers, likewise the community and farmers, are greatly concerned just now over 'the city's milk supply question, and matters are still in a chaotic state. The.trouble might soon bo ended if

the council would relegate the question of milk control to experts instead of those who know little about the business. Whilo the City Council wanted a- clearing) station, a large section of the farmers were against it. Greville, editor of 'the Dairyman, has now come forward with a suggestion that the whole question be referred to Mr J P M'Ewan (ex-Dairy Commissioner to the New Zealand Government), Mr D. Cuddle (the present Dairy Commissioner), Mr W. M Singleton (Assistant Dairy Commissioner), and himself. He 'thinks that by so doing order out of chaos will be resto*red,_ and a scheme will be evolved that will give satisfaction. In the meantime he has suggested that the block system, adopted by America as a war measure, ; should be put in vogue at Wellington. One enterprising dairyman has already notified his intention to launch the scheme in one part of Wellington, and the experiment '"will be watched with the greatest interest-. Filtered and iced milk will be delivered in Meson jars at, it is stated, id a quart less than the present prices. The experiment will first be tried at Thorndorf, and if successful it will be extended 'to other ; parts of the city. SHORTAGE OF SLAUGHTERMEN. The shortage of slaughtermen is now being severely felt by the big works, owing to the fact that Australian slaughtermen are looked upon as "not wanteds." The shortage of slaughtermen was one of thequestions that cropped up at a sifting of the Military Service Appeal Board, and the secretary of the union for the Auckland province stated in evidence that tho union had modified its award in order to meet the shortage of labour which has arisen under war conditions. The modification consists of the suspension of the learners' clause, so that employers could take on any number of learners they could get. Tho shortage, however. wa3 still general. The executive a't Wellington had adopted the same attitude in connection with the clause mentioned, and the suspension would operate all over the Dominion. This, was taken to be preferable to getting slaughtermen from Australia. THE KITCHENER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP. The Wellington Executive of th<\ Farmers' Union has received from the Education Department a circular in re contribution to the Kitchener memorial scholarships which have been established, and are open to the sons of New Zealand soldiers who have served in tho present war The scholarships -are to be offered to young men between the ages of 16 and 20 who have completed a course in agriculture or dairy science at technical classes, or have been engaged for at least a year in practical farming or dairying. The scholarships are tenable for two or three years at an agricultural college, and are of an annual value of £SO. The communication was brought before a meeting of the Farmers' Union Executive, and the meeting cordially endorsed the proposal and recommended at least ono scholarship being provided by the Farmers' Union branches in the Wellington province It was decided to circularise the various branches, and subscriptions solicited in aid of the Kitchener memorial scholarship. FALL IN STOCK PRICES. Both in the north and the southern parts of the island i't has been very noticeable that there is a falling »off in sales. At Pahiatua, for instance, on the occasion of the cattle fair, prices for grown cattle wore not as -good as at the .soring fair in November—:in fact, prices for all classes of cattle were in favour of tho buyer. Considering the amount of rain experienced during the past month and the wonderful growth of grass prevailing in almost every district, it is really hard to account for tha poor demand for cattle. A nice line of 32 fat and forward bullocks realised £lB. Prices ranged as follows:—Fa't and forward four-year and five-year bullocks, £18; threeyeai and four-year steers (medium), £l3 to £ls 10s; three-year steers (coloured), £ll 10-} to £l2 ss; cows and calves (good), £l3 17s 6d to £l4 10s; medium. £lO 5s to £l2; fat cows and heifers, £l3 to £ls; lighter, £lO to £l2; two and a-half-year steers (good), £ll 10s to £l4 15s; fair, £9 to £lO 10s; 15-month steers (station linos) K £9 to £lO 19p; heifers, £8 10s to £9; dairy yearling steers and heifers. £5 10s to £7 ss; store cows, £5 7s to £7; forward cows. £7 to £9 10s; fat and forward cows, £9 10s to £lO 13s. In the North of Auckland I notice that the same market conditions prevail, and prices for all kinds of cattle, with the exception of cows and beef, are much easier. At Victoria Valley last week a very nice line of beef on account of Mr J. Whito, and another on behalf of Mr H. Panther, realised £ls. At Gisborne the local Farmers' Co-opera-tive Co. held its first ram fair last week, and both the ynrding and the attendance was good. The quality of the rams was in the main quite representative of some of the best flocks, both _ of Poverty Bay and outside districts, whilst both Canterbury and Auckland district flocks were also represented. Apparently many growers put prohibitive reserves on their consignments, which militated considerably against sales being effected. Sales of one-shear rams wero made from Bgs to I2gs ; studs up to 22gs. Tho Poverty Bay Stock-brokers'' Association likewise found at its ram fair that some of the stud rams were difficult to dispose of. Sales were made as follow: Flock rams (Lincoln shearlings): Bred by

New Zealand Land C 0.—20 at 123 gs; bred by G. V. Pearco —five at lOgs, five at 12-igs, five at llgs, and 15 at lligs; bred by E. P. Roberts —eight at llgs, 10 at 9gs; bred by G. V. Smith.—six at 12gs, five at 10|gs, five at lOgs; bred by J. Hawkins—ls at lOgs, 10 at 9igs; bred by Rathbone—five at sgs; bred by Hogg (Opotiki)—five at 6jg3, five at 6gs; bred by J. Harris—lo at 4gs; bred by G. V. Pearec—five at at 9£gs, 10 at B|gs; bred by W. H. Tucker —two at 4gs; bred by John Clark —10 at ,10gs, six at Bigs; bred by J. H. Harristhree at 7gs, six at sgs. Lincolns (two-shear): Bred by Wybourne —lO at 7gs; bred bv G. V. Smith—five at Big.s five at SigSj five at 12ge; bred by G. Y Olliver—six at 4sgs; bred by W. Clark—lo at 8 s L gs. Southdown: Bred by W. Raynor—four shearlings at 4gs; bred by Frampton—three two-shear at 4gs. Border Leicesters: Bred by Maraekakaho Station —seven two-shear at lg. Stud rams ißomneys): Bred by J. C. Field—one ehearling at 19gs; one at 20gs; bred by W. Raynor—one shearling at 20gs. one at 35gs, one at 17gs; t bred by J. C. Field—one shearling (champion at Christchurch Show) passed to Mr Close, of Remuera Farm, Bay of Islands, at 130 gs (the reserve was 200 gs); bred by W. Raynor—one shearling at 25gs, one at 51gs, one at 20gs, one at 38gs, two at 20gs. . Lincolns: Bred by J. H. Harris—two twoshear at "6gs; bred by D. Kirkpatrick—two two-shear at 20gs; bred by W. Raynor—one shearling at 25gs, one at 4gs. Southdowns: Bred by W. Raynor—two shearlings at 4g3, one two-shear at 4gs. One sale that passed off exceeding well was the dispersal sale of the Ngahuka Stud by the North Auckland Farmers' Cooperative Co., and it is claimed that tho sale was the most successful ever held in North Auckland. The prices obtained were a record for North Auckland, and the sheep .sold wore widely distributed, some beinw taken as far south as Gisborne, although the bulk of the stud will remain in tho north. Sixty-three stud rams were sold at prices ranging from for a pen of ram lambs to 51g» for a ram lamb from the champion ewe Waimehaka, which was purchased by Mr A. E. Harding, of Aoroa, Northern Wairoa. The same breeder also bought another' ram lamb for 33gs, which had been donated to the Red Cross by Mr Close. Tho highest price for two-tooth rams was 40gs and 30gs respectively, these figures being given by Mr A. E. Harding. Four-tooth and upwards realised 16£gs. Three hundred and twenty-nine stud ewes were keenly competed for, averaging 6£gs, the prices throughout being well maintained. Mr Edwin Harding (Tangowahine) paid the big price of 16gs for a pen of 11 two-tooths. Mr J. W. Jones paid lligs and lOgs each for two pens of 10. Mr E. G. Appleton paid 10g3 each for two. Eighty-nine cwo lambs realised from 3gs to 14gs, the Remuera Estate buying 62 at an average 'of sig* A TRIBUTE TO PIONEERS—A FAVOURED COUNTRY. One could fill columns of space concerning the great work of the pioneers in this country, and then not one-half would ever be told. The Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald. Minister of Agriculture, got on to the topin when opening the Horowhenua Show, and he paid a great tribute to the pioneers who had "blazed the track" and opened up tho country. He said the countrv between Paekakariki and Palmerston North was some of the best for farming purposes in New Zealand, and its progress would continue to be rapid. In 1908 there were eight butter, 23 skimming, and one cheese factory in the district, and in 1917 there were seven butter, 19 skimming, and 19 cheese factories. The dairy industry was. one that should be fostered. The Government development farms had proved their worth in imparting farming knowledge, and at 'the present time there wero 22 students nt Weraroa; while others wore receiving a more advanced education in agricultural pursuits at the university in Wellington. In regard to flax, the price had enhanced since the war, and was now as high as £99 per ton for the superior quality, as against £22 to £25 per ton pre-war prices. A narasite had attacked the flax. bi>t it was believed that a remedy had been found for it. THE BUTTER PROBLEM. The butter problem is just now a serious one to the producers, and this fact was stressed by Mr H. E. Pacey, managing director of the New Zealand Da'ry Association, prior to leaving Auckland to attend a conference at Wellington. Briefly, the position is, said Mr Paccy. that the exportable butter had been sold to tho Government at 1575, with an undertaking that 50 per cent, of the net proceeds from the sale of such butter in the Old Country will be returned 'to the producers. The 157 a is equal to slightly more than -Is 4ijd nor lb. f.0.b.. or on the average Is 4£d at tho factory door. The price of butter upon the local market is, as the result of Government influence, limited to Is 6d per lb wholesale, which, after allowing for tho wholesale distribution charges, is equal to about le 5d at the factory door, or Ad more than the minimum return from the wholesale trade. As 'the Government is influencing tho_ price on the local market, and has acquired tho export surplus, it is manifestly desirable, said Mr Pacoy, that the returns should be equal. To this end the traders on the local market have urged that they should participate in the profits

from the export trade, which profits thev expect will be considerable, and 'that, failing such participation, competition for supplies of butter-fat may force them to abandon the- local market, with a view to exporting on terms which they believe will lpe more advantageous. The position is particularly acute in the Wellington district, Thero some companies aro understood to havo already seriously considered the question of withdrawing from the local trade. The. reply of the exporting companies is that at present the local trade enjoys an advantage of id per lb, and that any in-

crease in price for exporting factories is problematical, and may be negligible, and that under the circumstances the local factories should be allowed to participate in tho advantage which tho local traders enjoy. Mr Paccy said he believed the way out would be that tho present local advantage should be pooled, and the pool should be augmented by the profits from tho export trade, and that export and local trade should aliko participate hi the advantages of tho pool. This would bo fair, and he believed it would be acceptable, providing the maohinery for such arrangement can be improvised. This would be the principal business of tho conference shortly to be held at Wellington. RAILAGE OF PIGS. At the present 'time hundreds of pigs are to be seen in trucks along the railway line, en route to killing stations, and attention has been drawn to the cruelty that . exists in connection with ' the railing of pigs, especially fat pigs. Tho railroad "regulation allows consignors to_ 'oad any number of pigs at any one loading station, and then consign tho partly-loaded truck on to another to have more put in, and so on, until the 'truck, usually a double-decker, is full, with the result that tho pigs are often lefb for days at tho wayside flag station in the present hot weather before they are finally conveyed to tho slaughterhouse. Mr O. N. Clausen, of Palmerston North, in commenting on the cruel practice, says that some time ago he counted 34fat pigs huddled together, exposed to tho glaring sun, without any cover, and four of them dead. To make matters worse, the pig-buyers give instructions that no food or drink shall be given to tho pigs on the morning of the day they are loaded. While many farmers do not bother much about a pig, there are others, again, who would not willingly perpetrate any cruelty upon 'the " gintleman that pays the rint," and it is hoped that that class of farmer will take the matter- up and_ make such a loud, insistent that it will reaoh the ear of the railway authorities and compel them to stop the shunting and battering of poor, helpless animals. Tarpaulin covers should also be provided. THE POTATO MARKET. Owing ,to showery weather having interfered with digging and delayed deliveries of potatoes, the market hr.s firmed in tone. Still tho outlook is iou ■ lower prices, as good offerings are now being made from various parts of tho north. In tho Auckland district it is considered that the main crop of potatoes will be improved by the rainfall, unless the moist, muggy weather results in blight setting in. At present all indications' point to a good crop in the Auckland district. At Auckland, potatoes are qiiotcd.at £8 to £9 per ton.