THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3348, 15 May 1918, Page 10

THE NORTH ISLAND.

(Fnou Oon Own Cokhespondent.) The weather has been fairly stable during the past week, but there is no shortage of moisture. A few weeks back, in Taranaki and further along the west coast, everybody wanted rain, and now they are getting in with the payment of arrears. Auckland and Poverty Bay districts have been enjoying better weather, whilst in Hawke’s Bay it has been very much more settled, and pastures are improving very rapidly. In the Auckland district the mildness of the season is demonstrated by some freaks of Nature at Davenport. It is reported that in one garden apple trees are in bloom, whilst some of the previous crop is still on the trees, and in another garden Christmas plum trees are in full flower. It is yet difficult to ascertain what area is going under crop this season; but it would almost seem as if there is not going to bo such a big area in cereals. Ploughing, as usual, is very active about this time of the year, but teams are not nearly so busy. It is true, of course, that heavy rains and the sodden state of the paddocks have delayed operations somewhat; but one would like to see more ground facing turned over. In respect to the growing of wheat it is interesting to note that last year Mr Gr. L. Marshall, Wellington provincial president of the Farmers’ Union, offered a prize for the best paddock of wheat. The winner of the prize is Mr R. E. Beckett, a wellknown farmer of Marton, his paddock having produced a field of 42 bushels to the aero.

In tho Rnetihi district, where bush fires recently did so much damage, grass-seeding is almost completed, and a considerable portion of tho country swept by lire is showing a tinge of green. Little growth, however, is expected before spring, when the settlers will again be busy restocking.

SALE OF PUREURED SHORTHORNS IN THE WAIRARAPA.

An important salo of purebred Shorthorn cattle took place at Carrington during the week on behalf of Mr W. Howard Booth. Buyers attended from nil parts of the Dominion, thus proving that Mr Booth's stock is hold in high repute. Several breeders who wero present considered that the sale was a record one, for the Dominion. The quality of the offerings was of a high standard, tho heifers in particular being a most promising lot. Tho total herd of 82 lots, including calves, made tho satisfactory average of 70gs, purchasers being well spread over the Dominion, though the bulk of the herd remains in the North Island. Mr Robert Buick paid 200 gs for Carrington Duchess 44th, with calf, and 220p:s for a heifer, Carrington Duchess 91st. The same gentleman paid 230g9 for Carrington Duchess 22nd and 180 gs for her heifer calf, 230c;s for a heifer Carrington Duchess 95th, and lOOgs for Carrington Duchess 23rd. Mr R. Chadwick, Danncvirke, paid 200 gs for a heifer, Carrington Duchess 74th. Mr H. Grcig, Now Plymouth, secured Carrington Duchess 76th for HOgs. while Miss Watt, of Waverley, paid 130 gs for Carrington Duchess 80th. Mr W. F. Jacob, Feilding, paid 160 gs for tho cow, Carrington Duchess oth. with calf at foot, and Messrs Harding: Bros., Waikato, purchased freely, securing

the cow Carrington Duchess 46th at Ssgs, and paying lOOgs for her bull calf. Mr W. J. Jenkins, of Canterbury, purchased the cow Carrington Duchess 36th at 105 gs, and the same breeder bought Duchess 11th at 80gs. Mr J. Bartosh, of Taihape, paid llOgs for Duchess 35th; Mr S. G. Perry, lOOgs for Duchess 'B4th ; J. Knight Feilding, 115 gs for Duchess 100th; J. Holden, Gisborne, lOOgs for Duchess 108th; M. -Wilson, of Bulls, 120 gs for Duchess 92nd. The following bulls were disposed of: — * gsYearling bull, Carrington Duko 99th, J M'Master 25 Carrington Duke 111th, M'Bean Stewart 80 Carrington Duke 107th, Percy Bros. .. 20. Carrington Duke 56th, R. I. Levin .. .. 19 Carrington Duko 102nd, G."oForem<an .. 80 Carrington Duke 109th, G. Foreman .. 100 Carrington Duke 105th, R. D. Fisher .. 95 Sire MaTaekakaho Royal Oswald, Sir Walter Buchanan 80 Sire Maraekakaho Ben Ormond, M. Donovan 35 TIME FOR STOCK-TAKING. The Manawatu A. and P. Association, which is regarded as being one of the strongest, if not the strongest, associations of its kind in the dominion; but it has shown a -steady decrease in membership since warjbroke out. There is no time like the present for a little stock-taking, and this course was followed by the treasurer, Mr R. M'Knight, in the course of his annual report. He stated that during the past four years there had been a steady decrease in members' and life membars' subscriptions, showing a total loss of revenue of £293. Mr M'Knight said the association was becoming more a«d more dependent upon this vicarious source of revenue for its existence, and urged upon members the necessity of making a special effort to add to the membership. He pointed out that, in the future, there would be very keen competition in the farming, as in all other, branches of the industry, and every facility should be provided for the rising generation to equip itself to meet this contingency. "We have only to read the history of the development of the farm industry in Germany during the past 40 years to realise what we are up against," Tie concluded. THE CATTLE TICK. The alarm caused by the spread of cattle tick in North Auckland has extended to other districts, _ and the necessity for promptly stamping out the pest was emphasised at a meeting of the Provincial Executive of tho Farmers' Union at Te Puke. It was decided that the Stock Department should be asked to prevent the shifting of cattle from infected areas until satisfied there was no danger in doing so. FARMERS AND FAMILIES. Like most places just now, Waverley district farmers arc very much interested in tho subject of income tax; but who really understands it. One correspondent in Taranaki points out that last year they had exemption up to £3OO, with a further exemption of £25 for two more children, and thoso with largo families thought that things were at last' on the right line, and that they had CQjno into their own. On claiming this exemption, in their income tax returns, however, they were curtly informed that, under "The Finance Act, 1917," no exemptions were allowed over £3OO. A single man therefore pays tho income tax as a man with a family of seven, and children are a national asset. SOUTH ISLAND MERCHANTS AND PRICE OF GRASS SEED.

Certain inferences were made some little timo ago, during- a discussion at Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, that the price of grass seed had been unjusifiably raised by southern merchants on the occasion of the Ractihi fires, and tho allegations made wero taken exception to by South Island merchants. Mr C. H. Hewb'tt, president of the North Canterbury Seed and Grain Mer : chants' Association, wrote to the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce about the matter, and he declared that the statements made concerning the price of cocksfoot charged by South Island mcrhants were absolutely ihcorret and without foundation. He asked that if tho published statements wero correctly reported the Chamber should refute them. "I refer to the chairman of tho Board of Trade to subsantiato my assertion," he concluded, "and suggest that before members of one Chamber of Commerce make statements regarding the conduct of members of another Chamber and_ allow them to appear in print, they verify the facts." Statements in support of previous allegations wore made by Messrs T. B. Williams and A. 11. Harris. The latter was

very definite, and said he was prepared to stand to "what he had said, and prove it.

COW TESTING IN TARANAKI

Cow testing returns from the Bell Block and Mangorei Cow Testing Association for the March-April period aro now available as follow: — . *. fe

Average Association Cow * u EXPORTATION OF FRUIT. During the Fruitgrowers' Federation Conference in Auckland comment was made by directors that opportunities _for exporting fruit had not been available during the past year. The report stated that the absence of shipping facilities for South America prevented any business in that territory. A glut of fruit in San Francisco and Vancouver so depressed prices tliere as to make export 'to those districts unprofitable. Furthermore, the Union Steain Ship Company, which controlled the freight, and had space available, would only place it at the growers' disposal at 2s a case more than was charged for similar fruit imported into New Zealand from the same ports. This position had been laid the Government. As export was imi>ossible, the directors decided that steps should bo taken to endeavour to enlarge the demand for fruit among New Zealand consumers. For that purpose a publicity campaign had been arranged, which had considerable results. From each part of the Dominion for several weeks past many hundreds of letters had been received from people who were considering'

the apple question from a health and food point of view. The apple-eating habit must and would grow, and that was the federation's object. A WAR ON ROOKS AND OPOSSUMS.

On the occasion of the Fruitgrowers' Conference in Auckland a discussion took place concerning the ravages made in orchards by opossums and rooks. One Hawke's Bay representative declared that the rooks take 75 per cent, of the walnuts, and they could clear an acre of maize before breakfast. Rooks certainly helped to keep down insects, but that hardly compensated the farmer for having to plant his maize two or three times. It was mentioned that in Australia there were crow destruction boards, which paid 2s a head for rooks. Professor Kirk said the question was: Did the rook earn his wages? If he benefited the farmer but lived on the horticulturist it was rather hard on the latter. It was finally decided to ask the Minister to removo protection over rooks. It was also agreed to ask the Minister of Internal Affairs to prohibit the further liberation of opossums

A GREAT NEW ZEALAND FRIESIAN. When Americans or Canadians go in for semi-official cow-testing in order to produce new records in the world's production of milk, the breeders usually feed their cows on special rations, and milk four times a day. Under ordinary conditions, however, it is doubtful if any cow has put up the record so far achieved by Mr J. Donald's (Westmere) Friesian cow Westmere Princess Pietertje. This cow's lactation period is not yet finished, but in 323 days to the end of April, and 40 days then to go, she had recorded no less than 22,6001 b milk and 8651 bof fat. She is at present giving 461 b of milk per day on a 4.6 test, and if she maintains an average of 431 b per day sho will have reached 24,0001 b of milk, and well over SOOlb of (at. Under the conditions of feeding and milking, etc., it is a remarkable performance, and places Mr Donald's cows among the ranks of the world's best. His Friesan heifer Woodcrest Johanna Tahu recently achieved the distinction of being New Zealand's champion cow. ELECTRIC POWER FOR SOUTHERN HAWKE'S BAY. Mr G. P. Anderson, electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, has been in the Dannevirke district during the past two weeks in connection with the supply of electrical power from the Mangahao hydroelectrical scheme. Mr Anderson states that the principal supply of power to Southern Hawke's Bay will be from a sub-station at Bunnythorpe, while it was also probable that there would be another sub-station at Dannevirke or at Matamau. From Bunnythorpe the line for Southern Hawke's Bay would cross the Ruahines a little to the north of Woodvillei over Whariti Saddle. Two alternative lines have been surveyed for the distribution of the power, one running along the foot of the mountains in the direction of Umutaoroa (at" whichpoint the survey work has and the other running almost parallel with the main Napier road, about three-quarters of a mile therefrom. If it were decided to run the line only to Dannevirke, the substation would probably be close to the town, while if the scheme were to be extended to Norsewood, the sub-s'tation would probably be at Matamau, which would suoply the surrounding districts. Woodville," Kiritaki, Te Rehunga, and Rua Roa would be supplied with power by means of subsidiary lines. Mr Anderson indicated that the scheme eventually was designed to link up with Waikaremoana, and its possibilities in the development of Southern Hawke's Bay, he said, were incalculable—though just, when the project will be commenced or completed was in the lap of the gods. CHEESE AND BUTTER. In a number of dairy districts the relative merits of butter and cheese as a payable proposition are frequently discussed, and at Hamilton a few days ago the same matter received consideration. The consensus of opinion was in favour of cheese, but some of the speakers contended that it would not be advisable for everyone to go in for it, as that would cause a glut, i A _ returned soldier remarked that it was difficult to understand the action of the Imperial Government in commandeering cheese, for the men did not value it as a ration, and a largo proportion was wantonly wasted. GENERAL. It is stated in Dannevirke that the position in regard to the Manga'toro block is that the Government has actually acquired 1800 acres, and is now in negotiation with the Native owners for an additional 700 acres, which up to the present they have been unable to obtain. The block originally comprised 5000 acres, _ the freehold of half of which was acquired by Mr Bower Knight, and it is the balance that concerns the Government endeavour. Competition for sheep and cattle in the Feilding district sho"<vs an all-round improvement. At last Friday's sale medium lambs sold at 17s 3d, fat and forward owes 27s 3d, small weaners £1 10s to £2 16s, 18-month-old heifers £5 2s 6d, 18-month-old steers £6 2s, and 20-month-old steers £8 13s.

At a meeting of the Wellington Provincial Executive of the .Farmers' Union the secretary reported that the returns showed in the Feilding, Marton, and Wanganui districts particularly there was a very large and gratifying increase in membership. As a result of complaints made by farmers at Mutamata, tho_ Farmers' Union recently communicated with the Railway Department at Auckland in reference to the necessity for an improvement of the stock train timo-tablo between Te Kuiti and Matamata. The department has replied that under 'the new time-table the subject for comnlaint will be removed. The latest pastoral statistics show that Hobson County, North Auckland, possesses 2403 horses, 34,478 head of cattle (including 8885 dairy cows), 106,029 sheep, and 2079 pigs. The figures for Otama'tea, the adjoining county, are 2869 horses, 34,657 head of cattle (including 8601 dairy cows), 72,932 sheep, and 2869 pigs. CANTERBURY MARKETS. GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORTS. (Lyttelton Times, May 11.) Owing to a variety of reasons the grain and produce market remains iu a very quiet condition, the amount of business has been reduced almost to tht> vanishing point, and to-day neither _ seller* nor buyers appear anxious for business. During the last two weeks the offerings of wheat have- been within exceedingly narrow compass, some days passing without a sample being placed on offer. With tho greater part ol tho thrashing already finished in Canterbury, this has caused not

a little surprise in mercantile circles, where there are many inquiries as to the whereabouts of the millions of bushels given in Governent statistics which have not yet been accounted for. The general opinion entertained to-day is that the statistics supplied in the earlier part of the season were misleading, and that the amount of wheat which will be available from last harvest will be much below the estimates of the Government departments. Up to the present there has been no general second issue of warrants and consequently some merchants, having already reached their limits, are forcibly off the markets. However, the majority of them have already secured sufficient for their immediate demands, and consequently they are showing no anxiety to. add to their stocks at present. Few oats have been placed on the market during the present week, the easier tone of the market, coupled with the disinclination of some buyers to operate at any price, having apparently deterred farmers from bringing forward their parcels. Owing to the shipping problem there is an entire absence of outside business, and recently the amount which has been sent to northern markets has been very restricted. Were there any means of shipping for the North Island there is little doubt but there would be a maeh keener desire on tho part of merchants to acquire lines, but with the market almost entirely blocked merchants show no desire to operate except in a hand to mouth manner. The weakness which has been noted in tho potato market during the last week has, if anything, been accentuated during the present week, and quite a number qi buyers are off the market pending a reduction of their present stocks. Except for very prime samples the caaff market is lifeless, and few parcels have ohanged hands for some time except lines of miniature dimensions. The following are the prices paid to farmers at country stations free of commission, sacks extra: Wheat—Milling wheat, Government price. South Island: April, 5s 10£d; May, 5s lid; June, 5s Hid; July, 6s; August, 6s o±d, f.o.b. North Island, 4d extra. Oats—Seed Algerians, 4s 6d 'to 4s 9d, choico to 53; feed Algerians, 4s to 4s sd; milling Gartons, 4s 6d to 4s 9d; feed Gartons, 4s 3d to 4s 4d; seed Duns, 4s 6d to 5s 3d; ligther Duns, 4s to 4s scl; Danish, good quality, 4s 3d to 4s 6d. Barley—Prime malting to 6s 6d; medium, 5s 6d upwards. Flour—£ls 10s per ton; 1001 b bags, £l6 ss; 501 b bags, £l6 10s; 251 b bags, £l6 15s. Bran—Shipping, £5 10s; local, £5 15s per ton.

Pollard—£7 10s per 'ton. Oatmeal—2slb bags, £24 per ton; 71b bags, £26 per ton. Oatsheaf chaff—Bright, heavy, £5 to £5 10s (nominal). Cocksfoot—Undressed, Hid to Is per lb; machine dressed, Is 6d. Ryegrass—Perennial, 4s 6d to 5s 6d; Italian, 5s 6d to 6s. White clover—2s to 2s 3d. Peas—Partridge, 7s to 7s 6d; White Ivory, 10s 'to 13s 6d; Blue Prussian, 15s to 16s; Blue .Imperial, 15s 6d to 20s. 9 Scotch tares —10s to lis. Onions—£s to £5 ss. Linseed—£23. Potatoes—£s 10s.

TIMARU MARKETS. (Correspondent Christchurch Press.) There is not enough fowl wheat offering to fill orders coming to hand. The oat market remains the same as last week, there being practically no offerings. Good Gartons are worth 4s 3d to 4s 6d, on trucks, country stations; while Duns are worth 4s 3d to 4s 9d on the- same basis. Algerians are not wanted, as the demand from the North Island has been filled. By reason of the shortage of shipping and stoi-age space, there is scarcely any demand lor oat-sheaf chaff. Nominally its value is £5 10s per ton, on trucks, for prime, and £4 for medium quality. A few lines of white clover _ are being offered, but thev are not meeting with a ready sale at sellers' ideas of values. The market is much weaker, Is 3d to Is 9d per lb being the best obtainable for farmers' dressed samples, according to quality. Partridge peas are nominally worth 6s 9d to 7s, on trucks, country stations, the market having eased owing to the impossibility of shipment. The North Island markets are reported very much weaker for potatoes, and there has been a resultant fall in values_ here. There arc practically no orders coming to hand from the North Island at present, and values are quoted at £6 to £6 5s per ton, on trucks, country stations, for whites, and 5s more for Teds. Merchants requiring potatoes for immediate shipment may bo in a position to pay a little more 'to secure their requirements. Last week the_ Dunedin market reached £lO per ton owing to a temporary shortage, which has since been met by. increased consignments. Importations "of Australian potatoes are being made into North Island ports, and these are having a depressing effect on the market. So far as the supply is concerned, there does not appear to be much prospect of a surplus should there_ be the usual demand; but the position is rather obscure. The present weakness of the market is said to have emanated from Christchurch. Fairly large shipments of wheat, potatoes, and milling produce have been made to the North Island from Timaru daring the week, and what is wanted now is a sufficiency of steamers to clear the stores of the chaff which is here awaiting shipment.

BELL BLOCK—HERD AVERAGE. No. Cows. Milk, lb. Test Fat, lb. 40 490 .. 5.5 .. 25.22 80 340 . .- 5.4 .. 18.68 16 488 .., 5.1 .. 25.24 19 455 .. 6.4 .. 24.93 5 405 .. 6.5 .. 26.35 13 809 .. 6.3 .. * 19.64 5 284 .. 6.2 .. 17.65 21 256 .. 5.2 .. 13.52 24 463 .. 6.5 .. 30.30 ' 36 860 .. 5.3 .. 19.28 HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL YIELu> CALCULATED FOR MONTH. Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. 870 6.0 52.20 465 6.8 26.97 630 5.8 36.54 435 7.0 30.45 480 6.6 31.68 390 8.6 33.54 510 6.2 35.64 480 6.2 29.76 600 4.2 25.20 510 9.2 46.92 450 7.4 33.30 LOWEST INDIVIDUAL YIELD CALCULATED FOR MONTH. Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. 195 6.4 12.48 240 5.0 12.00 405 4.0 16 20 360 5.2 18.72 315 6.8 21.42 195 6.0 11.70 180 7.0 12.60 90 7.0 6.30 75 4.2 • • / 3.15 195 .. ~- 10.2 19.89 210 • 4.6 9.66 Milk, lb . Teal. Fat, lb Best herd .. .. 463 6.5 30.30 Worst herd .. .. 256 5.2 13.52 Best cow .. .. .. S70 6.0 62.20 Worst cow .. , .. .. 75 4.2 3.15 Average Association Cow .. .. .. 381 5.8 22.80 MARGOREI.—HERD AVERAGES. No. Cows. Milk, lb. Test Fat, lb. 16 524 .. 4.3 .. 22.69 38 337 .. 4.3 .. 15.17 24 365 .. 4.7 .. 16.80 17 481 .. 5.0 .. 24.36 8 315 .. 5.6 .. 17.64 HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL YIELD CALCULATED FOR MONTH. Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. 570 5.0 28.50 735 4.4 - 32.34 570 3.9 22.23 630 5.0 81.50 390 6.1 23.79 LOWEST INDIVIDUAL YIELD CALCULATED FOR MONTH. Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. 375 5.0 18.75 195 8.2 6.24 150 4.8 7.20 360 4.7 16.92 815 4.2 13.23 Milk, lb. Test. Kaf, lb Best Herd Worst herd . Best cow .. . Worst cow .. . .. 4S1 . .. 337 ,. .. 735 .. .. 195 5.0 24.36 iA 15.17 4.4 82.84 3.2 6.24