THE NORTH ISLAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3429, 2 December 1919, Page 12

THE NORTH ISLAND

(From Otjh Own Corbespondent.)

The weather has been fairly kind during ihe past week, and it has afforded sheepmen every opportunity to "carry on" with the shearing. Flocks are being dealt with more expeditiously than last season, and, judging by reports I have received from many districts, the clip on the whole should be satisfactory. In the Poverty Bay district shearing is -well advanced, and is fully a month ahead of last season'. The general opinion at Gisborne, however, is that many fleeces are much lighter than usual, owing to the comparatively late shearing last season, combined with the fact that the autumn was so dry. Stock in most parts are doing well, though reports from Wairarapa are not too favourable, both cattle and sheep being affected. A good deal of mortality has been reported, but it is generally considered to bo the sequel to the very bad ending to last season. Pork continues 10 be scarce, and retailers state that they have never known such a shortage. In the Gisborne district the shortage is due to the fact that farmers are concentrating on calves, ; whilst in the Waikato, where so many dairymen have taken their supplies to the glaxo;-,fac-tories, there is a very acute shrinkage in pig returns. STRATFORD SHOW. The main Taranaki attraction of the past week was the Stratford Show. Main interest centred in the cattle section. Ayrshires were a very strong class, Mr T. H. C°lpman's exhibit being awarded the cow championship, and the entry of Mr F. Mills, of Hawera, the reserve. The champion cow had travelled all the way from Waikane, a distance of 176 miles. She has gained in all 36 prizes, and of these only two were thirds. Jerseys. were a good collection, and included exhibits from Garterton. Palmerston, and' all districts in Taranaki. -The milch cows were an outstanding feature., '"The £SO prize for New Zealand champion was. won by Fox's Patch. 11, owned by Mr S. R. Lancaster, of Palmerston North. The cow was closely pressed for the chamoionship by Majesty s {Jileen, both champion and leserve being by tin imported bull Majesty's Fox. The three_ year-old bull which won the £SO was. owned by Mr F. Ranford, of Stratford. Another section which aroused the greatest interest was the Friesians, for which a beautiful silver bowl valued at 50gs was presented by Mr Jackson Campbell as a points prize. Shorthorns and grade cattle were a nice lot Sheen classes were not strong, the best showing being in Romney Marsn, Lincoln* and freezers. There were some line entries of fat sheep and fat lambs. \MONG THE FLOWERS OF HAWKE'S BAY. ', . Hawke's Bay's climate is particularly well adapted towards the growth of flowers as well as fruit, and if any evidence of that fact were needed it was available at.the sixth annual show of the Hastings Horticultural'Society. The roses were,, of course the central attraction, and, despite the fact that owing to the condition of the present season, the exhibition was just a week too late to catch the blooms at the zenith of their perfection, the display presented a glorious sight, probably the best ever seen in Hawke's Bay. The miscellaneous flowers section also drew forth rumerous entrants, and. very keen competition, the exhibits forming a brilliant and effective exposition. Mrs H. M. Wilson, of Hastings, won the championship for her rose exhibit. - GISBORNE* WOOL. During the past month the Gisborne ShMp-f.u-mers' Frozen Meat Co. catalogued 2086 bales of wool for valuation by the Government, AH wool was reported to be well classed, and the general get-up excellent. Wools shorn early were light in weight, but satisfactory prices were realised and good averages obtained. Ihe following values were allotted,' descriptions being according to station-breeding:— •

RUAKURA AND EDUCATION

Dr <j. J. Reakes, Director of Agriculture, has just psid a visit to the Waikato, including, of course, the Ruakura State Farrp. Dr Reakes considers that the farm mu«t" become a great centre of agricultiral learning, and that as time goes on lacilities for instruction will have to be incieaswd. In discussing the prospects of an agricultural college, the Director of Agriculture expressed the opinion that should

the Government decide to erect such a college, it would require to be in. some position central to both islands. Should two colleges bo found .necessary, then tho same question of central situation would have to be considered, though another factor in regard to the North Island that might have to bo taken into consideration was that difference in tho nature of the soil from the King Country northward to that of the lower portion of tho island. Personally ho had no doubt of the future for Ruakura as an educational institution. CO-OPERATION IN THE WAIRARifPA. The Wairarapa Farmers’ Co-operative Association has had a good year. The paidup capital has been increased by £59,853, the subscriber! capital being now £291,643, as against £252,224 last year. - The paidup capital now stands at £272,691, as against £212,857 last year. Tho 'total assets are now £612,561, and the uncalled capital £18,052, making a total of £631,313. The liabilities amount to £254,874, showing a surplus _of assets over liabilities of £376,439, which was equal to £2 9s 6d for every pound owing. According to tho chairman at the annual meeting the association has purchased properties and made’ improvements of a value of over £6OOO. The association’s advances had increased since last year by £IOO,OOO, and this was caused partly by a number of clients being unable to sell their stock last autumn. The association’s turnover for the past year, excluding land sales, exceeded £1,250,000. The association paid nearly £IO,OOO in taxes last year, and this year would, have to pay within tho region of £14,000. . % STOCK IN THE. AUCKLAND DISTRICT. Stock have been accumulating quickly in the Auckland district owing to the butchers’ strike, which at the time of writing is still unsettled. Sales have been suspended, and there has been little or no slaughtering. A big lot of stuff, it is said,' has been railed to the Feilding yards, where one of the largest sales the ‘ district has known took place on Friday. » CROPS IN THE RANGITIKEI DISTRICT. Crops in the Rangitikei are -looking very well at first, but* are now making good ing on really well. Oats did not do so well at first, but are now making good progress. What little wheat there is appears to bo doing fairly well.

Classed A A Grade A ,, realised m 15?; to 17 3 yy 15?. to >162 C „ yy 154 to 1G4 L 14| to 152 A AH yy 162 to 17 i AH „ 15 to 17 B BIT yy 144 to 162 CH yy 154 to 162 1)H yy 15J to 16 A ratr« „ 154 to 162 B rams ,, )f 144 to 152 Cols „ yy 14| to 152 Dead wool yy 1C-4 to 13J Dingy fleece 144 to 154 Fim t pie.ccs yy 11 to 14J Second pieces yy 102 to 124 Bellies 94 to 12J Locke yy 64 to 72 Cv a tellings 74 to 12