LAND SETTLEMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3618, 17 July 1923, Page 10

LAND SETTLEMENT.

To be accused of promoting land aggregation in the Dominion must rankle in the minds of those New Zealand legislators who for many years now have congratulated themselves on “bursting or busting up estates,” and see in their set policy’ of subdivision of our high or low lands acts worthy of Statesmen. It is hard, indeed. In tlie House of Representatives last week the Acting Minister of Lands (Mr Nosworthy) was challenged. It has been alleged that the Government lias been a party’ to land aggregation. \\ nen it is remembered that the Government has been responsible for legislation designed to discourage aggregation and to promote close settlement, it would seem a monstrous thing if it could be substantiated, f igures have been quoted in support of it, and there are some people who may be tempted to regard these figures as the final word on the subject. Figures “can be made to prove anything” is an ancient and true saying. It may have happened that some of our high lands (merino and quarter-back sheep country) have got together. A very good thing too, as a grazier cannot well do with less than an area of high country capable of grazing, say, cOOO sheep. Land, on the lower levels, however, must be viewed from a different aspect. That in certain cases farms have been added one to another may’ not be disputable, but this process of so-called aggregation, which is always going on to some extent, may’ actually be necessary, and the effects of it may be beneficial. For in their efforts to bring about closer settlement successive Governments have not infrequently made the mistake of subdividing land into areas that have not admitted of successful occupation. tSorne of these subdivisions were too small to support a family in average comfort while others were too small to permit of economic production. Land of even high-class quality can be successfully’ occupied only if it is subdivided into areas which will enable the occupiers to make profitable use of them. In both these classes of cases a reasonable degree of reaggregation has become necessary and desirable, benefiting alike the State and the individual. In oases which do not come within these categories aggregation should be rigorously discouraged. This is, if we interpret the speech of the Acting Minister of Lands correctly’, the view that is held by the Government, and the evidence supplied by (Mr Nosworthy supports it strongly. In broad terms he declares that there has been no land aggregation under the present Government, and, while figures have beeu quoted to prove tile contrary", the test of the Government sincerity in promoting land settlement is provided in the return showing the increase in tiie number of holdings of occupied lands. If the number is a diminishing quantity’ land settlement is languishing, but if the number is increasing then progress is clearly being made in the settlement of the land. The following table shows the official figures of “Occupied Lands—Holdings” for 1911 and for each of the past seven years:

19] 1 .. 73,876 1919 .. 80,468 1916 .. 77,229 1920 .. 81,592 1917 .. 79,536 1921 .. 84,076 1918 .. 80,146 1922 .. 84,899

This table allows that the number of holdings has continuously increased doling recent years, but if readers will consult the Official Year Bock covering the period they will observe that Mr Nosworthy was speaking by the card when he said that between 1908-9 and 1910-11—years of administration by the Liveral Party—the holdings showed a decline from 75,152 in the former year to 73,876 in the latter. The figures in the above table, with the exception of 1911, exclude land in borouglrs a fact which further strengthens the claim that the Government has fostered settlement. The record is satisfactory and suggests that the important work of land settlement is at least not being neglected by the Government. NEW ZEALAND CATTLE. HEAVY LOSS ON VOYAGE. Pastoralists and buyers representing all parts oi Australia attended the sale of New Zealand cattle at Newmarket yesterday afternoon (says the Argus of June 29), when nearly 500 head of good-quailtv bullocks were sold. The shipment of 600 arrived by the s.s. Waihora on Wednesday, and owing to the difficulty experienced in landing, the sale of the remaining 100 beasts was postponed until this morning. Although more than 100 cattle perished on the voyage, it is generally acknowledged that the consignment travelled in. comfort, with the exception of those housed in one part of the ship, where a shortage of water occurred. This was the cause of the high percentage of casualties. The general opinion of pastoralists and buyers, who attended the sale in large numbers, was that the cattle were the best single consignment ever seen at Newmarket. They had a very sympathetic reception. At the beginning, owing to the fact that so little was known concerning New Zealand catle, a certain amount of caution was displayed by bidders, but as the sale progressed hesitation disappeared, and the animals sold freely. Prices ranging chiefly from £22 to £25, with £SO for extra weights and £45 10s for show oxen, were realised, and there was an average of £23 10s for the consignment. In commending the enterprise of Air John Wren, who is responsible for the introduction of New Zealand cattle to Melbourne, Mr M'Lean, at, the opening of the sale, said that the cattle lost on the voyage were valued at £2OOO, and he hoped a brisk sale would compensate Mr Wren for that loss. Several people interested in cattle wore somewhat disapppointed in seeing so many mixed breeds in the consignment. Although it was regarded as an excellent lot of prime cattle, there were at least four or five distinct classes. Several choice pens of Herefords were much admired, and a

pen of three Shorthorn fat oxen were considered worthy of exhibition at the Royal Show. A record price for the year was obtained for one of these beasts, which was bought by Air W. Green, Glenhuntly road, Caulfield, for £45 10s. NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS. Auckland s endeavours to establish a Chair of Agriculture in tile proChair ol vince is most praiseworthy. Agriculture. Their aspirations indicate a real desire to further the knowledge of agriculture from the scientific aspect—the only common-sense way, after all, to approach the subject when one considers the very high prices paid for land in the North Island, and tiie present happy-go-lucky- style of agricultural farming indulged in by many occupiers of land. The Auckland University College Council is most desirous of doing some special work in the education line, and members are apt to get “over the rope” when they discuss j matters anent the “special” schools in the South Island. As if the question as to where any particular educative feature should be taught should (apar tfrom suitability of position and finance) weigh with members with vision worth a thought. The contention that the South Island' contains a.! the special schools and the North none at all contains but little force, as we hear of Ruakura Farm, studs, and Government herds, etc.., being quite landmarks, and of touristic interest to many visitors. Besides, the South Island is far more J •racing than the .North, and the environment is good for students.

Animals which are too fat or too poor will not breed (says an expert.) Shy I his is a fact w ell known. Breeders. no doubt, to breeders of stud stock, who ere not infrequently in having their females on the fat side. . W hen feed is scanty and the weather is rough there is considerable risk that the periods of heat will be affected. I hey, however, will soon return under better conditions, but then, of course, the season is getting late. For animals which may be too fat, it is recommended that Glaubers salts be used. The usual dose is owe pint to one quart of warm water as a drench An American cattle breeder recommends the following treatment, which he states will give satisfaction as long as the organs are not diseased:—Alake up as a drench loz of iodide of potassium dissolved in a half pint of water, and give the close every second day for four. treatments Allow one week to elapse, and give one or two more treatments as long as the animal appears very strong. Usually after three or four treatments the eyes of the patient "1 run and snow matter, and the animal will give signs of general weakness. If those symptoms are not apparent the treatment should be continued for another and stronger dose o rtwo. When an animal comes in season after this treatment, before she is served she should be syringed or irrigated out with a mild solution of earoohe or ordinary baking soda and luke-warm water. Animals should not a• u d w lnle under treatment. A germ tv Inch sets up an acid condition around the reproductive organs is often responsible for apparent sterility. One ounce bicarbonate of soda to one gallon water, injected into the genital passage at the temperature of blood heat, at the period of heat, then twice afterwards, will cure this. The cow is sdved o n the following recurrence of heat Another remedy is syringing with 10 grains permanganate of potash to one pint warm water. Alt trouble can usually be avoided by irrigatmg the cow well after calving with a solution ot 2oz permanganate of potash to one gallon of boiled water, at a little below blood heart.

>e Farmington, Wisconsin, Cow-testing Association completed its Average over third year of testing re--30011) Fat. cently with a record of 404 fitripii e u cows - .These cows averaged ooUolb of milk containing 309.21 b of fat Ihe production was valued at 148dol and the cost of feed at 66d01, leaving the return over feed cost 82dol. The average last year was .501 to milk containing 3001 b fat. Ine highest producing herd in the association consisted of 11 Friesian cows. Thev averaged 14.2481 b milk containing 5041 b fat. ■An’’A° W ." "A this , llercl produced over 18,0-01 bof milk and 6861 b fat each. This herd also contained six of the 10 highest producing cows in the association. The c ° vv ® 1,1 herd received maximum amount of 2-lb of grain daily’, besides mixed havcorn snage, roots, and molasses. The least grain that any individual in the 10 high herds receives in one day when fresh is 121 b. It can be seen that all these men are heavy feeders, but that they, if any, are receiving profits from the business. The average fat pioduction per cow of the members who had tested previous to this year was 3171 b, as compared with an average of 2771 h for the new members. Also 75 of the 89 Register of Production cows were owned by old members. “These figures,” writes Nander Af. Nelson, the tester, “tell why more farmers 3houlcl be in a ec.w-testing association. Alany farmers regard association fees as ail unnecessary farm expense, but those who take association work seriously and regard it as an investment can realise big dividends on the money invested. Records prove that those men who are interested in it and practice what a cow-tester suggests in the matter of feeding, weeding, and breeding are the men who have made coy. testing association work pay. Farmers who have joined just because they wanted to check up on the checsemaker’s test, or because their neighbour joined, or for some similar reason, and have never taken the association seriously, are the men who complain of having received no benefit from this work. One must be interested in this work, as well as any other in order to derive any benefit from it.” Silage odours are absorbed largely through the body of the cow rather than from the air .according Silage than from the air, according Odours. t 0 tests made bv the Gov” eminent Department of Agriculture. Michigan (U.S.A.). hut these odours may bo practically or entirely removed by the aeration of the milk while it is still warm. Rather heavy feeds of silage may be made after milking without any undesirable flavours or odours passing into the milk. When green lucerne was fed in relatively large quantities one hour liefore milking, marked flavours and odours were noticed in the milk, but when aa much as 301 h a cow was fed after milking there was no effect on the milk from the next milking. AGRICOLA.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. By Agricola.

“Farmer,” Pateroa, has a lucerne paddock which he thinks a top-dressing would do good. It is fairly heavy soil, inclined to be wet in patches, with a layer of clay about 3in, and after you go through that you strike gravels. Would you recommend a top dressing of lime? If so, what sort of lime and how much per acre

Yoy say the land is wet in patches; does this mean that adequate draining is lacking, and consequent sourness? Lucerne will not “do” well in such a soil, as the lucerne bacteria will not thrive under such conditions, nor will ordinary clovers “do” well in sour soils. This latter fact may give you an idea as to whether your land is lacking in lime. Then, too, it is but reasonable before attempting liming that drainage should be satisfactory, and generally the soil be of a fertile nature. These matters being adjusted, we may lime with confidence a s to likely results. It is not very material what form of “lime” is used. It depends on cost of “lime” landed in the paddock. If crushed lime-stone (the carbonate) is used it would be necessary to spread at least as much again as crushed burnt limestone (quick lime); that is to say about two tons of carbonate to the acre, or say 15cwt of burnt lime. “Farmer,’’ Garston, writes: “I sent you in two turnips some weeks ago to know the reason of the failure of the crop. I should have sent you full particulars at the time. I must thank you for so kindly replying. The particulars are these. Grass ground laid down for about six years; ploughed up in July, and turnips sown about the middle of December with 3cwt of carbonate of lime and turnip manure to the acre. The turnip seed struck well and looked well for about three weeks, when the leaves turned yellow and got perforated. Whatever was eating the leaves continued to eat them until there was not a vestige of leaves left, and the turnips stopped growing. The paddock is quite clear of rabbits.” It is not an easy matter to satisfactorily determine why the turnip crop was attacked by grubs or insects, and ultimately failed. Grass land not infrequently contains more, or less pests which have not been “outed” by subsequent tillage and so are a menace to green crop. The lime which was applied, I presume, on top of ploughing, was later on well intermixed with the furrow slice, and the manure you mentioned was, I imagine, applied with the turnip seed. Otherwise there would be more or less space between furrow slice and sub-soil and poor connection with sub-soil, which fact in itself, if the weather proved dry, might be enough to cause the turnip plants to languish and fade away, and being weakly plants \ JB' re readily punished by such pests as flys, Wro worms, grubs, etc. Virgin land would have settled down moderately well in comparison with ordinary farm lands, and would permit of sowing on the flat with good hopes of success. Not so, however, lea land or dirty farm acres.

“Information,” Lumsden, writes: “I propose to sow oats and lucerne together in the one paddock to get a crop off before leaving the paddock for lucerne hay. I should like to have, through _ your columns, your opinion of this, mentioning what weight of oats you would sow, and whether or not you would sow both at the same time.” No; first get your lucerne established; as only lucerne country like some parts of Central Otago and Marlborough contains soils so kind to lucerne as to “do” this crop well enough to take undue risks. Unless satisfied that your land contains the necessary soil constituents, the necessary lucerne bacteria, it would be unwise to so-.? out with or without a nurse crop. I would not sav it could not be done, but the chances are oyer many against success. One should endeavour always to get a good “strike” of lucerne, and have, the plants well established before winter. The amount of weed seeds in the soil is a matter which you alone have any idea of, and which must in a measure determine the best method of sowing. Seeding time in your district for lucerne could not well be undertaken before say November, when possibly the land would have warmed up a bit. You will gather from the foregoing that I do not. favour using a nurse crop in the imagined circumstances. Should, however, you decide to go ahead, the lucerne could be sown from the grass seed box and dropped behind the shoes of the drill, covering up with light harrows "and Cambridge roller. Do not sow more than say 251 b oats to the acre. GUARANTEED PRICE FOR WHEAT. GOVERNMENT URGED TO TAKE NO ACTION. The question of the price of wheat for the current year was discussed at the meeting of the North Otago branch of the Farmers’ Union on Friday (says the Oamaru Mail). Mr J. M. Smith stated that he had been engaged in wheat growing for some years, tie was strongly of opinion that there should be no Government interference in the matter of wheat-growing. The whole question should be regulated by supply and demand. It seemed to him that the millers wore getting more out of the wheat than the growers. Mr D. Rodger agreed wih the remarks of Mr Smith. He did not believe in any system of control.

The Chairman (Mr D. Cameron) pointed out that if no minimum price was fixed there would be a danger of the duty being taken off Australian wheat. Mr A. Murray considered that it would be a fine thing if they had a guarantee. No farmer would grow wheat unless it paid him. He was of opinion that 6s per bushel was the lowest price at which farmers could be expected to grow wheat.

Mr Brewster drew attention to the fact that no guarantee was required by lambraisers or woolgrowers. If this was a humanity move in the interests of the people, then they were entitled to ask for a minimum. If it was a move in their own interests then they should abandon it. The Chairman stated that if they discontinued growing wheat and Australian wheat was dumped here, serious unemployment would be created in the dominion. This was an aspect of the question that appeared to be overlooked. Mr Tailentire pointed out that Hie working bakers charged £lB for converting a ton of flour into bread. It was they who were exploiting the people, and not the farmers. Mr Rodger stated that a shortage of wheat would be the first thing to bring the people to their senses. Mr R. B. Meek favoured a minimum price as an inducement to wheat-growing. Mr Murray moved that a minimum of 6s per bushel should be fixed for wheat. Mr Bruce seconded the motion. Mr J. M. Smith moved as an amendment that the Government be urged to take no action in the matter of fixing the prices of wheat. Mr Newlands seconded the amendment, which was carried by six votes to four. DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL. NO DIFFICULTY ABOUT FINANCE. (Pep. United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 11. In a statement to the press, Mr W. Grounds (chairman of the Dairy Council) says: “The opponents of the Dairy Produce Control Bill have been endeavouring to discredit the assurances I have given at recent conferences regarding finance. At all meetings I have made it clear that the last word could not be said until a board w.as set up with power to act on behalf of the industry. I have submitted to Mr Buckleton, who was chairman of the Associated Banks, when the first conversations took place, a verbatim report of my remarks upon finance at Christchurch. These were substantially the same as those made in other centres. He authorises me to say that every word was fully justified. I have now seen Mr Cox, the present chairman of the Associated Banks, and I have his authority for saying that if we are going to work with the Tooley street houses there should be no difficulty about finance. We have made it clear throughout that we intend to work in conjunction with all who are efficiently serving the industry. Following the discussions with Sir Thomas Clements recently, we now have a cable message from him from England that the following Tooley street firms—Lonsdales, Oetzesta, Weddell, Nathan. Anglo-Lane, Wrightson, Lovell, Mills. Davidson, Rowson, and Clements have joined together with the object of setting up an effective organisation to operate on all matters of common interest appertaining to the welfare of the New Zealand dairy industry.”

OPPONENTS TO BE HEARD. COMMITTEE TO TAKE EVIDENCE. WELLINGTON July 12. It. has been arrang-ed that the Agricultural. Pastoral, and Stock Committee will sit on July 18 and the following days to hear evidence regarding the Dairy Produce Control Bill. It was originally decided to hmit the giving of evidence to n email number of representative witnesses, but in view of representations made by the opponents of the Bill this decision has now been modified, and any person desiring to be heard in opposition to the Bill should communicate by wire with the clerk of the committee and mate arrangements for being in attendance at Parliament Buildings on July 18 at 10 a.m. Tho committee is prepared to give two days to hearing evidence in opposition, and desires to make it clear that the. evidence submitted should be concise and to the point. STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES. Weekly Stock Sales. Monthly (ccntinueiP Bnrntide. Wednesdays. Dmitroon, 2nd Wednej iddington, Wednesdays dav Faiareka Railway Juke Woodlands, 3rd Wed tion. Tl’csdays. nesday. Wallaoetown, Tuesdays. Milton. 2nd Tuesday. • , ~ Balfour, 3rd Thursday. Fortnightly. Thornhnry. Ist Frida" Riversdale, Fridays Duntroon, 2nd W„dne»Ashhurton, Tuesdays. day. fleriot. Thursdays. Otautau, 2nd Friday Win ton, Thursdays. Riversdale, 3rd Friday Wyndham, Thursdays. \Vaikka, last Friday. Clinton, Thursdays. Oiydpvale, last Tuesday Balclutha. Fridays. Periodically as Gore, Tuesdays. Advertised. M .. . Lumsden, Mossburu, Orepuki, Mataura, Palmerston, 4th Thurs- Waikc uaiti. River* day. ton. Ngupar i, and Winton, 4tb Tuesday Otago Central Pales OTAGO. The weather last, week showed some improvement throughout Otago, a welcome thaw following upon the very hard frosts which have been general for several days. There are bound to have been losses among sheen on the highlands, as the snow was held by frost for some days, and shepherds have ,beert unable to make very much progress. However, much of the anticipated loss may net prove actual, as the thaw at end of last week seems very general. BURNSIDE MARKET. The yarding of fat sheep at Burnside was comprised for the most part of ewes, and totalled 2434, compared with 2570 the previous week, and 1563 a fortnight ago. Heavy weight prime sheep were not numerous, but satisfied the demand. Values were much on a par with last sale’s rates for ewes, vvith the exception of heavy lots. Medium weight finished sheep were cleared at Is decline on recent rates to par, with a slight improvement towards the close of the sale, wethers "on the hoof’’ realising to 7d per lb. The yarding of 2170 fat lambs was made up of fair to medium quality, last week’s prices being secured for all killable lots, but unfinished and store hoggets eased Is to Is 6d per head, lamb making around 9id per lb. The entry of fat cattle, 190 compared with 339 the previous week and 280 a fortnight ago, was made up of medium weight cattle, and unfinished sorts, with a few pennings of heavy prime bullocks. There was a capital clearance at improved values. Opening at £1 per head advance on last sale s rates, a father appreciation of 10s a head was obtained ere the finish of the sale, beef making to 33s per 1001 b. The entry of store cattle was not large, and few consignments of well-grown bullocks were listed, the pens being moderately filled with medium cows and young mixed sorts. The pick of the conditioned cows sold fairly well, but indifferently bred animals were dull of sale. Some three-year-old steers made to £6, 2J>-year-old s to £4 10s, and medium heifers to £3 10s. Fat pigs sold well at last week s rates, but porkers were a trifle cheapei, baconeis making around 6 4 d and porkers 7|d per lb. ADDINGTON YARDS. The yarding of fat sheep at Addington was on the small side, and in numbers very similar to that of the previous week, tut the quality was not so good. I he dema at the opening of the sale was very g *' indeed, and prices were 3s to 4s ah ad ot those of the previous week, but they were “too good to last,” for ewes particularly. On the run of the sale, however, values were fully 2s 6d in advance of last weeks prices, wethers in the wool making to 14 d P The few hundred fat lambi i : -ed made rates much on a par with loose of the previous week—that is, around lthsd. The entry of store sheep was comparalively large, made un of hoggets for the most part. At times the demand was somewhat dull, but all best grades were sola, some extra well-woolled ewe hoggets making to 29s 6d. and a line of lialfbred ewes (sound) 37s 6d. , . ( , There was a very large entry of fat cattle— s 22, or about 80 head more than at the previous sale. Both the Noith Island and Southland being represented, althougn as the former arrived late, they were not put up at auction. The sale was not exhnerat ino- by any means. Best animals were cheaper by £1 a head, the ton paid for beef being close up to 32s per lOJlb. The demand for all good grades of store cattle was very fair, and there were some nice pennings forward, but dairy cattle were not in too good demand. the duality, however, was notmng extra, Ule best of a medium lot making to £lu. The demand for bacon pigs was very firm at un to 7id per lb, but porkers slacked a little and made at up to 9*d per Id. NORTH ISLAND STOCK VALUES. Generally, reports from the North Island in connection with stock sales indicate a fair demand for sheep, but there was a quietness in cattle which has been on the tapis for over long now to suit cattlemen. In the Westfield market, in the Auckland province, choice beef is saleable at 23s per 1001 b unfinished three-year-old steers £4 to £5 24-year-old steers to £4, Jersey two-year-old heifers £9 to Jl2 10s, Friesian heifers £7 5s to £9, forward wethers 25s to 28s 6d, fair breeding ewes to 265, good to 30s, forward lambs 17s to 21s, ordinary 14s.’ Good draught horses may be quoted at up to £45, medium from £32. In Poverty Bay fair hoggets were cheaper than they were a week ago, and realised from 11s 6d to’lss, good mixed hoggets wethers 24s 3d. In the Wainarapa some IBs 6d, medium ewes 21s to 24s 6d, forward

all-ro-und briskness is apparent for all best grades of sheep and cattle, long-wool ewo hoggets making to 27s 6d, medium to 17s, small from 13s 3d, fair breeding ewes 23s to 255, four-tooth ewes to 30s, two-tooth wethers to 26s Id, station yearlings to £2 7s, good station weaners to £2 10s. In Hawke’s Bay wether hoggets made ISs to 20s, small from 12s lo 14s, ewe hoggets around 21s 6d. good four-'ear-old breeding ewes to 29s 6d, medium sorts from 20s, mixed wethers 21s lo 245, extra 27s 3d. Cattle were quiet, weaner heifers making to 30s, extra £2 2s. year and a-half station woaner steers to £3 19s, dairy cows at or about calving £8 5s to £ll, late sorts £4 10s to £7 ss. In the Wellington district very forward bullocks made to £7 ss, forward wethers to 325, fair hoggets 22s to 23s 9d. BALCLUTHA AND CLINTON STOCK SALES. Some 1500 sneep, chiefly hoggets were yarded at Clinton, the demand being good. A line of forward four and six-tooth wethers made 31s 6d, two-tooths 275, medium tno-tooth ewes 36s 7d, sound-month ewes (not guaranteed) 29s sd, big broken ewes 22a old ewes 12s lOd, fair ewe hoggets 24s 4d, good mixed sex hoggets 25s to 265, fair wether hoggets 19s to 21s .good 24s At Balclutha about 2000 sheep were offered A line of medium two-tooth ewes made 26s 9d, good ewe hoggets 23s 2d border Leicester ewe hogget.s° 335, mixed noggets 22s 4d to 265, medium wether hoggets 21s to 24s 3d. Values of hoggets were generally better than at last sale by Is to Is 6d per head. At a clearing- sale last week, sound-mouth ewes made 425, four and six-tooth ewes 40s, two-tooth ewes 375, fair ewe hoggets 28s. r hese sheep were big sorts, Romney cross and well woolled, and indicates the general tone of the market and future outlook. STOCK NOTES. . T «« re is very little done in stock business m Otago, apart from the usual .sales at •auction. At Palmerston at the last sale about 700 sneep (omefly hoggets) were offered and sold. A line of fair owe hoggets made 2os and wether hoggets 21s to 23s 6d, good in-lamb ewes, but broken, made 24s 6d dairy cow's £4 to £8 15s, Shorthorn yearling steers £3 9s, three to four-year-old bullocks to £6 ss. The top price f or bullocks at. the last Burnside sale was paid for Mr R. Lochheacl (Balclutha) consignment, a truck lot making £ls 17s 6d to £l7 10s ner head, while Mr G. M. Love (Moa Flat) secured up to £l6 15s for well-finished cattle lat lambs sold on behalf of Mr W. J Alexander (Lauder) made to 375. while Mr \V. Doig (Pa-pakaio) realised up to 42s for sm , P en Messrs Ireland IS'-os 'Goodwood) realised to 37s 9d for the tops ot their consignment of iambs. Fat wethers on behalf of the late Malcolm Rooertson (Tapanui) were placed at up to bas Bd, and many heavy prime lots on behalf oi a number cf consignors at. 40s to 49s 3d. Tile first consignment of sheep to come Enough the Otira tunnel to the Addington rard was sold at Addington on the 11th inst. These 90 fat lambs were landed in beaut ful order, in contrast to the lots which have arrived hitherto from the West Coast after a road and rail trip (combined). The lambs were on this occasion the best, in the market and Mr Harcourt, of Keileratigi, \\ est Coast, had the pleasure of realising l°rh» consignment 29s to 31s 9d per head. Ihe Clydesdale Horse Society (New Zealand) voted £5 5s to the Auckland A. and I. Association’s Appeal F'nd in re the recent cattle court case Quiity v. Dell. On the 7th inst. the loading of the second consignment of fat cattle for Australia was In , i, 1 ,. SVVI , n °- About 720, chiefly Hereford •and shorthorn crosses, will be shipped on. this occasion—a very good lot. A third shipment will in the ordinary course follow when the Waihora returns to the Dominion, and possibly others. The closing day for entries for Volume A I of the Clydesdale Stud Book of New Zealand has passed, but breeders are reminded that the higher fees for mares over two years old apply after Volume VI. Foaling returns for the season should be notified without delay to the secretary, P.O. Box 14°, Hawera. Messrs Alfred Mansell and Co., live stock exporters, Shrewsbury, have recently shipped, on behalf of Mr E. Craig Tanner, from the Port of London, a fine selection of Middle White, Berkshire, and Tamworth pigs to Melbourne and Sydney. The shipment includes (says N.B. Agriculturist) Hawthorn Sultan, a Middle White boar bred by Messrs Measures and Bishop; Berkshires from the well-knowm herds of Mr A. Hiscoek, Mr J. Fricker, Mr J. Nagle, and Mr If. R. Beeton; whilst Tamworths were represented by a fine selection of boars and gilts from Mr R. Ibbotson and Major Morrison. Mr Alexander Taylor, Ijjven’on, Polmont, recently sold, says a Home paper, a wellbred Clydesdale mare for export to Australia. This is his three-year-old /dark brown Tama, which stood second in ner class at Glasgow show last week to the female champion Gladys, from Messrs Templeton, Sandyknowe, Kelso. She stood 6ocond in her class at the “Highland” show at Dumfries last year, and was got by Dunure Footprint. (15203), and out of Inveravon Rosebud (49191), by Royal Favourite (10630). The purchaser of this well-bred filly is Mr G. Dair, manager, Yarraview, Lilydalo, Victoria.

Twelve two-shear Suffolk ewes, bred by the Earl of Stradbroke, Messrs D. A. Green, W. Green and Sons, and C. Youngs, and two Suffolk rams bred by Messrs S. R. Sherwood and Barling and Son, have just been shipped to Australia to the order of Senator Fairbairti. This breeder has proved at the Government Farm at Werribee that the breeding of Suffolks and Suffolk-Merino cross, seems to suit conditions better than any other class of sheep. TESTING OF PURE BRED DAIRY COWS. A FRIESIAN IMPORTATION. The Friesian eow Hilda Minto de Kol, owned by Mr C. 11. Steadman, of Kamo, Whangarei, qualified for certificate by calving on June 2, subsequent to her year on C.O.R. test. Commencing her lactation period and test on March 23, 1922, she milked the full year giving, in fact, for the 365th day no lew than 46.51 b of milk. Her total production was 27.773.81 b of milk, containing 1,046.311 b of butter-fat, which represents an average test of 3.76 per cent. Her highest production of butter-fat for a full calendar month was 110.031 b, and her lowest

63.061 b. This is a remarkable achievement, and its significance is considerably enhanced when it is recognised that Hilda Minto de Kol commenced her test at the age of 12 years 56 days. Hilda Minto de Kol has been granted certifieates-of-record on two previous performances. She was first placed on test in 1918, at the age of eight years 179 days, when she yielded 12,644.81 b milk and 402.781 b butter-fat. Two seasons later she gave 738.071 b butter-fat from 22,9221 b milk. She has now increased this creditable performance by no less than 308.241 b of butter-fat, bringing her record to the 1,046.311 b stated above. Thus in three alternate seasons under test she has returned her owner an aggregate of 2,187.161 b butter-fat, or an average of 729.051 b in 346 days. Hilda Minto de Kol was imported from Canada in 1913, and her ancestors figure in the pedigrees of several high-producing Canadian Friesians. She is a good stamp of Friesian of the more robust type, her roomy body, well-sprung rib, and general appearance indicating her. as an animal which with good handling might be expected to give a good account of herself. Mr Steadman is to be congratulated on his ownership ; ml management of an outstanding cow—W. M. Singleton, Director of the Dairy Division. (Journal of Agriculture.) EXPORT BEEF MARKETS. In response to Mr J. B. Cramsie’s (chairman of the Australian Meat Council) appeal for prize monev in order to create good competition at the next Royal Agricultural Show, Sydney, for the best pen of three steers of anv mire beef breed, or of first cross of two beef breeds, not to exceed three years of age and most suitable tor export,' he has received UOgns He desires to secure other 40gns m order to allot second and tbrd prize of a value say, ot 30gns and 20 ms respectively. An experimental consignment, of meat, under the Ballot process, has been despatched to Java from Orange, New South Wales. Advice comes from Queensland that the Council of Agriculture has taken active steps to Cl -operate with many local producers’ associations eager to have some satisfactorv solution of the meat marketing problems definitely arrived"at. says the Meat Trade’s Journal. With a view to the stabilisation of prices through the formation of a State meat pool, a conference, attended by representative cattle growers, the Director of the Council of Agriculture, the State Meat Advisory Board, and others was held, when it was resolved, owing to the condition of the cattle industry, that definite steps should be taken towards the alleviation thereof, and that a committee of the organisations concerned should be formed towards attaining this end. Wyndham Meat Works (Australia) have Bold the whole of this season’s output of •econd grade beef to Belgium.

WORLD’S CEREAL CROPS. —European Crop Conditions. — The following information has reached the International Institute of Agiiculture concerning cereal crop conditions m European countries. In Belgium the weather has been favourable on tlie whole, although April was rather cold. In Germany the weather during the first half of April was cold and dry, but became milder with the later advent of rains. The crop conditions on May 1 was everywhere above the aver ago. In Poland also cereal crops look better than usual at this time of the year, as rain and mild temperature have been general. Winter and spring sown crops are in good condition in Rumania, as the weather is quite favourable. In the Serb-Crcat-Slovene State the cereal crop condition was good during April, but there are fears of ensuing drought which may cause injury. In Hungary winter-sown crops improved during last month; field work made good progress, and the spring sowings are developing well. In Czechoslovakia all cereals were reported in good condition at the beginning of May. Tn Italy there were general rains throughout the country, but they were insufficient in the south and the islands, where persistent drying winds are a subject of complaint. North Africa. — In French Morocco the winter cereals, which had suffered from drought until the middle of March, have been refreshed by later rains, which were also propitious for spring sowings. The cereal crops have also been favoured with rains in Tunis, and it is expected that the yield will be about 20 per cent, over the average for wheat and barley, and 10 per cent, over the average for oats. Wheat and barley in Egypt are also likely to yield more than usual, and the harvest has commenced in that country. —French Crop Prospects.--Statistics published by the Ministry of Agriculture show that the total surface wheat amounts to 5,527,710 hectares, or about 400,000 hectares more than last. year. In spite of a certain amount of damage caused by the wet weather, the general crop prospects are good, arid it is estimated that cereals are about a fortnight ill advance this year. —United States Cereal Estimates.— The Crop Reporting Board of the United States Department of Agriculture estimates from the reports of its correspondents and agents as follows: —On May 1 the area of winter wheat to be harvested was about 55,750,000 acres, against 46,069,000 sown in

trio autumn of 1922 and 42,127,000 acres final last year. The average condition of winter wheat on May 1 was 80.1 per cent, compared with 75.2 per cent, on April 1 of this year, and 83.5 on May 1. 1922. A condition of SO.l per cent, on May 1 is indicative of a yield per acre of approxi mately 14.5 bushels, assuming average variations to prevail thereafter. This would indicate a yield of 578,300,000 bushels against 584.793.000 indicated on May 1, last year, and 586,204,000 final in 1922. wheaT^rowing. POSITION IN CANTERBURY. PRICE CONTROL DISCUSSED. CHRISTCHURCH, July 11. At a meeting of delegates representing the North, Mid, and South Canterbury narmors’ Unions, A. and P. Associations, and tlie Sheepowners’ Union, it was decided to recommend the retention' of the present personnel of the Meat. Producrs’ Board. It was also agreed to support the candidature of Messrs W. W. Mulholland, J. Trotter, D. W. Westenra, 11. D. Acland, and it. Morten for seats on the Meat Board Electoral Committee. The delegates discussed the question of wheat growing and the control of prices. It was generally agreed that the acreage in wheat was 50 per cent, below that of last season, and unless the price were made remunerative enough to encourage spring sowing the dominion would be faced with a shortage of wheat.. J lie cost of production was stated to be from 4s 6d to 5s po r bushel, all charges having gone up fully 100 per cent. It was decided to request that the price bo fixed at 6s f.o.b. It was also agreed to approach the Government with a view of its granting assistance to erect storage sheds, and on effort is to he made to obtain a reduction in the handling charges. It was further decided to ask the Government to place an embargo on Australian potatoes till the local price has reached £lO per ton. CATTLE FOR AUSTRALIA. FAMOUS SIRE SHIPPED. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 11. During the past few days (says the Dominion) many head of valuable pedigree Friesian cattle have been shipped to Australia by the Moeraki. Sixteen head were forwarded to the well-known South Australian breeders, Messrs Henry Collins and Co., Lucernedale. This consignment was the most valuable that has yet been sent forward to the Australian breeder, and the whole of the animals with one exception were drawn from the famous stud of Mr John Donald, of Westmere, Wanganui. The W r estmere cattle included the famous sire, Woodcrest Pietje Pontiac, which, although now 10 years of age, was sold at a great price. It would, however, be very difficult to estimate the value of this bull, as he has proved himself to be one of the greatest of living sires. Three of his daughters have records now which average 9161 b of butter-fat, and advice has just been received that one of his daughters, bred by Mr Donald and exported to South Australia, will in all probability break all the world's records for butter-fat production. This wonderful six-year-old cow has produced 15,01'V0 of milk, with an average test of 3.76, and 5641 b of butter-fat ia just over four months. As a heifer she produced 9331 b of fat in 365 days, and her owner is quite confident she is now capable of setting a new word’s record. Tlie existing world’s butter-fat record for all breeds is 13441 b, established by a Friesian cow owned by a State department of the Canadian Government. In addition to this valuable bull, some of his best daughters and granddaughters were also shipped forward to Mr Collins, and also the record-priced cow Stella De Kol. which was purchased at the Westmere sale for 535 guineas. These cattle were all selected and shipped by Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co., and there is no doubt that they are a remarkably good lot. Prior to shipment they were inspected by Mr W T . M. Singleton (Director of the Dairy Division) and others interested. RECENT SHIPMENT OF FAT CATTLE. Melbourne papers gave prominence to the sale of the recent shipment of cattle from New Zealand. The yards were crowded by butchers, graziers, drovers, dealers, and cattle enthusiasts in their hundreds, and the attendance has never been excelled except at show time. The 500 head which were up for sale by the 14 associated agents were the subject of much favourable comment. Among the expressions of approval heard were, “The best consignment ever landed here” ; “A Very even lot, well-bred, and most carefully selected.” The beasts, which were mostly Shorthorns and iierefords, with a few showing signs of dairy ancestors, were in excellent condition allowing for the effect of a seven days’ voyage, and they would have looked even better if they had been given a short spell. The animals were docile, in great contrast- to the wild station cattle of Australia. This was probably due to the fact that in toe North Island, where they were bred, tluv were fattened in smaller paddocks than are known in Australia. The consignment of 720 head was the biggest that ever arrived from New Zealand. One hundred head of cattle, valued at £2OOO, died on the voyage, but no doubt they were insured. The first lots of the day to be sold were three five-year-old Shorthorns, which were offered separately. These animals were fit for any show, and were much admired. The first, animal, which was started at £2B, quickly went to £45 10s —the highest price of the season. Trade lines brought from £27 to £lB, the average price being about £23 10s. It was afterwards ascertained tha? the caflle killed extra well, the beef being of very good quality, and on the average weighed 3001 b in excess of the butchers’ estimate. The hides were much heavier than those of Australian cattle. Other shipments will be made from the North Island. THE NORTH ISLAND. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The very heavy and almost continuous rains experienced in the North Island for several weeks past is having a had effect on pastures and in paddocks of limited size stock are mulching up the ground to the detriment of food. Ilay is now in really good demand, and those having stacks are finding the advantage of preparing for such emergencies. There have been some severe frosts in Hawke’s Bay, and in the middle

of last week there was a black frost. Stock generally are wintering well, but some ot them are having a hard time. Occasional lambs are appearing in practically all the sheep districts. HAWKE’S BAY WOOL SALES. hour wool sales are to be held in Napier during the 1923-24 season. the first lias been set down for Monday, December 6, the second lor Thursday, January 10, and the third for Friday, February 15, and fourth ior Monday, March 17. DESTIi L’Ci ION OF ROoKS. For several weeks past tne question as to whether rooks should be destroyed or not has been the subject of much uiscuss.on in Hawke s Bay, and a further step was taken last week when a deputation which waited upon the Hawke’s Bay county Council asked tout body to do something to protect the settlers from the depredations ot the birds. The Chairman said that the council had already taken steps to have rooks added to tne list ot injurious birds under the injurious Birds Act, and to have tne operation of part ot tue Act extended to tli.s county. Until they received a reply to tnat lrom the Minister the council could not take any action. A petition signed by 60 settlers of the Fernhill-iwyfoid district was handed m urging the necessity ot the destruction of the rooks. Alter discussing the matter fully the council dee.ded to call the attention ot tue Government, to the inadequacy ot tlie present Act, and to ask it to give the settlers the right to take steps to iorni associations lor ihe purpose ot exterminating or reducing tile rooks in the district. BLACKBERRY CURE. The eradication of blackberry pest has become a big problem in the Hawke’s Bay district, and one of the areas intected is tne Buketitiri reserve of the Hawke’s Bay County Council. At the monthly meeting of the council it was decided to plant i-inus nisignis, which it was stated was very effective in getting rid of the pest. MORTALITY AMONG CATTLE. The very wet season has had a bad effect upon tile grass, and young stock has not done at all well. In the Matamata district this is especially tne case, and unless the weather takes up really well the mortality among yearlings will be heavy. One farmer is reported to have lost 30 out of 60 yearlings, the cause of death being parasitic gastritis. DAIRYING AT WAIIII. Dairy operations at Waihi are continuing to afford general satisfaction among suppliers. If anyone fifteen or twenty years ago had prophesied that the wind-swept plains of the Waihi goldfield would be producing butter-fat he would have been considered a fit subject for a mental hospital, yet this great miracle has come to pass as a result of providing shelter and proper treatment of the barren-looking soii. At the annual meeting of the Waihi suppliers to the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., last week, very congratulatory remarks were made concerning the marked progress made by the company. It was announced that when final payments were made it was expected that suppliers would receive is 6d per lb for their butter-fat for the 1922-23 season. A certain amount of the season’s make of butter, representing about 25 per cent., was being held in cold storage pending an improvement in price, and the tendency appeared to be upwards. General satisfaction was expressed with the position by the following resolution being carried-—" That this meeting expresses its hgh appreciation of the work done by the directors and management of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company during the past year, and its continued confidence in both directors and management.” SWEDE ACREAGE COMPETITION. The result of the district swede acreage competition, arranged by the Taranaki Agricultural Society, is as follows. The scale of points on which the swedes were judged was one point for every ton of roots, 30 points for quality and soundness, and 20 points for cultivation freedom from weeds: — —Toko Settlers’ Association.—■ Cultiva-

Toko, as the result of its success this year wins tile trophy outright. GRADING OF CREAM. A very interesting address on the grading of cream for manufacture into butter was given by Mr J. Reekie, chief grader for the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Co. at the dairy instructors’ farm school at Ruakura last week. In view of the importance of this question and the part it plays in the manufactured article, the remarks made by Mr Reekie are of great moment, and should be read and inwardly digested by every supplier in the Dominion as well as the managers at the head of factories. The lecturer prefaced his remarks by showing it was impossible for factory managers to turn out a good uniform butter unless the raw product was good to begin with. The subject, of cream grading was one of the most debatable met with in the dairying industry. In the early days of New Zealand’s export, dairy factories simply rejected cream that was not considered to be of good quality, but it was felt that, the rejection of cream that had been brought long distances was too drastic a measure to employ As the industry developed and factories began to compete with each other, anything in the nature of raw product was accepted and paid for at a uniform rate. It was soon found that this state of things brought about a deterioration in the country’s finished product. Mr Reekie went on to discuss the groat improvement that followed the amalgamation of the South Auckland companies. A grading system was adopted, and the material was classed into three grades—namely, superfine, first, and second. A honns of Jkl was paid on all superfine cream (that which graded 91 points and over) above the price paid for first grade, which was cream that graded between 88 and 91 points. A penalty of 2d per lb was deducted for second grade cream, that which graded below 83 points. Mr Reekie said that before the amalgamation the average grade of the South Auckland cream was 89 points. In the

first year it rose to 90.5 points, the second year to 91.4, the third year to 91.54,,. and this year to 92.61. The quality of the manufactured article had improved from 60 per cent, superfine, 32 per cent, first grade, and 8 per cent, second grade four years ago to 87.76 per cent, superfine, 9.41 first grade, and 2.83 per cent, second for the current season. Two graders, working throughout the season, had graded 22,000 samples, and had classed 80 per cent of the cream they had handled superfine, 174 per cent, first grade, and 24 per cent, second. The company recently received a large order for butter which had to be got ready in four clays. Oho factory could not deal with the order, and three factories were employed to manufacture the butter required. When the grade notes came back from the cool stores it was found that the output of two of the factories had been graded 93 points, and the output of the third 934 points. 'I his performance, said Mr Reekie, spoke well for the uniformity and efficiency of the grading system. it. was also significant that for the first time in New Zealand’s history New Zealand butter had beaten the Danish butter for price on the London market. Reports received frem various parts of the world commented very favourably on the quality of New Zealand produce. New Zealand casein was regarded as the purest in the world, while the dried milk was also held in very high estimation by consumers. Mr Reekie went on to speak of seme of the causes of second grade cream, and he gave a number of instances that had come under his personal notice. One was the case of a supplier who kept his cans, machines, and shed particularly clean. The trouble was ultimately found in bad fermentation, which had originated in the tubes of his machine. The supplier put the tubes into boiling water, and thereafter he had no trouble with the ouality of his cream. Considerable trouble had been experienced at the Waitoa butter factory, and a large quantity of milk that was delivered twice daily was classed first and second grade. The bacteria count was applied in tlie presence of farmers, who had expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the grading, and in 1032 cases out of 1050 the bacteriological examination supported the opinion of the graders. The suppliers began to look on tlieir farms for the trouble, and it was not long before a decided improvement in the quality of cream received was noted. Mr Reekie said that a large proportion of defective cream was due to bad bacteria. SHEEP FARMERS AND LAND TAX. Large numbers of farmers have received notices under section 6 of the Land and Income Tax Act, 1920, the effect of which is that their assessment for land tax is increased by 50 per cent. Section 6 defines unimproved land as land in which there are not improvements of a value equal to £1 an acre or one-third of the unimproved value, whichever is the less and which, in the opinion of the Commissioner, it is reasonable should have been improved to that extent If this assessment is maintained (he burden of the land (ax will necessarily become heavier (ban ever upon the farmers affected. On July 4 the Commissioner of Taxes, at the request of the New Zealand Sheep Owners’ Federation, attended the annual meeting of the Federation Council and explained the meaning of the Act and his policy as Commissioner. He stated that notices of assessment had been given in all cases where the figures showed that improvements were not in accordance with section 6- It was then open to the taxpayer to write and state the facts of his case, and each case would lie dealt with on its merits. The Commissioner stated that ho fully recognised that a great deal of pastoral country could not be improved with advantage to the extent of £1 an acre and that this was so especially in the pastoral country in Canterbury and Otago, where the areas wore in some cases large but the quality of the land poor. It was

pointed out to the Commissioner that as a ride the improvements effected far exceeded the figure shown in tho valuation roll, anc< the Commissioner replied that if owners woidd supply evidence to that effect tho same would be given consideration. The Commissioner stated that he would give careful consideration to all cases where owners were of opinion that their properties were sufficiently improved. The President (Mr H. L). Ac! and) thanked the Commissioner for the very fair way in which he had stated the position and for his fair and equitable intentions in administering the Act. FARMERS’~UNION. OTAGO PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the Otago Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held at the office of the secretary, Mr If. Mitchell, on Thursday morning. Ihe president, Mr E. H. Murney, presided over a somewhat smaller attendance than usual. With reference to the remit from the union, that contagious mammitis be made a notifiable disease a reply was received from the Dominion Executive that it had been decided to take no action as (1) the veterinary staff would have to be considerably increased if all udder troubles had to be investigated, and (2) it would be diffifult for a dairy farmer to report contagious mammitis as its determination was tho work of an expert. —Mr J. Christie moved that the matter be pursued further as some means out to be found for preventing the spread of contagious mammitis, but this was not seconded, and the matter was allowed to drop. The secretary was authorised to attend the conference of Farmers’ Union secretaries, to lie held in Wellington shortly. The reply from the Railway Department regretting that it could not run the special train from Ranfurly to Burnside and baok on sale days asked by the Maniototo branch was received. It was stated that the reply was unsatisfactory to Central Otago farmers, and that a petition was now being circulated among them. Members expressed the view that it was ridiculous that residents up the Central line had to spend three days in order to visit Dunedin. The executive decided to support vigoi ously the request of the Maniototo branch. Mr Craig moved —“That the executive have nothing to do with the Wheat Control Board, but that the law of supply and demand be allowed to operate. The less they had to do with control the better.” Air Herbert seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. With reference to the importation of chaff from Australia, Mr Christie reported that inquiries indicated that the New Zea- * land farmer wa3 sufficiently protected by freight and import duties. The Waitahuna branch wrote complaining of the introduction of blueberry and whortleberry into the dominion as these were considered detrimental to grazing lands.—The matter was referred to the Minister of Agriculture. It was decided to confirm the ment of Mr A. Fraser as a life member of the Lawrence branch of the union. It was decided to send a complaint as to charges and allowances made for sacks by the stock agents to the Stock Agents’ Association for consideration. The executive placed on record its high appreciation of the work of the Agricultural Department and its officers in organising and conducting the Farm School prior to the Winter Show. Those who attended gleaned much valuable information which should prove of great benefit on the farm. Members expressed their great appreciation of the school. Tire question of organising the union in the Centra] Otago area was discussed, and the president and vice-president and Messrs Craig, Waite, and Hadfield were requested to arrange a tour of the district in the month of August. SHEEP OWNERS AND FARMERS. ANNUAL MEETING. The New Zealand Slieepowners and Farmers' Federation annual meeting was held on the 4th irist. in the Farmers’ Institute Building, Wellington. There were present: Messrs 11. D. Acland, president (Christchurch), H. Gascoyne (Hawke’s Bay), E. Hay (Pigeon Bay), W. G. Sherratt (Gisborne), 11. B. Kells, C. Prime \tsapier), W. Pollard (Renwick). R. Wanden, L. A. Rutherford (Woodgrove), D. W. Westenra. James Begg (Dunedin), D. D. Alacdonald (Otago), J. D. King. Hugh Rlorison (Greytown), D. Hebenton (Masterton), and Colonel J. C. Nichols (Dunedin). The annual report stated that the operations of the Meat Export Control Board had undoubtedly been in the best interests of sheepowners, and, provided a policy of caution and watchfulness of the interests of meat exporters was continued, in the same wav as during the past year, the executive had no doubt the board would continue to be of very great benefit. There was still plenty of useful work to be done m the direction of arranging for improved methods of marketing, seeking out new markets and expansion of demand for products abroad, lowering of charges, assistance in regularity of shipping, etc. From the landiiolder s point of view the producer hart to bear a much greater load of taxa-

lion than had the companies, who were only taxed upon income, and should no income be earned their capital remained intact. That was not the case with the producer. The abolition of the super-tax was advocated. The report recognised the difficulties to be overcome in the establishment of an agricultural bank, and while sympathising with the leaders of the movement in their endeavours to obtain cheaper money, ielt there could be no short cut to success as regatds the operations of the man on tho land. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the President said that farmers were labouring under great injustice owing to the present system of taxation, which constituted an annual levy on capital, even when farmers were losing heavily. Pie expressed the opinion that the difficulties of farmers with regard to finance at the present time were largely owing to the privileged position held by and the preferential treatment given to certain classes of investment—namely, local body debentures and tax-free war loans, — and also to the disabilities cast upon mortgagees by the Alortgages Extension Act and the Land and Income l ax Act. He claimed that the policy advocated by the federation at the time of the establishment of wheat potd had been found to be the tally practical one for the Meat Board to follow. He was emphatic on the point tnal the classes in the Bill dealing with the compulsory sale of meat could never be successfully put into operation. Compulsion , ac . an ,y time was entirety anathema to the Britisner, and the compulsory clauses of tne Bill would be a potential source of danger should certain possible political conditions arise. He was of opinion that sheep-owners might look with confidence to tne future, provided the purchasing power of our markets could be maintained, and some measure of relief from oppressive taxation be given. seconding the motion Mr J. Begg (Utago) expressed satisfaction at the result at the federation’s efforts in reference to a 6 ® xiensl °ns of leases of Crown lands in boutniand. He suggested that endowment lands should also be included in the provisions covering Crown leaseholds, and urged that every effort should be made to this end. fie did not agree with the principle laid down in the suggested agricultural bank as this would result in a further acldiUon to the existing “aristocracy” of capital, which was already far too large. It should be the duty of the federation to work for the abolition of tax-free loans, no matter tor what purpose even .including those to local bodies, as the effebt was to make it increasingly hard for the farmers to raise money on mortgage. adopted reP ° rt and balance sil eet were —Election of Officers.— A 1 1 ’ D . Acland was unanimously reelected president for the ensuing year High f.HxT 0 'a 1 ?" Z aS ex P ressed by Mr Gasgoyne Adand 3 services on behalf of sueepovvners over a long period of years. This " Mr h H A V endorsed b y all present, dent Gasgoyne was re-elected vice-presi-Mr Hay was re-elected hon. treasurer ai ? d Mr Arnaud MKellar, F.pTnZ (Chnstchurch) was reappointed auditor. t was decided to recommend that the • anous branches of the federation work in conjunction with the Farmers’ Union province executives, with a view to ensuring fhn eoi ' o, . l °f suitable men on the SelectCe ° f the Meat Pool Board dismtto to m b 00 'V neCh ,° n , with (he shearers’ Court to ffi,v te hCar : V y the Arbitration Court to-day, were dealt with in commit(iuesUon^f^StfwT a f P , ointed *° i: ito the /her .? f St ?, Act amendment reported possible moment a(j the earliest Wlfihn id *T ' to ruri with a r ™ to purchase of rabbit-netting, . period” (°ir ““ &d-‘°Sf o| . ™ s ? O,M th “ «■« arfs'lrK** nuit m ihe handling, of meat from lighters vised S —After A™ r '° ads - teads should be de! uvr Vf i? r ussion it wqs resolved that to th« at Boards attention should be drawn u«Sd"S“"’„,x H Jarsr ot ™ -v« . Slr Walter Buchanan addressed tho meet HI ? ,1 11 th ® subject of shipping freights the following resolution was passed--“ That die council expresses its appreciation of the efforts of Sir Walter Buchanan to re- "■ •«>•**«-«... PRODUCERS’ SHIPPING LINE. MR LYSNAR’S ADVOCACY. STAB I LISING FREIGHTS. (I* rom Oub Own Correspondent.) W ELLINGTON, July 12. Speaking in the House of Representatives to-day, Mr W. D. Lysnar (member for Gisborne) said the money saved to the producers by Messrs Scales (Ltd.) in bringing ships to this country would represent many millions—more than sufficient to pay for the ships required by producers 2»j times over. A short time ago, he added, Messrs Scales brought in two boats for wool, and this meant an immediate drop in wool freights of 11s per bale. That was a quarter of a million straight away in one bit. At the present rate of freight a 10,000 ton ship in the trade would pay with a oneway loading and would have from £14,000 to £15,000 towards interest on capital. Mr Lysnar said he had heard the Prime Minister talking about the losses made by State shipping lines in other countries. That gave no indication of what might be done in New Zealand. What the producers 6hould do was to secure about six ships so that they could have a monthly service between England and New Zealand. These boats could not, of course, do all that was requited, but their appearance would stabilise freights and would lead to a positive knowledge of what should be charged by shipping companies. Six suitable ships could be got at a cost of under £1,000,000. ft would not bo long before that sum would be saved in freights, and the producers

would then have the six ships up their sleeves. If ihev had to tie up their ships in Wellington Harbour it would not matter so long as the shipping companies carried their produce at reasonable rates, said Mr Lysnar, who described the project as the best insurance producers could have, arid the best thing for the dominions generally. “I do not approve of a State shipping line,” ha said emphatically, “but I heartily approve of a producers’ shipping scheme.” Air Lysnar commented favourably on a former producers’ shipping scheme, and gave details of the apportionment of the capital proposed. The suggested allotment of capital was as under : Meat and wool industry £150.000 Dairy companies 72.500 Freezing companies ... ... ... 25.500 Flax millers 10.000 Total £T 7,000 “I approve of everything in the producers’ scheme except the proposal for the State contribution,” said Air Lysnar. “While I do not think a Government contribution is necessary, I think the Government should introduce legislation to secure to the State authority to advance in one sum as much as would be raised by the producers in four years, recovering their advance in that period. Until such a thing is done the farmers, to my mind, will be the milch cow of the shipping companies of the world.” OUR CANTERBURY AGRICUL* IURAL BUDGET. (Fbom Oub Own Correspondent.) SEVERE WINTER WEATHER. Some of the coldest weather of the winter has been compressed into the past week. Leaden skies, black frosts, and drizzling rains have been the order of the days, and in consequence farm work is more or less at a standstill. The frosts have not been severe, blit the day temperatures have been lower than usual, and there are many that are giving to this winter the palm for the most severe for the past half dozen years. The fogs that have been svere, but the day The fogs that have been experienced have probably been the worst feature of the season. Although feed is short Ihe prices are excellent tor store stock, and if it had not been for thd failure of the turnips in many of the most important sheep-fattening districts it is certain that very high prices would have ruled in this province for any class of store stock. On present appearances farmers in the southern provinces that have turnips and can carry we! hers over until September should find a lucrative market for them in the early spring. Good wethers at the present time are commanding better than 7d a pound, and there is every prospect of this rate being improved upon as the spring approaches, and the rates will rule high until the wethers off the shears commence to come on the market in October, j MUTTON PRICES SOAR. The stock markets this week were excellent from the point of view of the vendor with the exception again of beef. At Addington fat cattle fell away in price, due to the verv large number that was forward. No less than 522 head of fat cattle were offered, and if it had not been that there was some delay in the arrival of a consignment at the saleyards siding from the ferry steamer the yarding would have been even more than this. Slaughterings at the city abattoir for June show that. 1496 head of cattle were dealt with at the abattoir, so that at this rate the yardings of late have been too heavy. At the preceding sale there were more than 400 head sold. —Good Store .Sheep Sale. — With the exception of wethers, there was just as keen a demand as ever for store sheep at Addington this week. Many good lines of hoggets were sold, -and they went off to a very firm demand at prices that are well up to recent sales, and for some of the crossbred ewe hoggets values were reached that set Ihe record for this class this season. A fine draft cl 145 sold on account of Mr T. Carter (Greenpark) made 29s 6d. Another pen sold at 28s Bd. Ihe higher-priced lot were well 'grown, but fairly strong in the wool, hut would maae a fine line of two-tooth ewes in the autumn. Many other pens of hoggets were out of the ordinary. A draft sold on account of Mr W. 11l Turner (Waikari) made 275. They were halfbred ewes, but not particularly well grown. An outstanding pen of Corriedole wether lambs, bred at Whiterock Alains by Air \Y. Mackintosh, made 24s 3d. They were sold on account of a Loburn grazier. The wethers that were forward mainly lacked condition, and the sorts that would not kill shortly were not in such keen demand as was the ease at the two previous sales when there was more competition from South Canterbury. W hat were well forward made good money, but the others were at times inclined to dragv Only one pen of ewes that were out of the ordinary were submitted This was a draft of Romney that sold at 37s 6d. They had sound mouths and showed well in lamb.

SHEEP THROUGH THE TUNNEL. The first line of sheep that have been consigned to Addington bv rail direct from the West Coast, were sold at Addington on Wednesday. They were brought, through the tunnel and were landed in the saleyards in a very fresh condition considering the journey. This will mean that in the future the untrucking at Otira and the drive over Arthur’s Pass with the rotrucking at the Pass wall not be necessary. This is a big consideration for stock owners on the Coast, though the full effect of it will not be apparent until the coming lamb season, when the sheep farmers of the. West Coast will be in rail communication with the freezing works in this province. The lambs mentioned were on account of Air R. A. Harcourt (Koiterangi), and were railed from Hokitika. On the other hand the fat sheep that are now being purchased in Ihe Addington yards by the butchers of the West Coast will be railed straight through to the slaughter houses on the other side of the ranges. In consequence they should be landed in much better condition than under the old method c>f transport. FAT SHEEP BOOM. Very high prices indeed were paid for the fast sheep at the Addington saleyards on Wednesday, and prices on an over-all basis were quite exceptional. For wethers the butchers that wanted the best had to pay substantially better than 7ad a lb, and some odd lines must have cost close to Bd.

Ewes sold at prices that would work out at 6|d a lb for the best, and butchers were particularly keen to buy sheep of this sex. Some of the exceptionally well finished sheep made high prices. The best line of wethers was sold on account of Mr Angus M‘Kay (Methven), 54 making from 40s to 45 s 6d, the latter for a pen of six. The best ewe price went to Air T. H. Stephens (Irwell), who sold 17 at from 29s Id to 39s 9d, there being six in the top pen. The previous best figure for ewes was 39s 3d paid at the previous sale for a pen sold by Air H. G. Cross (Oxford). A pen of 13 ewes on account of Air E. Goss (Tinwald) realised 395. DECLINE IN BEEF. From 15s to £1 a head would compass the fall in the value of beef. A particularly line line from the North Island missed the market, as previously stated, and with another lot that it was not intended to offer from the same part, were held for the next sale. Several consignments sent up by southern auctioneering firms were acid. A nice draft of 10 heifers made from £7 7s 6d to £9 12s 6d. They were trucked up from Southland. A line of Otago steers made £lO 2s 6d, and a consignment of cows from £7 to £9. The best pair of a consignment of steers on account of Mr J. R. Thacker (Okains Bay) made £l7 ss. MAORIS AND DAIRYING. IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. OPOTIKI, .July 13. Important proposals enabling Maoris living on the coast between Opotiki and Cape Runaway to engage in dairying are now under consideration by the Native Land Court. It is proposed to incorporate Native blocks leased to Europeans. In the case of Raukokore Natives, it is proposed to borrow £30,000, the rents to be security for interest and sinking fund. Portion of this capital will he used in the direction arid equipment of a dairy factory; the remainder will be lent on mortgage to Natives on freehold security for the purchase of cows, dairy utensils, and the improvement of pastures. The interest and sinking fund will be deducted Irom the dairy cheques. A similar scheme is proposed in the case of the Tekaka Natives. It was intimated to the court that the Raukokore land was carrying 1500 cows; Tekaka and Omaio, 1000. There are also other areas of good land nearer Opotiki. A modest estimate of the total number of cows that could be carried by tho land on the coast occupied by Natives is 3000. The Government is now considering reresentaptions to expedite the construction of a coast road and to erect a bridge over the Alotu River. CANTERBURY CRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET. (Lyttelton Times, July 13.) The much-talked-of shipment of Tasmanian potatoes has .now arrived at Auckland, and it consists not of 300 tons, but of 905 sacks, equal to 70 to 75 tons, the sacks being smaller than the ones in use in New Zealand. Further, it is reported that the quality is inferior to that of G'anterburv whites. The Tasmanian potatoes are Scotias, not a good eating variety. A report from Auckland states that the Tasmanian potatoes are quoted at 13s per cwt, and Canterbury whites at 12s. However, if the Tasmanian tubers are inferior in quality to the Canterbury, then it does not seem possible that they will command more money than the Canterbury grown. It is reported that the Auckland merchants, who imported the potatoes, stood to lose money on them —the shipment being purely in the nature of a trial —so that if they lose more money on account of the quality of the potatoes then it is not likely that they wiil be anxious to repeat the, experiment. In any case potatoes are high-priced in Australia to-day, and it is extremely unlikely that they could be imported now at. the price of the Tasmanian shipment. It looks, therefore, as if Canterbury growers have nothing to fear from imported potatoes, and that an embargo will be unnecessary this year. Auckland merchants are still trying

to talk the potato market down, and the report from Auckland that potatoes are showing an easing tendency is not regarded very seriously by local merch®i,s. Just at present not many inquiries are being received from Auckland for potatoes, but it is expected that by the beginning of next month, when the bulk of the rather large stocks at present held in Auckland should have gone into consumption, Auckland merchants will again be inquiring for potatoes. The result may be an improvement in prices. At least many farmers appear to think so, for they are holding their potatoes firmly, and not many’ are coming in from the country. Tne s.s. Wingalui, which was expected to sail for Auckland this week-end, has been delayed by the wet weather down south, and it will probably be next Tuesday or Wednesday before she leaves Lyttelton for Auckland. The s.s. Kaitangata, which brought over the Tasmanian potatoes, also brought a quantity of Australian chaff, but this is re* ported to be of poor quality. 'lhe quality of the Australian chaff is shown by art Auckland report, which slates that Canter* bury chaff is quoted at 11s per cwt, and Australian at 9s 6d. Wheat, both milling and fowl, is in -ood demand at present. ! In fact, at the present time milling wheat is in such good demand that millers are accepting lines that earlier in the ceason they would have regarded as a good deal undergrade. The acceptance of this undergrade wheat by the millers is rendering the supplies of fowl wheat rather short. Oats and chaff are both dull at late ra(e% and business in seeds is also quiet. Following are quotations for produce to be paid to farmers at country stations, free of commission, sacks extra, except where otherwise stated: — Milling Wheat.—Tuscan, 5s 2d per bushel, f.o.b. ; Hunters, 5s 4d ; Pearl. 5 s 6d. Fowl Wheat. —New season’s, 3s to 4s 6d per bushel. Oats. —-Cartons, 2s 7d to 2s 8d per bushel; Algerians, 2s 6d to 3s; Duns, 2s fid to 3s. Chaff.—Up to £4 15s per ton. Potatoes. —£7 10.- to £8 per ton. White Clover. —lOd to Is per lb. lied Clover. —lOd to lid per lb. Perennial Ryegrass.—4s 9d to 5s 3d per bushel. Italian Ryegrass.—4s 9d to 5s 3d per bushel. Partridge Peas. —5s 6d to 6s 9d per bushel. Cocksfoot.—4ijcl to 5d per lb. Barley.—New season’s malting. 4s 6d to 5s per bushel; old season’s, 3s 6d to 4s 3d per bushel. Cape Barley.—Up to 3s per bushel. Linseed. —Up to £l6 10s per ton. Flour. —2001 b sacks, £ls 10s; 1001 b bags, £l6 10s; 501 b bags, £l7; 251 b bags, £l7 10s; all at per ton f.o.b. Lyttelton, Timaru, and Oamaru. Bran. —£5 per ton, f.o.b. southern porta. Pollard. —£7 per ton, f.o.b. southern ports. SHEARERS’ AWARD. LOCAL OR DOMINION? BLENHEIM, July 11. Ihe Arbitration Court considered an application by the Marlborough Shearers’ Shod Hands’ Union for an award covering rates of pay, bonuses, etc., for shearers for the coming season. Mr C. Grayndler represented the union, and Messrs 11. Warden and W. H. Nicholson the employers. The union claimed a 44-hour week, with rates of pay on the following scale:—(a) The rates for shearing by hand not less than £1 10s per 100, with rations and two pairs of shears for each 700 sheep; one pair per 700 sheep when long wools' are being shorn. (b) The rate for shearing by machine not less than £1 10s per 100 sheep, with rations. (c) The above rates to be increased by 5s per 100 when shearing merinos. (d) The rate for shearing lambs not less than £1 10s per 100, with rations. (This clause was agreed to at Ihe sitting of tho Conciliation Council.) (f) 'lhe rates for stud sheep to be double tits ordinary rate. After hearing the evidence liis Honor said it was agreed in Wellington that no local awards should be decided upon till the court had gone os far as Christchurch and Otago. The question could then he decided

whether the parties would be prepared to l take a local award or a dominion award. A further opportunity would be given to discuss the award then. In the meantime the court would not deal with the shearing dispute in the Auckland district. HERD TESTING. A G(j REG A TE A SSOCTATION RECOR DS FACTORY RETURNS. Herd-testing association members often ask why association records, as a rule, show a greater aggregate amount of butler fat than the actual factory returns, and in this article an endeavour is made to outline some of the chief causes of the difference. Jn the first place it may he pointed out that the comparison in question is totally unfair, and rather tends to show a lack of understanding of the working of I he Bystem on the part of the farmer concerned. When one considers that the association j records are ‘lie result ofr an average; taken from two days’ production in every 30, And that conditions are all in favour of

j this being on the high side, it is no surprise that the figures recorded are often greater than the actual return. It must be understood, however, that this can make no difference to the value of such figures in culling, as they must be taken on a comparative basis, which, providing each cove receives the same treatment, is of value even if the records are considerably higher than the amount of butter-fat actually produced. This has been amply demonstrated, and I have no hesitation in asserting that the association figures provide a safe and reliable basis for culling. Causes of Discrepancy.— Some of the causes of the discrepancy referred to arc as follows: Milk fed to calves and used by household: In the early part of the season tins is fairly considerable, and takes a material amount of fat away from the factory returns while being credited to the association records. There is in this way a difference set up between the two returns more or less throughout the season. Loss of fat in separation: Tn some cases this loss is considerable, and in all cases

there is some. I would suggest to all farmers the advisability of having separated milk tested at intervals during the year. Loss of fat in transit of cream: In some cases this also is considerable, especially where the cream supplied is of a thin consistency and churns in transit to the factory. Cream used for buttermaking on the farm : Where this is the practice a considerable difference is made between the two returns —to the credit of the association and debit of the factory return. Carelessness in sampling: Care in this direction is very important if the work is to be well done, and the milk must be thoroughly stirred before sampling. Discrepancies also occur in connection with damage received by samples in transit to the factory. Occasionally farmers check, or think they a.re checking, this class of testing by placing the milk from one cow in two or more bottles, again showing how little farmers in general know of the damage samples may receive in transit, the necessity for careful sampling, and the consistency of milk and its relation to testing. The butter-fat in milk is suspended in the serurn in the shape of small globules,

and this suspension is often broken by the snaking samples receive in transit, especially in hot weather, when milk expands. Once this happens the fat floats on the top of the serum as an oil, and usually it is difficult to make a correct test. Other variations in the test of two samples of the same milk may occur in the leakage of fat in transit, the absorption of fat in corks, the churning of samples on their way to the factory, and irregular and careless sampling on the farm. Variations in general conditions: Factory returns embody all variations in weather conditions, feeding conditions, and weights of milk and tests, while the association records as a rule are not so handicapped. This is usually the main cause of (he difference between the t wo returns. Hie factory has to take all these variations as they come, while, generally speaking, the association 1 coords are affected by only a comparatively small proportion, owing to the latter samples being taken on only two days in the month, as compared with 30 in the case of the factory. It is well known that cows (especially those of a nervous temperament) will rise and fall in their tests from day to day to a very great extent. This also applies to the milk flow —in some cases a change of milker or feed or weather conditions being sufficient to cause a large variation in’production. This being the case it is not surprising that in some periods the figures may be very much in favour of the. association. This is the more likely seeing that most, farmers appear to wait for good weather and feeding conditions before taking their two days’ samples for the association. Sampling not representative: A fully representative sample can only be obtained when the weights of milk are the same for each sampling, unless the size of the sample is varied according to the variation in the weight of milk. This, again, is usually in favour of the association. The milking hours on most farms are so arranged that cows produce more milk at the morning than at the evening milking, and most cows show a greater percentage of butter-fat at the evening milking than in the morning. This means that where the same amount of milk is sampled from each milking, and the weight of milk differs, the test, received will usually be higher than it should be, owing to a proportionately greater amount being taken from the higher testing evening milk. Variations from normal in the milk: Allowance must, of course, be made for these variations, especially when the tests are rising. They are usually in favour of the association returns. Retrospective records: iProviding tne cow has been in milk less than 100 days of the end of the period in which she was first tested, the- association record is made retrospective to calving date. This means that a cow calling in the late winter and being tested for the first time in the spring, when there was a go-od flush of milk, would get more fat to her credit for that period than she had actually produced. 'lbis can be overcome by commencing the test of each cow as soon as possible after she calves, and it is. important that this should be done. The Sound Basis for Culling.— When judging the merits of individual cows for factory dairying it is necessary to clo so on their butter-fat production for the. season, not on the quantity of milk produced, and not on the test. The latter is only the percentage of fat in a given quantity of milk, and is likely to fluctuate considerably. Farmers very often make the mistake of judging their cows on their tests, and as this is usually misleading good cows have sometimes been culled while poor ones were retained in the herd. A sound basis and an accurate conclusion on which to cull can only be obtained by taking the amount of butter-fat produced by tire cow for the season, in conjunction with her age and the number of days she has been in milk. When this is clone, and the causes of discrepancy just enumerated are appreciated farmers will realise that if they do their part of the work conscientiously the association will do its part towards providing safe and reliable bns s tor culling. V . e*. Batt, Journal of Agriculture. MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD first annual report. AYe have receive*! from 1 he New Zealand Meat Producers’ Beard its first annual report and statement of accounts for the period from March 14, 1922, on which date the first meeting of the board was held, to June 30, 1023. During this period the board held 25 meetings, extending over 41 days, exclusive of travelling, and in addition the executive met on six occasions. Referring to the confusion which had been caused by a multiplicity of works, and to its decision to fix the size of shipping parcels of mutton and lamb at a workable minimum of 300 carcases, the board expresses its belief that this regulation will reduce the number of shipping parcels by about 75 per cent., and will result i ot only in a very great improvement in the condition in which New Zealand meat is discharged, but will also bo reflected in better prices being obtained and a reduction in freight rates and insurance when the savings effected in handling charges are realised during a season’s operations. On the subject of grading the board says : New Zealand mutton and lamb Holds a unique position in the world’s meat markets, a position which has not been challenged by any other country; but we cannot afford to have our supreme position threatened by competitors who are increasing the quantity and quality of their mutton and lamb exports. Further, we must aim to give an unchallengeable guarantee that the whole of the huge quantity of frozen meat sold by New Zealand on the world’s markets is strictly according to grade specified, and thus inspire confidence" in the buyer. It is this confidence l which will enable the meat to be sold in advance and not after inspection and delivery of documents, with the accompanying possibility nf a quality claim with its many abuses. Tf this can be accomplished and the New Zealand grading accepted as final at the other end, it will mean many thousands of pounds to the meat : producers of the dominion. The results of the negotiations for a reduction in shipping freights, handling and freezing charges, and railway tariff are fully recorded in the report. The board strongly associates itself with {he policy of Imperial preference and the ideal of making the Empire self-supporting in all essential commodities. As it is strongly of the opinion that special advertising of New Zealand lamb and mutton throughout Great Britain should be undertaken. the newly appointed London manager (who has recently left New Zealand to take up his new position) has received instructions from it on this matter. The • London office of the hoard has been closely watching the question of the retailing of New Zealand, meat in Great Britain, particularly with a view to ensuring that meat that is sold as <r New Zealand” shall in every case be genuine New Zealand meat, and

steps have already been taken t-o initiate prosecutions against unreliable retailers who have been detected selling an inferior article as ‘‘ New Zealand.” The board has under consideration further proposals with a view 1 1 effectively safeguarding New Zealand’s good name in the meat trade in this respect. The board reports that it is fully seized with the importance of extending our markets abroad where tariffs and other conditions permit. It lias obtained information as to the possibilities of markets in tho East, more particularly for beef, but at present the prospects for a profitable trade with such countries as China and Japan aro not bright. The general manager of tho hoard was recently instructed to proceed to South America with the object of inquiring into and obtaining information regarding the conditions of the frozen meat trade. Tho shipments of mutton and Jamb from South America during tho past two years have been abnormal. Whether South America can maintain or increase these shipments of lamb and mutton is of vital importance to tho New Zealand producers. In conclusion, the board expresses the opinion that the meat producers of the dominion will agree that its existence has been and is a most effective insurance policy against any actions directed, against tho farmers’ interests. It should be remembered that the board’s work has been all new; it was blazing a trail and has had to feci its way as it went, but it can be depended upon to treat every problem in a businesslike way. Already it has carried out important and far-reaching reforms which cannot fail to bring profit to the producers and to tho dominion as a whole. The board would emphasise that much which lias so far been achieved could not have been accomplished without the existence of the compulsoiy clauses of the Statute. The immensity of the board's responsibilities in regard to tho control of the whole of the frozen meat exported from New Zealand can be best realised when it is stated that such produce represented 52.88 per cent, of the mutton and lamb which required to be imported into the United Kingdom during the year 1922 to feed tha millions of people who inhabit our Mother Country—and in 1921 the percentage was no less than 66.25. The statement of accounts shows that the income totalled £ 12,553, this being made up of the levy on meat exported (less cost of collection!, £42,117 and interest on investments £436. The excess of income over expenditure was £24,385. Expenses of management absorbed £10,917, of which £0336 is represented by head office expenses and £4OBI by expenses in London. Salaries at the head office absorbed £4025 and in London £2242. Expenses of meetings amounted to £3817, of which £2606 is accounted for by members’ honoraria and £l2ll by members' travelling expenses. The vice-chairman's visit to England and the United States cost £867, this being a separate item in the statement of accounts. The supervision of grading and of loading steamers cost £IBSB and the Advisory Committee’s expenses totalled £287 ICRICULTURAL AND PAS7GRAI, NEWS. With tho object of encouraging the grain growers of Southland to take a live interest in producing first-class crops of both wheat and oats, Messrs Fleming and Company, Ltd., are offering prizes for both wheat (three classes) and oats, says an exchange. The offer is a very attractive one. and farmers should take steps to ascertain the conditions of competition. The prize money amounts to £2OO cash. The competitors must sow a certain minimum area to be eligible. That the Slate should offer a reward of £50.000 for the discovery of a scientific method of effectively destroying rabbits is the recommendation of the Pastures Protection Board at Singleton. New South Wales. One member of the hoard said that if any man could solve the problem of destroying the rabbit pest he would deserve £1,000.000. If rabbits went on increasing, he said, they would destroy the wool industry. It w : as resolved to ask all pastures protection boards to support the request for a reward for the discovery of effective treatment. The fat cattle market (says the Otago Daily Times of Monday) is attracting some at present, and some peculiar features have been revealed during the past week. The fact that last Wednesday’s yarding at Burnside was a small one indicated that cattle were scare in ()tago and Southland, and also that farmers and graziers are firm holders. Usually at this time of the year fat cattle are sold forward to butchers, but to-day no transactions forward are being recorded. Neither are holders of fat cattle prepared to sell privately for immidate delivery except at high prices, the figure generally asked being in the vicinity of 40s per lOCib. Prices ruling- at Burnside last Wednesday uo not justify this figure, as, despite a short market, values only touched 30s. Vendors’ confidence in the market would not appear to be justified by prices ruling elsewhere than in Otago and Southland. For instance, at Addington on Wednesday last, 522 head of fat cattle were yarded, and medium quality beef brought on an average of 225, a few- pens of prime bullocks realising uo to 30s. A line of SO nice bullocks from the North Island arrived that morning by the ferry steamer just too late for the sale, otherwise prime ox beef would doubtless have depreciated in value. Christchurch butchers are apparently buying extensively in the north, one butcher there having landed two lines —one of 100 and another of 120 —within the past fortnight. It is understood that butchers in Otago are also inquiring as to the possibilities of buying fat cattle in the North Island, and it is quite on the cards that a trade will be opened up with a view to relieving the present scarcity in Otago. A protest regarding the harsh dipping of stud merino sheep at Dunedin was made by Marlborough importers, and forwarded to the district superintendent at Dunedin (says a Blenheim Press Association message). A reply was received, stating that the sheep arrived from Bluff on the Canadian Constructor, which was an unclean ship. Some of the sheep were found to be infected with maggots, and were treated under quarantine regulations. The sheep were lightly dipped and carefully handled. A prominent Taranaki land agent, in conversation with a News representative, alluded to the difficulty of selling land in Taranaki these days. Vendors, he said, have too high an idea of the value of their properties, probably because they have themselves paid too high a price for them. They should, however, face the facts. Butter and cheese are not likely to produce in the future more than Is 6d per lb, butter-

fat, perhaps. lower than this. Farmers, therefore, must revise their ideas of land values accordingly. Gone entirely are the days when farm land reached £IOO an acre. The land agent expressed his candid belief that the best land in the province is not worth more than £75 per acre, and he would be sorry to recommend a client to pay more for the pick of the country. The real value of the bulk of it was not more than £SO per acre. The sooner vendors appreciated this fact the better for them and those anxious to buy and make a “do - ’ of their operations. Considerable mortality is reported among young cattle throughout the Matamata district owing to the continued wet weather. The yield per acre of wheat grown in Taranaki last season was 22.20 bushels, and of oats 33.98, the average for New Zealand being 32.91 and 40.09 per acre, showing the unsuitability of Taranaki in a wot season like wo have had for cereal growing. In grass and root-growing, however, Taranaki more than holds it own. The great number of daijy cattle to be seen in different parts of the North Island in comparison with the number in Canterbury impressed an Ashburton resident who paid a visit to the north recently (relates the Guardian). It was apparent, too, that the northern dairy farmer naid more attention to breed than the average Canterbury man. In the north most of the dairy farmers concentrated on one or two particular breeds, some on one only. On the other hand, the local man had a very mixed herd. Considerably more attention was being paid by the North Islander to the development of the herd in order to increase the producing capacity than was the case before. * LONDON WOOL SALES. RAW MATERIAL STILL DEARER THAN ITS PRODUCTS. CPaoii Ovn Special Correspondent.! LONDON. May 10. Another week of remarkable activity has characterised the sales in Coleman street, and the end is drawing near with values at the highest point. One or two nights low crossbreds have hardly made the extreme prices seen during the earlier part of the series, but any ease is negligible, and even in low crossbreds prices are at least Id to l£d per lb too high for Bradford topmakers to get back their own when the wool has been combed. That is the record from top to bottom of the list of qualities of wool and tops, it being impossible to buy any class of raw material to fit in with the prices ruling for the corresponding quality of the combed article. This is about the most unsatisfactory feature connected with (he trade. Of course, wool has been well in front of Stops, yarn and pieces since the days of the slump. It has been a case of the tail wagging the dog for so long that the majority are no more concerned than they have been, but we do not remember a time when wool values were so much in front of either tops or yarns as is the case to-day. There is still the same wail emanating from manufacturers. and complaints are so strong that we must admit not liking them. Still, whenever possible looms are kept running, and although stocks in some hands are moderately large, there is just that feeling of uncertainty regarding the future which is too pronounced to make one feel altogether comfortable. Nevertheless the position of things in Coleman street clearly shows that somewhere there is a good trade doing, for it is inconceivable that wool would have moved into the hands of consumers at the rate it has if buyer? had not seen a reasonable chance of turning same to good account. 7 lie course of the auctions has dadv verified all the statements made bv Sir Arthur Goldfinch in hi? recent announcement—namely, that consumption is well on the top of -upplies : in fact, machinery demands are such that everywhere wool is being consnmed at a quicker pace than it is being grown. THE MOVEMENT OF MERINOS. During the past week the catalogues submitted have been, on the whole, good,

though evidence has been seen that the best wools had been catalogued previously. Crossbreds are bulking now very largely every day, and from no State in.) the Commonwealth has there been anything that can bo called really great. Even the character of the Queensland clips has fallen off very materially, though Kilcummin last Monday touched 31d for grease combing, fleece other lots making 29d to 27jd, rams 24d and broken A section of this clip had been scoured, the necks making 41d, broken 44d. and pieces up to SSjd This was good useful 64’s wool, the combing being in good dwerage condition, though some of the lots were somewhat seedy and wasty. Strathdarr for the second time this series touched 55d for scoured merino combing, other lots making from to 52;jd. Another lot marked North Queensland made up to 55d, and when such prices are forthcoming it clearly shows a very strong and healthy market. Among the j New South Males wools FWH/C'uba sold for the grease combing up to 321. d, other lots selling from Slid to 25jd, and a good little clip it was. An old clip marked Mossfield made 51id for scoured combing, not by any means a bad price for burry wool. Then the wools from Victoria have largely dwindled to the offering of scoured skin wools, B. A.W.R.A. cataloguing a good many old lots. T here was nothing particularly great about them, but ail 'the same they made prices fully equal to recent days. One of the catalogues contained a verv good sprinkling of Australian merino lambs, which sold anywhere from 20id to 12id. Some of the greasy crossbreds up to 17d, and grease comeback 17|d, but ail things considered, there was nothing particularly great about them. M T e ought to mention the sale of Cape wools, which have been on some days a rather’ prominent feature. For instance, last Mondav no less than 2483 bales were catalogued, includih"some nice choice Graaff Reinet wools’. These are about the best grown in South Africa, two clips touching 27d. These were very good wools, bright, good length, and attractive, but even 27d is only in harmony with what these wools were 'selling at in Prirt Elizabeth at the end of last January, when the bulk of the Graaff Reinet wools were sold on one day. As a matter of fact, several clips have touched the (on sine of 30d, hence 27<1 is by no means a i’o’f .P 1 * 00 - Other lots made anywhere from l°zd to 25d. and there certainly has been more general interest shown in those wools, though at the same time many lots were withdrawn, more especially shorter and wastiei wools where the vield was uncertain. As a matter of fact, full market prices were bid for these wools, but tliev tailed to reach owners’ limits on account of (he wools costing too much in the colony Bom.o -°od snow white Capes have sold' this wec.c up to sud. a very good price indeed A WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT We want specially to call the attention of the reader to the sale of the Wellington clip grown m South Queensland, one por- ' tlon , of ’wmch was offered on March 12 and another this series. We should say that the March wools were mostly ewes, while this series they have been mostly wethers but apart from this distinction the wools ’were identical. As every practical wool man knows, owe wools arc usually a little finer and a little lighter in condition hence the wools sold last son os wore fully equal to those catalogued this series. We give below certain lots made in March, with the

clean scoured costs, and what similar lots have sold at this series, clean cost being also included. A close study of the following particular? will show what a marked advance has taken place in merinos compared with last series: Wi’.LLTO WN.'DA RLIN t; DOWNS. Greasy price. Greasy price, y May March May March ■ Description. I. I’. 1. 12. j Greasy— per lb. per lb. per lb. pel lb.

CROSSBREDS IX DEMAND. As already indicated, the quantity of crossbred wools catalogued this series has been considerable, and it is wonderful the ready way in which the offerings have been absorbed. Business certainly has been done on exceedingly good lines, and apart from a little less being paid for American style low crossbreds, prices have remained firm and intact. Probably selling brokers will quote a full 10 to 12 j per cent, advance on medium crossbreds, and a 10 per cent, ad- j vanoe on low and fine crossbreds compared with the close of the March series. Surely this is enough for one series, and it is largely outside competition which is responsible for the marked improvement which has taken place. These remarks apply not only to greasy fleece, hut also to scoured and sliped wools. Tho latter have not been so prominent this series as in March, hence they have sold exceedingly well, America taking a fair quantity. Of course, Bradford topmakers have been the biggest buyers, and no doubt in lime a good many of the lots purchased will be sorted into matchings for sale either in that state or in the top. Business certainly has been exceedingly good, and even France has bought liberally, as well as Belgium. A line of greasy crossbreds sold this week satv some good 50’s fleece sell on a clean scoured basis of 24d, others a little, more wasty in character making 16id or 22-id clean. A weed lot of 4-s’s fleece, giving a clean yield of 76 per cent., made in the grease or 19d clean, while a lot of 46’s fleece made 14d in the grease, or just j over 18d clean. Another better line sold at 19d clean, and a third lot worked out at 18jid clean. The market is still strong, sound, and LAND BOARD. The monthly meeting* of the Land Board was held on the 11th; present—Messrs R. T. Sadd (Commissioner of Crown Lands), J. Smith, G-. Livingston, T. A. Munro, ancl C. J. Inder. The Department notified the reappointment of Mr C. .T. Inder as a member of the b oar d.—R eoe i ved. Iv. R. Orchiston, lessee of section 10a, Bellamy Settlement, asked that the question cf grouping sections 9a and 10a at a reduced capital value and granting same to him, be considered.—Left in commissioner’s bands to deal with on these lines. J. M. Casey applied to select on deferred payment system section 115, block XII, Tokomairiro district.—Approved, subject to payment of deposit. An application by Mary 0. Brown for section I*2‘2 (X), Leaning Rock, 9a lr 02p. Earnscleugh Settlement, was approved. Charles Stronach applied for a lease of a portion of section 3s, Dalmain Settlement.— Declined. The following applications for land were dealt with: Section It (XII), Tokom aiiiro, la 27p, d.p., Eva Campbell.—Approved. John Jolly, occupation lease over section 38, block 11, Benger district, containing 35 acres 2 roods 05p.—Approved; capital value 10s per acre. J. Parcell, lease of about 150 acres of reserve at Bannockburn.—Declined. Angus Crabbe, occupation lease over an area of about 50 acres on reserve at Bannockburn.—Declined. Timothy Duggan, grazing license over an area adjoining section 81, block VII, Lauder, at present held by him—lt was resolved to add to the area of the present license and increase the rent by 5s per annum. Ranger Corcoran submitted a report on section G2, block VI, Clarendon district, containing 41 acres.—The board resolved to open the land for selection on optional tenure at a capital value of 10s; village settlement proclamation to be revoked. James Young, yearly license over an area of about 50 acres of Matakanui Mining Re serve, block VII, Lauder district.—Declined. James Cairns, license to occupy about 50 acres of Matakanui Mining Reserve, block II, Lauder district.—The board suggested that the area be added to the present"yearlv license and to increase the rent by 7s 6d per annum. William Jephson, grazing license river an area of 50 acres of Matakanui Mining Eeeerye, block VII, Lauder district.—lt was decided to grant a license over 287 acres Mining Reserve to IV. Jephson and T. Iruesdale under section 130 at a rental of £2 103 per annum, subject to three months’ notice and on condition that a.nv person without land who resides at Matakanui shall have the right to become joint licensee with Jephson and True&dale on payment of proportional part of rent and any other expenses incurred. G eorge V hvte, yearly license for grazing purpose over an area of Mining Reserve in block VII, Lauder district.—Declined. The Department of Agriculture applied to have section 69, block 11. Tiger Hill district containing 7a lr ?5p set 'aside for the ttso of the department.—License 3072 can celled; land to be set aside for use of department. It was reported that W. C. Pitches, who was granted an occupation loose over section 70, block 11, Tiger Hill district, area la lr 89p, had not completed the. transaction.— Resolution of November 8, 1922, rescinded; ranger to report. Section 84, block VII, Leaning Rock. RBa 12p, 0.1. Edwin M’Donald.—Granted" an occupation lease at Is per acre per annum. John Quinn applied for a license to occupy about four or five acres adjoining- section 2G, block XI, Waitaliuna West district.—License under section 130 granted at 15s per annum, subject to three months’ notice. William James Manuel applied for an occupation lease over section 131, block IT, Teviot district, containing 38a Or 03p.—Occupation lease granted at rental of Is 6d per

acre per annum; miscellaneous license 1971 a cancelled. F. W. G. Faulkner applied for a license to occuji.v cm area of about 3r of Road Reserve opposite section 12, block 11, Sholover district. —Applicant referred to the County Council. C. Bam. lessee of Manuka Island, applied for a chain road from the Main road to the iord; also for half-chain of river bank on tho river front for a holding paddock.— It was resolved tc grant a chain road from the Main road to the ford. James Poyner ‘ applied for a license to occupy section 32, Elderslie Settlement; area 9a. License under section 130 granted at o9s per annum, subject to conditions specified. , A ballot for section 1, Poplar Grove Settlement, was held, two applicants were admitted to the ballot, and Janies Kennedy proved su -ecssful Section 17 (XII), Tnutuku, I3la lr 18p o.r.p, Alfred Croft.--Approved. The following applications for transfers were dealt with : Section 60 (I;, Gatlins, 281 a lr lOp, John Junge to Frank Ccults.—Approved. Section 25 (V), Lauder, 5G2a 2r 13p (Admin, of) Lucy Moran (deceased) to Daniel Patrick Moran.—Approved. Section 95 (VI), Tuapeka West, 27-1-32 and section 96 (IV), Tuapeka East, IGa, 'John Stewart to Chas. Stephen.—Approved. Section ‘2a, Elderslie Settlement No. 1, S 6-2-00, T’hos. Keith Hepburn to Jas. Stuart Anderson.—Approved. gagee of E. A. Simpson to Jas. A. E. Wilson. —Approved. Section 33a, Steward Settlement, 1111-3-00, Exec. J. M’Naughton (deceased) to Gilbert Green.—Held over. Southern portion of run 129, Clutha, 5040 a., Alex. Matheson to E. M. Lake. Held over £o r ranger's report. Section 9a, Steward Settlement, 24-3-10, Wm. Henry Trieker to Alex. Brunton. —Approved. Section 9, etc., Kelso Town, 4-0-13 and sections 6 to 8, etc., Kelso Town, 6-3-00, Margaret M’Donald to Ernest Edmond Russell. — Approved. The following applications for burning tussock were approved, the months set apart for operations being specified: W. G. North, at Kuriwao. —Approved not later than September under supervision of Lessee. Trustees in the estate of the late A. J. and S. T. Scaife, on run 333, Lake County. November. J. G. Williamson, at Kuriwao.—September. M. Patterson, at Kuriwao. — September. R. W. Sare, small grazing run section 14, block IV, Nenthorn, and 'section 1, block IX, and 2, block Vll, Kummock D.—September. M. F. Harrison, on sections ill block IV, Mount Hyde.—September. W. A. Scaife, runs 344 c and 334d.—November. C. North for authority to bum tussock at Kuriwao. —September. William Dallas, on run 540, Mount Stoker, —August or September. E. H. Allan, on run 98a, Kauroo Hill. — September. W. Iv. Walker, at Kuriwao.—-September. J. G. Williamson, on sections 5 and 6, block VIII, Kuriwao.—September. A. T. Harris, on run 516, Lockendorb. — September. 11. M. Jopp, on section 3, block IV, Silver Peak. —September. J. M. Stewart, at Kuriwao.—September. A. F. M'lntosh, on run 244 k, Tiger Hill.— September. (>. N. M’lntosh, on run 24-ii, Tiger Hill district—September. John Anderson, on run 9Ga, Clutha County. • —September. J. H. Lewm, at Kuriwao. —September. The following applications for freeholds were dealt with: Section G (XIII), Lower Wanaka, 58-0-13 p, Hy. Chas. Barker.---Approved. Section 56 (1), Highley, 6-3-39 p, Margaret F. Peddie. —Approved. Section 39 (I), Beaumont, 4-l-30p, John M'Combe. —Approved, subject to adjustment of road lino. Section 15 (XVII), Crookston, 109-1-06, John Haugh.—Confirmed. THE BREADSTUFF® AND PRODUCE MARKETS. Friday evening. Matters connected with the wheat industry were discussed at Christchurch on Wednesday at a conference of farmers representing the various Canterbury branches of the Farmers’ Union. The chairman i.Mr J. D. .Jail) 3aid the meeting should endeavour to find out whether it was the weather, the price, or threshing charges which were interfering with, the wheat industry in the dominion to-day. Practically all charges in connection with wheat-growing operations had increased about 100 per cent, since pre-war days. If this fact was .clearly known, it would be realised that the figuxe of 5s Id for Tuscan wheat, f.o.b. Lyttelton, did not, as some people thought, represent a fortune to ihe farmer. During the discussion Mr \V. A. Banks said that had there not been a Wheat Board set up, farmers would not have got within 9d per bushel of present prices. lie moved — “That this meeting is in favour of the piesent method of control and its continuance.' The chairman would not accept the motion. Mr P. R. Talbot (South Canterbury) moved —“That this meeting considers that farmers cannot be induced to grow wheat at a less price than 6s per bushel at country stations.’’ Tile motion was seconded by Mr J. M’Grath. who said that he knew of a firm in his district which had sold £IOOO worth less manure thi3 season than last, owing to the position with regard to wheat-growing. Mr Mulholland moved as an amendment — “That the price should not be less than 6s f.0.b.” Mr Lill seconded the amendment. Eventually a motion was unanimously carried embracing the original motion" and amendment as follows: —“That this meeting is of opinion that farmers cannot ire induced to grow wheat at less than 6s per bushel, LOCAL MARKETS. Odd lots of milling wheat are still on offer, and millers are taking the sound lines at full rates. The quantity available at this season of the year is on the small side, as little threshing is now being done. Some of tho wheat that was being held in store has hardened up in condition, and millers are now prepared to take it for gristing. A controversy lias arisen among the different farmers’ unions regarding the advisability of fixing prices for next season. There appears every likelihood that there will be a shortage in the area pant down in wheat, but this drawback should not have much effect on the New Zealand market seeing that the world’s markets are being over supplied. If, therefore, there is a free market there should be plenty of wheat available from < ,-verseas, and probably prices would rule low. On the other hand, farmers will be safeguarded and enabled to obtain a fair price for their wheat if arrangements can be made for fixed values. The advantages and disadvantages of

im two Cyst m h ive been discussed time and aga . --.he real question to be decided is whether, a the farmers cannot grow wheat protiiub.i in competition with overseas countucA. tiny should give it up and go in for some oilier branch of farming, and leave New Zetland at the mercy of these outside countries, or whether the growing of wheat should be fostered and safeguarded by ...o Govern merit in the general interests of the dominion. It rs the general interests that are to be considered, and what lias to bo decided is which policy will best serve those interests. Dunedin millers' prices are as follow; Flour, 2001 b, £ls Ids per ton; 100 s, £l6 10s; 56 s, in , 25 s, £l7 10s. Bran, £5 IDs per ton. Pollard, 47 10s. Oatmeal: 25's £29: 2J9’3, £l9. ’ ’ Tho following are quotations for wheat for this month: —Tuscans, 5s 2d; Hunter 5s Id; Pearl, 5s 6d f.0.b., nearest port. Xiie fowl wueat market remains fairly steady, with if anything, a slightly easier teeiing. North Island merchants are holding sufficient stocks in the meantime and are not operating to any extent. The quotation in Canterbury is 4s luid f.0.b., sacks extra, .md 111 Dunedin 4s lbd. These prices are equivalent to 4s 6d, sacks extra, ex trucks, Dunedin. The quantity now on offer is on the small side. There is a continued absence of demand in the oat market, and prices have eased irom a «l to Id per bushel. A good many oats aie available, both in stores and from Lai mors. A Gartens are quoted to-day at os 4d to 3s od f.o.b. 5.e., B s at 3s 2d to 3s ■ id, and undergrade at 2s lid to 3s f.o.b.s.e. These prices, are equivalent to 2s 7d on trucks lor A's, 2s 5d for B's, and 2s 2d for undergrade. Growers, however, are not showing any disposition to accept these values, out, on the other hand, merchants are not keen buyers, as they are unable to find an outlet tor their purchases. Latest reports from Australia show that there, have been excellent rainfalls in soma districts. The result has Iwen that tho demand from that quarter is at a standstill. PRODUCE REPORT. Fair consignments of chuff are still coming to hand, despite the weather conditions. Most of the lines, however, are of poor quality, arid these are going into store owing to lack of demand. Good heavy chaff can be sold at £0 os per ton, sacks extra, ex truck. There is still an absence of shipping demand, and reports irom Auckland show that the stores there are congested with heavy arrivals from the south and also from Australia. The quotation from Marlborough has been reduced to £6 15s f.o.b.s.e. for prompt shipment. The potato market has slightly weakened. Supplies from tile north and odd lots from the south are fully equal to tile demand, and 3a 'es are slow at about £lO 10s, sacks included, ex truck. There 13 also an easier feeling in the shipping market, and reports from the North Island state that some ports are overstocked. The shipping pi’ice for f.a.q. tables, July-August shipment, is £S loa f.0.b.,5.i., and £8 15s for August alone. At the conference of fanners representing the various Canterbury branches of uio Farmers' Union, held at Christchurch on Wednesday, -dr Talbot moved that conference considers that it is advisable to impose an embargo on Australian potatoes until ’.lie price of the local article reaches £lO per ton. Mr Leudley drew the attention of the conference to the da. ger of disease being imported with Australian potatoes. He made reference to a species of moth which was sometimes found in Australian crops. Air Carpenter said that the farmers were being continually thwarted in their efforts to get their produce on to the market at a reasonable price by the activities of the merchants v.ho handled it. The motion was carried, with the addition of a clause to the effect that it was desirable that all precautions should be taken to prevent the introduction of any disease in potatoes. Dairy butter is hard to place. Other produce lines remain unchanged from last week. Current local wholesale prices are as follow ; Chaff. —Good quality, £5 to £5 53; medium and light, £3 10s to £4. Potatoes, £lO 10s. Dairy Butter. —Bulk, Is sd; pats, Is 6d; milled, Is sd. Melbourne onions, £lO per t-on. Eggs.—Stamped, Is 9d; unstamped, Is 7d to Is Bd. Bacon. —Rolls, lid per lb; sides, 10Jd. Hams, Is 2d. FRUIT REPORT. The monthly shipment of Rarotongan bananas and oranges arrived from Wellington ex the Breeze. The fruit was in fair condition, although some of the bananas showed sign 3of frost. A quantity of Rarotongan tomatoes also arrived by the same boat. These v.ere rather on the green side. A small shipment of Sydney mandarins and passions is expected to arrive to-morrow (Saturday!, transhipped at Wellington, ex the Marama. The next direct shipment is not expected until the end of next week, ex tho Waikouaiti. Supplies of Victorian navels and lemons are expected about the 26th of the month, ex the Moeraki. Dessert apples, such as delicious and cleopatra, have a fair inquiry. Good cookers also have a fair sale. Medium quality dessert and cookers are neglected, and inferior quality is unsaleable. Small quantities o£ pears are still coming forward. These are rather on the small size. There is a good inquiry for vegetables. The following are the latest wholesale prices: Apples.—Dessert Jonathans, 53 to 7s per case; Delicious, Ss to 10s; C'leopatras, 7s to 8s Gd per case for choice; cookers. Is to 53 for best; medium, 3s; inferior, 2s to 2s Gd. Pines, 20s to 21s. Lemons. American, 35s to 60s; Victorian and Adelaide, 255. Passions, to ‘22s 6d. Mandarins, 2’2s 6d. Oranges.—lsland, as landed, 20s to 22s 6d; American, 365. Pie Melons. —New Zealand grown, 10s 6d per cwt; Victorian, 16s to 17s per cv.k. Cauliflowers, 14s per sack for choice; prime, 10s to 12s; loose, Is to 12s per dozen. Cabbages, IDs 6-1 per sack; medium, 9* to 5s Lettuce,-2s per dozen: inferior, 13 per box. Beetroot, Is t-o Is 4d per dozen. Parsnips, Is Gd per dozen bunches; 9s to 10s per cwt. Carrots, Is per dozen bunches, 7s per cwt. Marrows, 63 to 7s per case. Swedes, 13 to 5s per sack. MERCHANDISE MARKET. A sharp advance lias taken place in the price of carraway seeds. A slight reduction has been recorded in tho price of Steven’s semolina. Wilson’s malt extract ha? been advanced all round, both plain and with oil. Dur.vfa's maize 11 a shows a slight reduction in price. The Waihemo is bringing supplies of s.vckeye and cohoe salmon, also prunes and evaporated apricots. These should arrive on tho local market in a few days.

Three poodle matches are now quoted at 7s 9d a gross; case lots, 7s 6d. Further supplies of Harvest Queen cornflour are due to arrive in about three weeks’ time. Supplies of zigzag cigarette papers are more plentiful, and prices have eased as a consequence. Pearl barley is now quoted at 17s per cwt. White and black pepper has been reduced in price. Ground rice also shows a reduction in price. Bottled vinegar, packed, has been reduced to come into line with the price for bottles In the loose. COMMERCIAL CABLEGRAMS. FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES. LONDON, July 12. The exchange rates afford the following comparison with those obtaining on Monday:— London on Far. July 9. Julv 12. Paris, fr. to £1 25.255 78.80 77.15 Christiania, kr. to £1 ... 15,109 28.27 28.12 Copenhagen, kr. to £1 ... 18.159 26.10 26.12 Stockholm, kr. to £1 ... 18.159 17.27 17.30 Berlin, marks to £1 ... 20.25 1,325,000 910.000 Home, lire to £1 22.22 J loßf 105 a Mon treat, dol. to £1 ... 4.86 4.68 J 4.701 New York, dol. to £1 ... 4.86 4.56 3-16 4.58 11-16 Hongkong, dol. to £1 ... » 371 27 Yokohama, at. to yen ... 21.50 25 s d 255 Calcutta, st. to rpe. 10 to gold £1 16 3-16 16 1-3 * Determined by price of silver. LONDON, July 14 The present exchange rate on New York is 4.69 a dollars, and on Paris 78.25 francs. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. LONDON, July 12. The following are the latest quotations lor Government securities, compared with the prices ruling last week:—

BANE OF ENGLAND RETURNS. LONDON, July 12. The Bank of England returns afford the, following comparison with the returns for the previous week:— July 5 Julv 12. Com a.nd bullion 125.796.000 £125,798.000 Reserve 20.398.000 20 96.1 000 Note circulation 126.977.0iX) 134.585.000 Government deposits ... 19.458.000 11.597 000 Other deposits 12.3,785.000 107’f182.000 Government securities ... 44.334,000 46,939 000 Other securities 96,425,000 69,702,000 Proportion of reserves to Per cent. Per cent. liabilities 14.20 17.50 Ebort loans 2>- or Tliroe months’ lulls ... 3} 3? FOREION EXCHANGE RATES. LONDON, July 11. The foreign exchanges display a more confident tone. The rates are as follow. Hew York, 4.58 J dollars ; Paris, 70.95 francs; Berlin, 1,150,000 marks. LONDON MARKETS. LONDON, July 10. The wheat cargo market is featureless. Parcels are quiet and unchanged.

July 12. Wheat cargoes are depressed. Quotations are at a lower level owing to the decline :n America, coupled with an improvement in the sterling rate. Parcels are in fair demand at late rates. A telegram from Chicago says that wheat (which dropped on the prediction of a very large yield) has rallied sharply. JulySeptember deliveries are selling at 100 J cents. July wheat, slumped to 98J cents per bushel and September to 98J.July 14. For wheat cargoes sellers are asking recent currencies, but the demand is slow. Parcels are firmer. In Die spot trade there is little doing, and prices are nominal. Flour. —Very firm. Australian (ex store) is quoted at 35s 6d to 365. Barley.—Slow and easy. Oats. —Imported is irregular. New Zealand is quoted at 39s landed. Peas and Beans.—Unchanged. Sugar.—Granulated is quoted at 59s 2Jd. Cotton.—August is worth 14.30 d per lb Rubber.—Para, 14d per lb; plantation and smoked, 18gd. __ Jute.—New crop, August-September shipment, £25 15s. Copra.—June-July shipment, £25 10s. Linseed Oil.—£l3 10s. Turpentine.— 78s. The meat importers have not issued the weekly quotations, and all prices are nominal at last week’s rates owing to the irregularity of supplies due to the strike. DAIRY PRODUCE. „ ~ , , LONDON, July 12. .butter and cnees© are quiet owing to a lack of supplies through the dock strike. The letailers who stocked up when . the strike threatened have hitherto not reported a shortage. Only a hand-to-mouth trade from the warehoxi.se is being done. New Zealand coloured cheese is available at 92s to 945. Butter prices are nominally unchanged. ti xt i- , WELLINGTON, July 11 lie National Dairy Association of New Zealand has received the following cable message from its London office, dated July 6 the market 13 considerably affected by the strike and the butter and cheese available m realising higher prices. Butter.—Nev/ Zealand salted. 154 s to 156spm=a t< A ’ to 158 s; Austr aLan best salted’ Argentine 180 s to 1365; Irish, 144 s to 118 s Danish, 154 s to 1565; Dutch, 144 s wbH„ '^o~f e nr Ze3 i and col °utied, 90s to 925; vlnte, 92s to 945; Canadian coloured, 86s to 90s; white, 86s to 925; Australian, 86s to LONDON TALLOW SALES .... ... , LONDON, July 11. At the tallow sales 880 casks were offered and 309 were sold. Fine mutton was unchanged. Other sorts declined 6d per cwt. AUSTRALIAN MARKETS. MELBOURNE, July 13 Barley: English, 3s 9d to 4s Oats, 3s 8d to 3s 9d. Potatoes, £l3 to £l3 5s Onions, £3 17s 6d to £4. At the hides sales bidding was slack except for parcels showing substance, and values declined pi, notably on scoured lines „ , ~ . SYDNEY, July 12. Oats: Algerian feed and Tasmanian, 4s 5d to 4s 7d; white, 4s 6d to 4s Bd. Maize: Yellow and white, 5s 10d to 6s. Potatoes: Tasmanian, £l3 to £l6. Onions: Victorian, £6. „ , „ , ADELAIDE, Julv 12. Oats, 3s 2d to 3s 3d. LONDON SHARE MARKET LOND/LV, Jiily 14 Waihi shares are quoted at 26s 3d- Waihi Grand Junctions, at 6s; P. and O.'s, at £305.LONDON WOOL SALES. LONDON, July 9. At the wool sales practically no merinos were offered, but there was a good offering of average quality crossbreds. The following New Zealand sales -were made: —Kaiwarra 24d; Ugbraoke, 23id; H.8.M.C., 25d. The Bradford market is very ’ quiet with little inquiry. Crossbreds and merinos are stagnant.The Hull wool sales, which were fixed for Ju|y 27, have been postponed indefinitely owing to the dock strike. London selling brokers will decide to-mor-row whether the present London series, which has been postponed till July 17, is’ to be resumed. The Bradford market is dull. Prices are nominally unchanged, but the untested tendency favours buyers.* V July 13. Owing to the continuance of the dock trouble the wool sales have been further postponed till July 24. The Hull sales', which were fixed for July 27, have been postponed indefinitely. OAMARU MARKETS. 'From Our Own Correspondent.) OAMARU, July 14. Real winter weather has been experienced during the week—keen frosts and intense cold at the beginning and rain, persistent, though not heavy, for days by way of a wind up. As a consequence, with the prior sodden condition of a great proportion of the ground, very little farm work ha-3 been possible. The araa of land broken up for sowing with cereals is very small, and a number of farmers who contemplate spring sowing are becoming anxious about getting their land ready for seed. There is a general impression that, as a result of the thorough soaking the ground has received and the creation of a reserve of moisture, good yields of cereals may be anticipated next harvest, and that there is a possibility of a much reduced area of wheat giving an output equal to that of last harvest. That is looking ahead a long way, hut the opinion, has the warrant of experience. The point in the meantime is to get the ground ready for August sowing. The weather and ground conditions have prevented much being done in the way of threshing grain in stacks, but a fair number of offerings of milling wheat have been made in small lines, and these have found readytakers at full rates. It i 3 estimated that there are still some thousands of sacks to be threshed, but this wheat is not likely to come on the market until the spring. A little business in fowl wheat lias been done at country stations at 4s 5d net for good whole samples. There has, however, been little of that description offering, and as a result some inquiry for seconds wheat has arisen. There is no sign of life in oats, and business is at a standstill with few sellers or buyers. Some inquiry has been made for Chevalier barley, but this more by way of feeler than with business intent. Quotations range irom 3s 9d to 4s 3d net on trucks, but holders of good samples look for something more enticing. There has been nothing doing in potatoes. A few offers have been made from the

country, but growers have asked £lO net on trucks for whites and £9 for reds. Merchants decline to do business at those pricee.

SOUTHLAND MARKETS. (From Ouk Own Con respondent.) INVERCARGILL, July 14. The oats market is virtually at a standstill, inquiries from the north being confined almost entirely to under grade, and as this has been the case for some time, holdings locally are becoming considerably diminished. Merchants anticipate a somewhat better price for oats, and are firm holders at current rates, which are on a basis of 2s 8d for A grade and Sparrowbills and 2s 6d for B grade, on trucks, sacks extra, at country sidings. The recent disastrous fire at- Bluff has been the cause of taking off the market something like 3500 sacks, which, owing to the small nature of the crop as compared with previous years, will have some effect on prices, even though the quantity at one time would have been considered a trifiinv matter. Chaff is offering in considerable quantities by growers, and, except under exceptional circumstances, it is not possible for growers to obtain more than £3 15s, on trucks, for prime quality oaten. In the meantime prompt delivery- of such quality would probably solicit a bid of £4 owing to the continued snow in the back country. Fair quantities of wheat (which is under milling grade) have been offered lately, and have found buyers at up to 4s Id a bushel. These prices, however, are entirely for local trade, prices being too high for outside markets. Offerings of ryegrass from growers have almost ceased, only an occasional small line of seed such as 30lh or 40lb being offered from the country. It is quite evident that the bulk of this season’s crop is in the hands of merchants, and also that it is insufficient to meet with the demand made on Southland. Merchants generally anticipate still higher prices, and they are firm holders. Recently sales have been effected at from 7s Gd to 7s 9d for 281 b to 291 b seed, but such prices do not to-day tempt the average merchant. SHEEPSKIN SALE. The Dunedin Voolbrokers’ Association (The National Mortgage and Agency Company (Limited), New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited), Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Donald Reid and Co., Stronach. Morris, and Co., Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Todd Bros., and Dalgetv and Co.) reports as follows: The usi al attendance of buyers was present, small catalogues being submitted. Competition was keen, on the whole, and values were firm at rates ruling last sale. Quotations: Merino full wool, 1 lid to 15d; halfbred full wool, 14|d to lofd; half wool, llfd to 13fd; quarter wool, 9d to lOd; fine crossbred full wool, 12d to 13Jd; half wool, 10pl to lljd; quarter wool, 8d to 9fd; crossbred full wool, 10Jd to lid; half wool, Bfd to 9 ; ]d; quarter wool, 7id to Sid. Lambs’ halfbred, 12d to 18id; crossbred, 10Jd to lljd: halfbred dead, to 13id; crossbred dead, to 7£d; pelts, to BJd. HOTEL PROPERTY SALE. Messrs Alex. Harris and Co. offered at auction on the 11th at their rooms the freehold and brick building known a-s the Provincial Hotel, Port Chalmers. The area of the section is 17.5 poles, being part of section 14, Port, Chalmers, together with right-of-way, with a substantial up-to-date brick building containing 23 rooms. After spirited bidding- the property was knocked down to Mr E. Godfred for £SOOO.

Owner. Weight. Quality, lion. Total A. Marfell 55 25 15 95 L. Marfell .. BO 25 14 89 J. B. time .. 57 25 15 97 Total 281 —Tarata Settlers’ Association. — CultivaO'tfiier. Weight. Quality, ticn. Total, J. W Burgess 1 26 16 H. Blackburne 25 15 90| By ley Bros. .. 49£ 29 11 m Total 279*

S u per co m bi n g d. d. d. d. hoggets .. .. ;ni 30 A ( I 55 Super combing N 31 29" 03 5 4 Super combing K Super combing - 7i 6-1 51 A E 3iV 2- *' 58 — Super combing It 31 251 39 — A combing it 30A 25 5»i‘ — Clothing 32 23 C1 — Necks, hoggets .. Necks, H m 271 6 j 53 31 27 i G3 521 Broken hoggets.. 30 211 — — Broken K 231 21 55 47 first pieces K . . 21' •22 53 — Second pieces K 22 ISi — — hast bellies E.. 23.], ‘Bid. 205

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