THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3714, 19 May 1925, Page 19

THE NORTH ISLAND.

TaoM OUB Own Cobf.e3pondf.nt. I The North IsW te been siderably fiom t lo g y evident everyth 6 Sl 'severaf weeks ago has been gradually where several «ee g p OS ,t lo n is decreasing unti, D ring t h e past week bj “°l TtrictTenioved a nice rainfall, and STS™ Materially Wp in improving the ° u nor TRIALS IN POVERTY BAY thus & E f,o“g-hei T E e ’Bah^s nt Uen CT al Class ll—Long neau . jj. Kilmer 8 Speed! M 32'pc?nts! , 2; J. N. Butler’s Choice, 51 t'lasT n ii’l 3 -Head and yard: E. Dahnds General Nicholson, 37 points, 1, • • Butler’s Storm 54*. points and J. N- Butbeat team of t \ o ,r o D. t X e mS'sm,Mo^competitor r r r ing most points at trials: N. L. de Lautour And W L. Elmers, tie, fl Stockbrokers’ cup, for team of three dogs to'bo nominated and one start in each evoid scoring 20 points or over: Not “"Nasmith and Son’s cup, for dog Moving most points in both head even s (previous oup winners barred): N. L. do Dautour’s Toss. _ r i Messrs (Jordon and Jones s cup, for dog scoring most points (must start m three events): R. Flemings Bob. Stonoham and Co.’s rose bowl, for competitor scoring second highest points at trials: N. L. do Lautour and W. L. Ellmms, j lo, jj Ltd.. cup, for champion dog’: R* Fleming’s Bob. , , , , Mr W. L Ettmer’s cup for local dog scoring most points in both heads: W- L. Ellraer’s Speed. , . , Mr H. Bulst’s cup, for dog that has never previously run at a trial: E. Thomas’s Miok. Primrose and Leslies special, for competitor having most ontries: N. L. do Lautour. . . , , , , , Mr F. Hall s special for unplaced dog scoring most points in huntaway: C. Browirs Fan. Mr A. C. Arthur’s special for unplaced dog scoring most points in long head: I. Smith'! Bell

Mr R. Beaufoy’s special for unplaced dog scoring most points in head and yard* VV. L. El liners s bpeed. G. S. Bruce and Go’s, special for maiden dog scoring most points: R. Fleming’s 800. Mr A. C. Bnort’s special for dog heading in fastest time in long head: N. L. de Lautour’s Jean Mr David Lameron’s special for best local slut: G. Gordon’s Poi. Mr E. Green s special for committeeman’s dog scoring most points in head and yard: A. Ashdown and F. Thomas, tie. Mr 11. DeCosta's special for dog compleU ing hunt in fastest time: R. Fleming's Bob. Dunbar and Aston’s special for dog with best command in hunt: W. L. Elhnersf Sailor. Mr W. Tucker’s special for dog with best style at yard: W. L. Ellmers’s Speed. Adair Brothers’ special for youngest competitor: D. Clark. Mr O. Korte’s special for dog scoring most points for heading in long head: G. Gordon's Poi. Mr D. Clark’s special for dog returning in fastest time in huntaway: E. Thomas’s Micky. Mr F. Thomas’s special for dog with best style at ring: W. L. Ellmers’s Speed. Mr W. Hayes s special for dog yarding in fastest time: N. L. de Lautour’s Toss. Mr W. Thomas’s special for competitor having second highest number of entries: A. Asndown. SHEEP IN RANGOTKEI. Tho sheep returns for Rangitikei are interesting, and prove that the county is holding its own. For the year 1923 979,159 sheep were accounted for in tho department’s statistics, while for tho period ending 1924 the total had gone up to 1,023,235—an increase of 44,076. Farmers are breeding well, and it is confidently expected that the flocks will show a further increase this year. IN SOUTH TARANAKI. Hie district of South Taranaki has shown an increase of about 5.4 per cent, butterfat over the output for last season till the end of April. The Hawera Dairy Company’s output for this season has been 2,092,2001 b of butter-fat, compared with 1,983,3371 b in the same poriod last year. At the end of December the increase was about 10 per cent., but this was not maintained owing to the dryness of the autumn. Last season a “false” autumn was experienced, and the frequent ‘rains ke* 1 feed going well. This year, of course, the autumnal season has been quite normal, and the supply of feed has not been so plentiful as last season. The secretary of the Hawera Company states that on May 20 the company would be paying its suppliers a sum of £26,000. representing the pay-out for the April supply of -milk and cream at Is 3d per lb butter-fat, and a further payment of 2H per lb butter-fat on the milk supply f n August to March, inclusive. This wo: bring the company s total pay-out for milk supply for the season up to Is 5d per lb butter-fat to tho end of Maroh. LEAGUE OF RESISTANCE TO DAIRY CONTROL. If the Government passes the Dairy Control Act it will not be by the. unanimous wish of dairy farmers. As a matter of fact, tho more many farmers think about it the more they dislike the proposal, and the Government is likely to have a pretty difficult task ahead if it attempts to force the measure through on to tho Statute Book. Taranaki’s opposition is steadily growing, and a few days ago a largely attended meeting of dairy farmers was held at New Plymouth, when it was decided, practically unanimously, to form a New Zealand League of dairy farmers for the purpose of resisting the putting into operation of the powers of compulsory control conferred in the board by the Dairy Control Act. Mr Jacob Marx % of Mangatoki, was tho principal speaker. Strong exception was taken to the proposals of the board on account of the fact that when tho Bill was under consideration the producers were told that although compulsory clauses were included it would not be thought necessary to put them into operation lintil after careful investigation. It was urged that the investigation made by members of the board who went Home could not be that of impartial examiners of the methods of marketing, as they were men whoso minds were set from tne beginning upon complete control. A further resolution was carried without dissent to the effect that immediate steps be taken to secure repeal of the clauses in the Act dealing with the powers of marketing by the board, and affirming that there should be no right of interference with any company in the sale of its produce. In connection with this a deal was made of the fact that certain companies wore exempt from tho board’s control by reason of sale contracts previously entered into for a period of several years. It was submitted that this was manifestly unjust to other companies, who would have to submit to control. A third resolution was carried to tho effect that immediate steps be taken to secure tho ward system of election of membercs of the Board of Control, for the purpose of putting into effect the decisions of the meeting and of combining with any other farmers desirious of taking similar action. A committee of seven representative dairy farmers was set up. The committee consists of Messrs Marx (Mangatoki), Gibson, Green, Fleming (Rahotu). Purdio (N. Taranaki), Jones (Bell Block), and Rino (Tikorangi). SPREAD OF PASPALUM. Paspalum dilitatum has made wonderful strides in the North of Auckland, and as a summer grass it seems hard to beat. Mr W. R. Wright, of tho Waikato, has raada interesting roforonco to the early history of this grass. Ho said that when it was absolutely unknown in New Zealand, in 1885 he received from England a case packed with hay and straw. The packing was thrown out into a paddock behind hit homo in Taranaki. Two years later paspalum appeared all over this paddock, and even to-day it was still “going strong.” Mr Wright said that lie had sown many acres with paspalum since. Ho had found that crested dogstail was not only an affinity to paspalum, but was also spreading rapidly, and tho prospects were that it would oust paspalum. He had only sown crested dogstail in one of his noddocks, but it was now well established in no fower than four paddocks. Mr Wright expressed the opinion that tho seed stalks of crested dogstail were not attractive to animals, as he had never noticed the oattle eating them. Crested dogstail was the only Ess that could beat naspalum, or ovon with it when it haa got a good hold, he objected to it on account of the uo»

palatable seed stalks. Mr Wright'said lie had found that this season rat-tail grass had gone to seed, except in places where it ■was heavily immured and stocked. He expected that next year there would be a very heavy crop of young rat-tail plants. DAIRYING IN POvERTY BAY. It is understood that dairy farmers in Poverty Bay are fairly satisfied with the results of the season, which is now drawing to a close. Despite the recent spell of dry weather, with its resultant decrease in production, tho returns of the average dairy farmer in Poverty Bay will be well above those of last year. A farmer in reviewing the season, points out that the season was suitable for dairy farming, and the wet weather of January caused a flush of feed which caused the factory outputs to go up by leaps and bounds. Up till recently, in fact, the feed on the flats was all that could be desired, and it appeared as if tho Kia Ora Factory would incronso its output for the season by more than 100 tons. Tho April figures show that such cannot now he tho case, but it is apparent that there' will yet be a fairly substantial increase for the season. Fanners in many cases hud made reasonable provision for a hard winter, but there ii still a largo section which relies on chance, and does not make provision for ■upplementary feeding during the winter months. Dairy farmers who had green maize were in a fortunate position, and were ablo to keep their returns up fairly high. Already many formers have boon feeding hay to the cows, while lucerne, as usual, has proved a good stand-by. Tho Sroduotion for the present month and for une will show a 1 decrease, and it will be surprising if the quantities manufactured at tho local factories equal those of laat year. One of the o'Wions which is being tackled by manv progressive farmers is that ot herd-testing and culling, and those

in Poverty Bay who have adopted a policy of rigid culling of their herds find that the increased returns warrant the procedure. Land can be improved by topdressing and cultivation, but it can only bo improved to the extent of carrying a slightly larger number of cows. It must necessarily be a reasonable proposition that the better the cows the better the financial results, and dairy farmers in their own interests should endeavour to gradually improve their herds. The gradual elimination of the poor producer is not a very costly operation, and if farmers cull out onlv a few of their poorer quality cows each year, they are gradually building up what should eventually become a first-class herd. Herd-testing, culling, and strict enforcement of cream grading are three of the things that have proved and are still being of immeasurable benefit to tho industry. MERCHANTS' COMMISSION. In the Gisborne district a good deal of publicity has been given to a complaint that the commission charges levied by the wool and stock brokers of Poverty Bay are too high for the amount of work carried out. A correspondent, in criticising the action of the Farmers’ Union, maintains that the charges on wool are not excessive, and he snows that one point on whioh the Farmers’ Union was misinthe rate of commission charged by tho merchants. It was stated at its meeting that the rate charged was 2$ per cent. This Is not correct, as, on making inquiries in the right quarter, it was ascertained that the rates are as follows: Napier, 2 per cent.; London, 2 per cent; Auokland, Zi per cent. Practically no Gisborne wool is sold at Auckland. Of this commission the Gisborne brokers get only a percentage, as part of the rate ih deducted by tne Napier broker, who actually auctions the wool. In many oases, too, tho bank has a mortgage on the wool, and

that institution expects a percentage out of the amount. So it can bo seen that actually a Gisborne broker receives quite a small amount in the way of commission. The commission is divided on a 50-50 basis between the two firms, and the bank receives its “cut” out of the proportion handled by the Gisborne broker. ‘‘lf,” •said the critic, “instead of talking of lowering the commission, the union sought for some means of compelling the buyers to place Gisborne on the roster of wool sales, much more good would be done for the farmers of the district; tho charges for shipping the wool between the Gisborne and Napier stores amount to a considerable figure, and that, added on to the selling charges, aids considerably to lower the amount of the cheque finally received by the farmer. It seems incredible that the buyers have placed the Gisborne farmers in such a position that they can be dictated to as to where they are to sell their wool An opinion expressed by a lending Australian merchant seems to meet the position. He stated that * until tho New Zealand brokers follow the lead of Australia, and prepare their own roster, irrespective of the wishes of the buyer, nothing can be done/ It is estimated that the total charges, freight and cartage, etc., on tho local wool sold in Napier amounts to id per lb. So it will be seen that, with an average bole of 3601 b the extra charges amount to 7s 6d per bale. With good road communication between Gisborne and Napier the old cry of isolation cannot now he used by the buyera and there is no reason why Gisborne should not have a sale. The Poverty Bay district,” continues

tho critic, “is one of the largest woolproducing districts in the Dominion, and it seems hard that the growers here have to suiter the dictation of the buyers.” CANTERBURY CRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET. nr. , . CHRISTCHURCH, May 16. v\ heat continues to be offered with a shade more freedom than local millers desire, and the storage space in cases is getting filled up. .Now that the price is fixed, however, it is expected that the needs of the northern millers will absorb offerings to an improved extent. T* l6 oats market at the moment is very dull. Operators have disposed of their April purchases by sales to the north on consignment, and the local storing strength of the market will probably be determined within the next 10 days, when May purchases will have to be arranged for. Much of the northern business is for Algerians. A grade Gartons are quoted at 4s 6sd and B’s at 4s Id, f.0.b., s.i., the values on trucks being 3s 9d and 3s 2d respectively. Algerians are quoted according to quality at 2s 8d and 2s lid, on trucks. Somo business has been done in perennial ryegrass at 5s 3d, f.0.b., s.i. White clover ia quoted at Is to Is 3d, on trucks, and red at 8d to 9d. A slight move took place in Partridge peas, there being a few sales to cover commitments at 6s 2d a bushel. Potatoes are showing no change. The Wingatui, which left yesterday, ’ took a small consignment from Lyttelton, but a fair cargo from Timarn by another vessel is scheduled to sail on Monday. Forward bouglft potatoes will probably be cleared in the course of a fortnight and a revival then may set in. In the meantime, northern buyers are keeping right off the market. The supplies going north are meeting the needs. Quotations, on trucks, are from £3 5s to £3 10s, but farmers will not discuss the former figure,, whilst only a few are satisfied with the latter.