THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3765, 11 May 1926, Page 20

THE NORTH ISLAND.

(From Ocr Own Correspondent.) Some little time ago the prolonged spell of dry weather caus:d some anxiety as to winter feed, and many .'eared that without rain came soon the out l 'ok for stock during the severe months of the year would be very bad. During the past week rain came with a vengeance. Boisterous conditions prevailed everywhere, the weather along the west coast being particularly severe. Very heavy rains fell in the hinterland, and caused some of the ivers to run abnormally high. As long as frosts do not a*live too quickly after the rain, the feed position should improve considerably. As it is, stock is likely to have a bad time. Hay that w\.j stacked ready for use later on in the season had to be broached and fed out to hungry cattle, and this naturally lessens the quantities of feed in store. On most sheep farms crutching operations have been general, and this season there are few dirty hoggets to trouble the farmer. It is quite certai" th ; in Poverty Bay and Hawke’s Bay there will be many weak hoggets in the flocks, and farmers are doing their best by drafting them off, and placing them on as good feed as is available. HERD-TESTING IN TARANAKI. Herd-testing returns for cow-testing associations of Tanaraki are no* - available, with the following results:— Bell Block Association's testing period ended on April 3, the summarised returns

HAWKE’S BAY. The annual meeting of the Dannevirke and District Dog Trial Club took place at Waitahora, and passed off very successfully. Cups and special prizes were awarded as follows: — Gainsford Cup, for team of three dogs: J. A. Johnstone. Barmen’s Cup, for dog scoring most points in Classes I and II: J. Harvey’s Cub and J. Johnstone’s Roy, tie. M'Donald Cup, for dog scoring most points in huntaway: J. Johnstone’s Star. Standfield Cup, maiden dog and dog scoring most points in Class I: T. Harvey. Fat Stock Buyers’ Cup, for dog scoring most points in Class IT: J. Land’s F’v. Neatest head in Class I (Mr Wainscott’s trophy): J. Lang. Best style at yard: (W.F.C.A.’s trophy): J. Lang. Best style at ring (S. M'KenzieV trophy): I. Harvey. Youngest competitor (Mr A. Wilson’s trophy): R. Ayres. Competitor travelling longest distance (Mr Webber’s trophy): J. Johnstone. Returned soldier with dog scoring most points in Class II (Loan and Mercantile’s trophy): A. Ayres. Competitor scoring most points in open events (Hallenstein Bros.’ trophy): J. Johnstone. Maiden man scoring most points at meeting (Mrs Tickner’s trophy): A. Ayres. Subbs and Millar’s trophy: L. Lang. Mr H. Weed’s rophy• A. Ayres. Mr Sintrophy: R. Ball. Mr Power’s trophy: A. Ayres. Mr B. O. Thompson’s trophy: A. Ayres. Mr Ross’s trophy: T. Harvey. Hannah and Co.’s trophy: J. M‘Donald. Mrs Carpenter’s trophy: R. Ball. Bain’s special: G. M'Kenzie. J. Barry’s trophy: T. Harvey. Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Garage trophy: H. Poole. AUCKLAND WINTER SHOW. Some i.isappointment was felt at Auckland when it became known that Dargaville had decided not to compete at the district’s court competition at the Auckland Winter Show this year. The Northern ‘Waiioa district is a most resourceful one, and it can ahvays be depended upon to provide an interesting exhibition. Apparently, however, the time limit had a good deal to do with the decision arrived at, but it is intended to appoint an organiser in August next to canvass the Kaipara district for the 1927 show. PRODUCTION OF BUTTER-FAT. The production of butter-fat has decreased a good deal compared with last season’s output, and the Stratford dairy factory can be taken as an example. The returns went down solidly up to the beginning of the year owing to the cold and boisterous spring. There was, however, a gradual pulling up again, and in April the returns showed an increase of 8.2 per cent, over the figures for the Bame

month in 1925. The 11 mouths ending April 30 compared with the corresponding period of 1925 show a decrease of 4 per cent, of the total butter-fat. When the very bad spring is considered this decrease is not regarded as very serious. Though the supply for the autumn is being maintained very well, as shown by the April figures, the length of the season and the supply for May depend largely on the weather. The past week has not been very encouraging, and probablly when the dairy season finally ends for 192(5 there will be a decreased output of somewhere between 8 and 10 per cent. DETERIORATED LAND. The Government has given an indication of its policy in regard to experimentation in the restoration of deteriorated lauds by means of a letter sent by the Hon. A. D. M’Leod to the Te Kuiti Borough Council. The letter was in reply to one from the council embodying resolutions from the Chamber of Commerce and the A. and P. Association indicating the manner in which experiments should be carried out on deteriorated lands with a view to achieving the best results. The Minister, writing says: “ The proposals, which are much appreciated, have been carefully considered by the Minister of Agriculture and myself in conjunction with the heads of our respective departments, and it has been decided to endeavour to get one or two experienced farmers in the Taranaki and the Auckland land districts each to take over a partly deteriorated farm without rent at a nominal rental. Upon the men being forthcoming advances lor fertilisers, fencing material, etc., will be made as required to enable the lands to be brought back into profitable occupation. An endeavour will also be made to establish model farms in the localities affected. Should success result it is pro posed to offer these men the right to purchase or lease these farms at a fair price that would warrant their remaining in possession. It is hoped that the arrangements outlined will demonstrate the possibilities of bringing back deteriorated lands into profitable occupation.” POVERTY BAY CLIP. The farmers ~f Poverty Bay received something like £820,000 less than last season for the wool, according to official figures for the wool selling season. A practical feature of the present season was that more w r ool was sold at the Napier sales than last yaer, the advance doubtless being due to the fact that better prices were obtained at Napier last year than in the Home market. The average prices for most of the wool sold this year are half of those of last season. According to figures suplied, 13,681 bales of wool from the Gisborne district were offered at Napier, as compared with 12,585 offered last season. The average value per hale is estimated at about £l7, so that fanners < here netted £232,577 from Napier sales. The average for the wool this year shows a marked contrast as compared with last year’s figures, when the average at Napier was £3O per bale. Last year Poverty Bay produced close on 60,000 bales of wool, but this season, owing to dry weather, the production would not be more than 40,000 bales. Taking the Napier sales results as a guide, the farmers would receive £820,000 less for wool this year than last, for wool this season would be worth only £680,000, as agains* the value of a million and a half last year. This big decrease in output and corresponding value is being reflected in the districts trading around; but as a set off it is considered that stable values have been reached, and this is, at least, satisfactory. DAIRY PRODUCED MARKET. The big strike at Home, has made matters look rather gloomy for the butter market, as well as all other markets, butter, it is thought, being affected more than cheese. A regrettable fact for the Dominion dairyman is that there was a weakening of the butter market lately owing to the European supplies becoming available in increasing quantities. Writ ing under date March 18 Messrs W. Weddel and Co. estimated that there would be a shortage in arrivals from Australia and New Zealand during March, April, May, and June of something over 20,000 tons, as compared with last year, and this, they estimated, would set off the quantity of butter held in various cool stores throughout the United Kingdom. According to other advices the stored stocks at the end of March were estimated at 30,000 tons, and as the supply from then onwards was expected to balance demand the stored stocks may cause trouble in the market, apart from whatever difficulties may arise through the strike. The cheese market has displayed weakness, and has been slow. There are heavy stocks of New Zealand and Australian cheese afloat, and although there will be a shortage of between 2000 and 3000 tons of New Zealand cheese reaching the market during April to July it must be borne in mind that there are very heavy stocks held in New Zealand at the present time; consequently arrivals of New Zealand cheese during August and September will be considerably heavier than they were in the corresponding months of last year, and will come into competition with the Canadian flush. The outlook for • cheese is not bright. DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL. Mr T. C. Brash, secretary of the Dairy Control Board, has made a statement in regard to whether the proposed legislation to govern the method of electing mem- - bers of the Dairy Control Board would involve the postponement of absolute control. The explanation made by Mr Brash is as follows: " As a result of the conference held on April 28,” said Mr Brash, “ the Minister of Agriculture has been recommended to amend the legislation for the election of the board to allow of the Dominion being divided into wards, and the voting for the election of the board members to bo carried out by the directorates of the ► dairy companies or the proprietor where the factory is privately owned. It is almost certain that if the Government accedes to the wish of the conference in this direction the North Island will be divided into six wards, and the South Island into three wards on the tonnage basis. That is to say, that as far as possible the six wards in the North Island would each represent approximately the same amount of butter-fat, and the same would apply to the three wards in the South Island. “ Again,” explained Mr Brash, ” if the recommendations of the conference are

accepted by the Government each dairy company or proprietor in the individual wards would vote according to its tonnage, with certain restrictions on the larger outputs. Whether or not the suggested amendments to the legislation for the election of the board will necessitate a general election is a matter for the Government to decide. As the present producers’ members on the board are almost evenly distributed throughout the Dominion it is possible that the legislation might provide that they would each hold their seats in the wards in which they at present reside. There is nothing in connection with the proposed legislation which will involve the postponement of absolute control.”

being: Milk, lb Test. Fat, lb. Best herd .. .. .. 654 6.2 40.66 Worst herd .. 365 4.9 17.92 Best cow .. .. .. 780 7.1 55.38 Worst cow .. .. .. 210 5.2 10.82 ' Average Assn, cow .. 509 5.9 30.03 Lepperton tests concluded on April 6, and the summarised returns are: Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. Best herd ... 666 5.4 36.50 Worst herd .. .. .. 408 5.7 23.45 .. 630 6.7 46.23 Worst cow .. .. .. 225 7.1 15.97 Average Assn, cow .. 554 5.5 31.01 Tikorangi ended on April 10, w ith the following summary: Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. Best herd .. .. ... 805 5.1 42.20 Worst herd .. .. .. 547 3.9 21.79 .. 960 6.0 57.60 Worst cow .. 240 4.2 10.08 Average Assn, cow .. 575 4.9 23.07 Urenui’s returns ended on April 17, the summary being as follows: Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. Best herd .. .. . 429 6.1 26.62 Worst herd .. .. .. 262 6.1 16.06 Best cow .. .. .. 825 5.6 46.20 Worst cow .. .. .. 180 4.4 7.92 Average Assn, cow .. 384 5.8 22.31 Mangorei’s returns are up to April 17, the summarised figu •es being as follows: Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. Best herd .. 575 5.2 30.07 Worst herd .. ••• .. 328 4.5 11.80 .. 915 5.8 53.07 Worst cow .. .. .. 120 3.8 4.56 Average Assn, cow .. 462 5.3 21.52 DOG TRIALS IN' SOUTHERN