THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 20

THE NORTH ISLAND.

iFiBOM Oub Own Cobhespondent.) The North Island has been specially favoured in regard to weather, the past week being all that could be desired; in fact we are enjoying spring-like conditions instead of winter. It is true that there has been a good fall of snow on the Ruahines, Egmont, and Ruapehu, but along the coast there h&3 been plenty of sunshine and warmth by day. The feed conditions are exceptionally good, and if they continue as they are without any setback there should be a good demand for young stock. Dairy production should also be first class, as the new season is likely to be commenced with the cows being at their best. The dairy year of the Auckland province, ending on June 30, was a very satisfactory one; and, judging by the general appearance of the pastures through the Waikato, the new season bids fair to be commenced under the very best prevailing conditions. Last season, of course, commenced with a shocking spring, unfavourable weather for dairying continuing right up to the end of De cember. Nevertheless, Auckland’s production, as revealed by the latest figures, was very satisfactory, considering all circumstances. A notable feature of the season was that the butter output showed a fairly substantial decrease, but cheese production was materially greater than that of the previous season. This is accounted for by the fact that good prices were offered for cheese during the early part of the season and the output of the first six months was sold early, at a highly payable figure. The quantity of butter received at the grading stores during the year totalled 1,571,502 boxes, compared with 1,656,621 for the previous year, a decrease of 85,119 boxes. Last year’s figures, however, are greater by 111,823 boxes than those of the 1922-23 season, which stood as a record until last reason. The cheese production during the year exceeds that of the previous year bv a substantial margin. During the past 12 months 162,742 crates were received at the grading stores, against 133,411 for the previous year, an increase of 29,301 crates. The butter-fat equivalent in butter and cheese graded during the year just ended was approximately 83,162.7111 b, with 85,365,7951 b for the previous ? aar, a decrease of 2,203,0841 b. Assessing the value of the year’s output at Is 6d per lb butter-fat, the total value of the butter and cheese received for grading amounts to approximately £6,237,000. The value of the previous year’s output on the same basis was estimated at approximately £6,450,000. Analysis of monthly returns shows that the peak return for the season in December during the just ended was greater by 3906 boxes than the peak return for the previous record season. That was the only month in which 1925-26 returns exceeded those of the previous season until May of this year. Tne returns for May

and June are considerably in excess of those of corresponding months of last year, but they represent the nroduct of winter milking, and are comparatively small. FARM SCHOOL AT GISBORNE. The farAi school at Gisborne was well attended, and it is confidently expected that the results will be excellent as far as the farmers are concerned. Already producers are showing their interest in top-dressing by ordering superphosphates, which will be used in hill country. One farmer said he had been thinking of doing it for years, but kept putting it off, as he thought that the expense would be too great. However, he has now been convinced of the profitableness of the undertaking and he has ordered large supplies. Other farmers are thinking in the same way, and it is confidently expected that hill-country top-dressing in Poverty Bay will receive a direct impetus as the result of the visit of departmental officers. HAWKE’S BAY FARMERS CO-OP. The annual meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Co-operative Association was pleased with the result of the past year’s operations, as revealed in the report and balance sheet. The balance sheet showed that after making due provision for depreciation on buildings, plant, etc., and for estimated amounts of income and debenture taxes, respectively, the balance of profit including £9,790 9s Id brought forward from last year, amounted to £23,987 12s sd, which the directors recommended should be allocated to pay a dividend of 8 per cent, on paid-up capital, the balance to be carried forward. Rebates to shareholders were paid during the year at the rate of 2£ per cent, on goods purchased (sundry goods excepted) and 15 per cent, on commissions contributed (land commissions excepted.), and the directors, before closing the accounts for the year, made provision for the payment of a bonus of 8 per cent, to the official staff. THE FREEZING SEASON. The Taruheru freezing season at WaiSoava, in the Poverty Bay district, closed own for the season last week, and the total killings for the year show that a fairly satisfactory season has been experienced, although the total is not nearly as large as last season. The season was a very erratic one, both as regards the numbers of stock coming forward each month and the quality of the sheejp and cattle killed. Towards the end of May the killings fell considerably, and during the last few weeks the works have been killing on only two or three days a week. The cattle killed during the present year are considerably less than last year's figures, this, of course, being due to the nature of tne season and the fact that few fat cattle were killed in comparison with last season. A feature of

the season was. of course, the very large number of “potters” handled, while tne calves killed totalled more than have ever previously been handled in a single season. Sheep and lambs both show fairly substantial decreases, and the quality taken on the whole was not nearly as good as in average seasons. Some very good lambs were received at times, but these were the exception rather than the rule. The total killings were as follows: Sheep .. 82,666 Cattle .. 8,528 Lambs .. 91,938 Calves .. 4,549 HOWARD BEQUEST AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. When the Minister of Education visited Hawke’s Bay last week he was given an opportunity to make a suggestion to the province in regard to tne use of the money for agricultural education being derived from the Howard bequest. The Minister was waited on by delegates of the Thirty Thousand Club. Mr Besson explained that the Thirty Thousand Club had been interested in the Howard bequest from the early stages, and had had a good deal to do wtih it right through. As to the moneys being received from the estate, the club’s desire was that these moneys should be used for the benefit of agricultural education to the boys, particularly from Hawke’s Bay. If that could be done '.hey felt that some benefit would be derived from the estate. “I am glad you brought this forward,” replied the Minister. “It gives me the opportunity of asking you whether you will consider associating the money from the estate with one big agricultural college, instead of a number of small institutions all over the place. We want you to concentrate on the one big college that the Government is going to erect. If you agree to it it would strengthen the position, and at the same time will give you what you want immediately—the use of the money. The idea is not to absorb your money or neglect you, nor to break faith with the testator. I believe it could he done all right if you assist us with one big college. We already have Auckland and Wellington pulling together, and that is unique. We are now trying to fet others in and make one good college. f your boys can get their trailning there it will be to their advantage. As it is now the money is accumulating and you are getting no benefit. The problem is how to get the opinion of the people of Hawke’s Bay. This will give it a start off, and it will depend on the leaders here how you view it. I’m not trying to force the issue. It’s purely a matter for the Hawke’s Bay people. Let me reiterate that there is no desire to absorb the money from the estate. We could not expect that. The money was left to the boys of the Hawke’s Bay people, and whatever we do we must observe that. I can see, however, the advantages of a united effort. If we can get Hawke’s Bay in we will have a very fine affair.” Mr Bisson said that the club’s view was that the education should be of a practical nature to deal with the second-class land of the type of the estate. They quite appreciated what the Minister had said. It would give them food for thought, and something for discussion.