NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3803, 1 February 1927, Page 48

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. FARMERS’UNION. The monthly, meeting of the North Otago Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held on Friday afternoon, there being present Messrs R. B. Meek (chairman), Hamilton, Walker, D. _J. Ross, Murray, Rodger. D. Cameron, Lister, Ruddenklau, Borrie, Forrester, and Brewster. An apology was received from Mr J. G. Macdonald. Accounts amounting to £l2 12s were passed for payment. A letter was’read from Mr J. S. Jessep, of the Meat Board, expressing regret that he was unable to; accept the invitation to deliver an address in Oamaru on the merger question, owing to pressure upon his time. Mr Jessep pointed out that he had already stated his attitude upon the < uestion through the press.—The secretary stated that he had also written to Mr James Begg, of Dunedin, inviting him to deliver an address, but so far no reply had been received. The Immigration Department intimated that farm labourers were arriving by certain steamers. The Dominion Secretary forwarded a communication in regard to the proposed revision of the tariff. —The chairman, in answer to«. a question, stated that agricultural machinery would be affected by the new tariff. The schedule was to be considered next week by the Dominion Executive of the Union. —Mr Cameron expressed the view that there should be no duty on reapers and binders, as these could not be manufactured in the Dominion. —Mr Ross asked if the Farmers’ Union was represented cn the Chamber of Commerce. —Mr Cameron said' the masters of commerce did not want farmers on this body.— Mr Borrie mentioned that at the show in his district binder twine was selling at a lower price than in Oamaru. The owner of the store was advised bv the merchants that unless he increased the price to the same as that of Oamaru he would not be supplied with further twine.—lt was mentioned by members that the fixation of prices did not affect twine alone. It affected almost everything consumed on the farm. —Mr W. Forrester thought the delegate to the conference in Wellington should be given a lead, but it was decided that the delegare should be given a free hand. A letter was read from the North Canterbury branch, asking for information concerning the quahtity of oats that would be available in the coming season. It was pointed out that a large portion of last season’s crop was still in the stack.—Mr Cameron -thought the farmers should take up the same attitude in regard to the dumping of oats as they did in regard to wheat.—The Chairman agreed with this view.—lt was decided that an estimate of the prospects be given, and that the North Canterbury executive be referred to the Statistical Department for further information. .

Mr J. B. Chapman, of Lower Waitaki, asked for the support of the union in securing a telephone service for that district at •a reasonable rate. He pointed out that a minimum - rate of £lO for a party line had been asked, arid he thought this was too high.—Mr Cameron pointed out that the attempt to form a branch of the union at Waitaki South had not yet been successful.—lt was decided that the chairman, Mr Murray, and Mr Cameron interview Mr Chapman with a view to rendering what assistance may be possible. Mr R.. Hollows, of Catlins River, forwarded information in regard to fencing posts.—Received. The Secretary reported that members of the staff of the Agricultural Department had been in North Otago investigating the disease known as “Take-all.” An article upon the subject had. been published in the papers. —Mr D. Rodger said the disease was still spreading.—The Chairman stated that it had been arrested in some parts. The theory of the departmental officers that the disease did not appear on fallowed land had been disproved. He cited cases where the disease had appeared on fallowed land, and not on land that had been twice successively cropped.—Mr W. Forrester pointed out that the Agricultural Department had been experimenting in regard to the disease, but the results of its experiments had not reached them. —The Chairman stated that the report published by Mr Duff did not give them much information.—No action- was taken. Mr D. Cameron was appointed delegate of the executive to the conference in Wellington. RAM LAMBS. Mr G. Ruddenklau mentioned at the meeting of the Farmers’ Union in Oamaru on Friday that the freezing companies in Otago and Southland had decided to reject ram lambs offered alive at the freezing works. Mr Ruddenklau thought this action was precipitate. He considered that the farmers should have been advised of the decision earlier in the season. Mr D. J. Ross said the matter had been mentioned at the Meat Board Conference, but ho was not aware that a resolution had been passed. The Chairman (Mr Meek) agreed with Mr Ruddenklau that notice should have been given the farmers earlier. The young ram lamb was not bad eating. He was ot opinion that the ram lambs should . be slaughtered and held at the owner’s risk. He moved that it be a recommendation to the South Island freezing companies that the ram lambs be slaughtered and held at the owner’s risk. The resolution was seconded and carried unanimously. ATLANTIC SALMON. x In reference to the discredited report that Atlantic salmon have recently been seen in the Oamaru harbour, it may be mentioned that the first fish of this variety introduced to New Zealand waters were imported by the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society. A few hundred small fish were liberated in a tributary of the Waitaki River. What became of these fish is not known, but it is presumed they

migrated, as none of them has been seen for many years. The Government subsequently imported Atlantic salmon, and liberated them in a southern river; from whence they reached Lake Te Anau. Here they have rapidly increased, and have supplied ova from which the Wairati, Wanganui, and others rivers have been stocked. A WARM WEEK. . The past week in North Otago has been characterised by warm summer weather, which has hardened off the cereal crops and brought the harvest appreciably nearer. In almost every part of the district Algerian oats may now be seen cither in stook or stack. The harvesting of hay is practically completed, and ryegrass, clover, and other grass seeds are now being harvested. The cutting of Garton oats will be commenced in a week or two, and several small patches of earlysown wheat will be ready for the reaper and binder before the middle of next month. Mr D. Clark, of Totara, cut a paddock of Dreadnought wheat this week. The harvesting of wheat in general will not be in progress until about the end of February. The prospects are not nearly as good as they were a couple of months ago, as “take-all” has made heavy inroads, and large areas have been flattened out by the weather. Rape and turnip crops are looking well, and in some cases are ready to be eaten off. The supply of cream to the dairy factories is slowly diminishing dwing to the dry conditions. CRICKET. The glorious uncertainty of cricket was again well demonstrated on Saturday. In the previous week’s game Albion had scored 182, and Union had lost five wickets for 101. On resuming this was increased to 166 before the sixth wicket union looked to have an easy task. A rot, however, set in, and the last four men added only seven runs, so that Albion were left with a lead of eight runs. In their second effort at the wickets the Albion side collapsed, the whole team scoring only 37, of which C. Brooker contributed 19. Union then knocked off the 46 runs required to win with the loss of three wickets. During the day M'Donald secured the coveted century, this being his second three-figure innings this season. • 1 a i, • ® ea th b e also bowled unchanged in Albion s second strike. Another feature ot the game was the excellent wicketkeeping on both sides. Jacobs, for Albion gave only one bye in the first innings’ and Crone but five in the second innings One bye was scored by Albion and none by Union. Also each keeper must be ci edited with taking two neat catches.

HARVEST YIELDS. - £ 1 8 °? d of , speculation has been indulged m over the prospective yield of wheat and oats in North Otago this season. Inis speculation can serve no rurpose, and may haA a the effect of creating an entirely erroneous impression concerning pie resources of the district. After visiting many parts of the grain-growing area, the representative of the Dailv limes is satisfied that the yield of wheat will be diminished to a considerable extent a s a result of the ravages of “take all borne of the crops have also been flattened out, but with modern farming appliances and fine warm weather such as that recently experienced, the loss on tins account will not be considerable. In parts of the district the wheat crop will j?o well over 40 bushels to the acre. In some cases, indeed, it is estimated that the yield will be as high as 60 bushels. Despite the toll made bv disease, there is every reason to think that the average yield ner acre will be well over 30 bushels, while the increased area under wheat will result in a heavier aggregate production than last year. Although the oat crops are badly affected with rust in some parts of the district, the yield is expected to be quite up to the average. Barley has not done so well, and has suffered a good deal from “take all.” REDCASTLE COLLEGE. The official opening of the Christian L-others College at Redcastle takes place on Sunday next. A special train is to be run from Dunedin for the occasion. Visitors by train will be given luncheon at the railway refreshment room. A strong committee of ladies is providing afternoon tea. Several thousand people, including many high church dignitaries, are expected to participate in what promises to be an historical function. PERSONAL. The Rev G. F. Stockwell has returned from a holiday visit to Southland. . Mr James M’Diarmid, Mayor of Oamaru is about to leave with Mrs M‘Diarmid for an extended motor tour of the North Island. Miss Annie J. Connell, of Hilderthorpe, has been appointed a teacher under the Nelson Education Board, and left last week to take up her duties. GENERAL. The Waitaki Electric Power Board has a quantity of goods on the damaged steamer Northumberland. An interruption of the electrio light in North Otago was recently caused by a thrush making contact between a line’and an earth guard. FAT STOCK PRICES. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board advises that the following prices were offering for fat stock for export on January 28, 1927:— „„H aw k e ’s Bay.—Prime woolly lambs: 361 b and under, BJd; 371 b to 421 b, 7id; 431 b and over, 7d; second quality lambs, 74d. Wellington.—Prime woolly lambs, 361 b and -.;nder, BJd; 371 b to 421 b, 7jd; 431 b and over, 7d; second quality lambs, 7|d; prime wethers: 561 b and under, 54d; 571 b to 641 b, 4|d; 651 b to 721 b, 4Jd; ewes: 561 b and under, 3Jd; 571b/to 641 b, 3d. Canterbury and North Otago.—Primo woolly lambs: 361 b and under, 371 b to 421 b, 8d; 431 b and over, 7d; second quality lambs, 73d; Prime wethers, 561 b and under, 54d; 571 b to 641 b, sd; Gslb to 721 b, 4Jd; ewes, 481 b and under, 34d: 491 b to 641 b, 3}d. ..