MEAT MERGER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 23

MEAT MERGER.

Mr James Begg, of Dunedin, a, member of the Meat Producers’ Board, addressed a meeting of farmers in the Waitaki County Council Chambers on Friday afternoon on the subject of the meat merger. The chair was occupied by Mr R. B. Meek. The chairman expressed regret that there was not a larger attendance, and explained that farmers were busily engaged on their farms. Mr Begg expressed pleasure at seeing so many farmers present. He stated that there were two sides to every question. While he was a strong advocate of the meat merger, he fully _ realised that there were great difficulties in the way. Ho pointed out that the two members of the Meat Board who should have all the available information at their disposal were Messrs Jones (chairman) and Jessop (vice-chairman). It might seem strange, but it was nevertheless a fact, that these two gentlemen had arrived at conclusions that were diametrically opposed on the subject of the meat merger. Mr Begg traced the formation of farmers’ organisations with the object of meeting proprietory competition. There was no doubt that there were at present too many freezing companies in the Dominion. Mr Jones stated that if there were a danger of combinations for the exploitation of the producers, the Meat Board would step in and prevent it. He (Mr Begg) did not agree with Mr Jones. He feared that the board would be unable to prevent exploitation. The board had admitted the clanger Of monopoly by its treatment of Borthwicks over the proposed purchase of the Wellington Meat Company’s works. Mr Begg argued that if the outside freezing firms were good enough for one part of the Dominion, they should be good enough for others. They could not have it both ways. He pointed out that iq, South America the companies had a monopoly, and the farmers had' to accept whatever the companies might offer them. They did not wish to have this sort of thing. The merger scheme was conceived with the object of preventing company monopoly. It was proposed to issue debentures to the value of £6,000,000. and to run the works so that the interest would bo paid by savings and economies. There were, however, certain dangers that presented themselves, but these could bo met successfully if the

farmers appointed reliable staffs. The proposal under the meat merger was that there lhould.be no speculative buying, but purely freezing for export. Mr Begg thought that sufficient saving could be effected to pay off the cost of the works in the course of « few years. He explained that the system of rebates that was at present in operation at the works was opposed to the best interests of the producers. He ventured the opinion that if the works were controlled under the merger scheme there would be no rebates. The difference between the London parity and the New Zealand price was never so close as at present. This could not continue. They could, however, secure as near to the London parity as possible Mr Begg did not follow Mr Jones in his apprehension that if the merger was introduced, Borthwick’s and other big firms would retire from New Zealand. These firms could not afford to retire, as they ■ must have meat. What the speaker did regard in a seridusi light was the question of the management of a very big concern. But the difficulties here were not insuper- . able. In any case, the risk was not as great as that of exploitation under the existing conditions. Mr Begg explained the methods that were being employed in connection with works in the south with which he was ■ associated. Many farmers were stating that if they did not get a certain price for their lambs they would ship on their own account. After all, what the farmers should expect to receive was the London parity for their stock. In conclusion - ; Mr Begg emphasised the danger of the meat industry getting into the hands of a few people in. the Dominion, and of the producers being exploited. In answer to a question by Mr W. Forrester, it was stated by Mr Begg that the whole of the works in the Dominion were included in the proposed merger. Mr J. E. Austin asked what saving would be effected if, say, five or six works in Canterbury were closed doivn. Mr Begg replied that the saving would be very substantial. Mr Austin: Would it not pay interest on the cost of the purchase of the works? Mr Begg said be could not say,-but he knew that the saving would *be very large.

Mr Tallentine asked how it was proposed to raise the £6,000.000 that was required. Mr Begg said the money would be raised by debentures, with security over the works. If the interest was not paid, there would have to be increased charges for killing all round. But he apprehended that if there were careful management there would be a reduction in charges. Mr J. G. Macdonald asked if it was not the duty of the Meat Board to prevent sheep from going from jne district to another. Why should not the board ship the whole of the meat on its own account? Mr Begg thought it undesirable that sheep should go from one district to another.. He was one of the sufferers from this. He could not, however, see how the board could intervene. The board had at present the power to purchase the sheep and ship them. But he would not favour the board exercising this power. In answer to a question whether the merger scheme provided for freedom being given to all foreign companies to operate. Mr Begg replied that it did. Borthwicks and all other companies would be permitted to buy on the hoof and have the sheep slaughtered. Mr D. J. Roes asked if producers had not at present the’same right of shipping on their own account as they would possess under the merger. .Mr Begg relied that they had the same right, but they had to suffer from the rebate system. Mr Austin mentioned that he had had an experience of this when shipping on his own account. Mr J. R. M'Culloch said it appeared to him that the question for consideration was whether the farmers would have the right to ship on their own account if’the works fell into the. hands of a monopoly. Mr Begg replied that this was undoubtedly the case. Mr A. Murray asked why different prices should be paid for A grade mutton in different parts of the Dominion. He could — not understand why this should be so. Mr Begg stated that this problem, with that of the weight of sheep, had been difficult to solve. The fact was that there was a demand in Britain for all classes of meat.

A questioner asked whether Mr Begg’s company had been boycotted by the °big firms.

Mr Begg replied that he did not know whether the boycotting was on the part of his firm or the big firms. It was true that since his firm had refused to give rebates, none of the big firms had put their stock through the works. Mr Austin would like to know if there was at present competition in the Dominion. It did not appear as if it were so, for immediately there was an increase or decline in prices, all firms were affected. Mr Begg thought that, in spite of what was said, there vias keen competition in the Dominion. Mr D. J. Ross suggested that it would be m the interests of the Dominion that the Meat Board should buy the meat on the hooks at the works, and Mr Austin agreed with this view. ' Mr Begg said he agreed that there was something in this proposal, but it would be difficult to put into effect. Mr A. Murray moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Begg for his address. Mr Murray said he was in favour of the merger, but his only doubt was that raised by Air Jones in regard to the findinir of 'the capital Mr Begg said he had the assurance of Mr Buckleton, general manager of the Bank of New Zealand, that the finance would be forthcoming. The vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. Mr Begg, in acknowledging the compliment, said he was not wedded to the merger scheme to the exclusion of all others, but he did- think the producers should take steps to protect themselves against the exploitation that might result from monopoly.

THE NORTH ISLAND. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The ordinary’ routine of the North Island has been much upset by the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, and it was difficult to concentrate ’ on work. Work, as a matter of fact, hardly came into . the scheme of things, everybody seemingly being anxious to visit city or town favoured by our Royal guests. Farmers and their families entered fully into the spirit of things, and attested their loyalty to the Empire by joining in the welcomes extended to the representatives. The weather has, on the whole, been very’ good, and from a farmer’s point of view could hardly be bettered. The recent showers of rain have freshened up pastures and caused renewed supplies of milk and cream to the factories. These had decreased very’ considerably of late owing to the dryn-ss of the feed, but during the past week dairying took on a new lease of life, and the season is going to be a most prolific one from an output point of view. It ,'s r. great pity that the prices do not correspond. If the market at Home had been good for New Zealand butter this Dominion would have enjoyed a record season. Farmers are becoming very disheartened, and consider that the time has arrived for the Prime Minister to make some pronouncement on the matter. While milk supplies have kept up well, it has been reported that turnip flavours are now being detected. Cream graders, immediately they detect the flavour, bring down the grade to second, and it is therefore up to all dairymen to be careful of the feeding system. One expert, ,'n dealing with the question, said he was not prepared to go to the extreme lengths advocated by some factory’ managers, who were of opinion that turnip feeding should be prohibited absolutely. If this drastic course were adopted, he considered that it would be tantamount, in some districts, to telling dairy farmers they should dry off their cows in March. Turnips, if fed with care and in moderation,_ need not taint the milk to any appreciable extent, but the great menace was a careless farmer who turned his cows into the turnip paddock. This should not be done on any account, he said. The turnips should be pulled and allowed to wilt for at least 24 hours; when they should be fed in moderation to the herd. Some farmers, it was remarked, preferred to feed them after the night milking only, but others divided the ration

into two small portions, giving a little after each milking. The great essential, in his opinion, is that there should be ample feed of other descriptions to go with the turnips, so that the cows would have a properly balanced ration. Fortunately there has been abundant teed, and if farmers will only exercise the greatest care in feeding to their stock there should be no trouble in the direction indicated. HERD-TESTING. The North Taranaki Herd-testing Association has completed returns for the past month with the following summarised results. Tikorangi returns were for the period ending February 9.

GREEN PASTURES AT GISBORNE. A visitor to Poverty Bay affirms that the flats have never looked better, and the abundance of feed illustrates the remarkable manner in which the district can recover from a serious drought. Dairymen find that their production has been steadily mounting during the past three months, and the season is going to be an excellent one in regard to output. Maize paddocks are looking exceedingly well. DAIRY RESEARCH. Following conferences with the Board of Scientific and Industrial research, it was resolved by the Dairy Control Board this week to co-operate with that body, and to urge the importance of research in regard to dairy produce manufacture, the scheme under discussion involves the co-operation of the Department of Agriculture, the New Zealand Agricultural College Council and other scientific bodies which can undertake the necessary work. It has been decided to enter New Zealand dairy ..produce at the London Dairy Show after some years of abstention due to the fact that the show is held at a time which makes it difficult to stage New Zealand entries. The board has approved of a scheme under which a number of New Zealand factories will be asked to enter for the show, and to manufacture their exihibits at the same time as those intended for competition at the New Zealand winter show. The board will purchase the whole of the exhibits, and its officers will test them on arrival in England, elimihating entries which are not regarded as of sufficiently high grade to meet competition from the dairy produce of the world. Though the exhibit will be staged as that of New Zealand, there will be private marks on each item, enabling dairy factories which have manufactured the prize-winning exhibits to know of their Success, and they will receive the prize. Reports on the registration of New Zealand dairy produce mark, the fernleaf, show that registration is completed in

England, but that difficulties have arisen in Canada and the United States, and that the position there is being further investigated. RECORD DAIRY OUTPUT. In every province the increase of dairy produce is being well maintained, and there is no doubt that the season 1926-27 will occupy a prominent place in the history of dairying in the Dominion. Hawke’s Bay province there was a tailing off in the earlier months of the season, owing to climatic conditions, but later months revealed a big improvement, until at February 28 the butter sent to Ahuriri for grading showed an increase of 449 boxes on the previous season, and the cheese an increase of 437 crates. Six months of the season in Hawke s Bay have been completed, and in that period 32,973 boxes have been d’, le total for last season being J 2,024 boxes. As to cheese, this season’s grading has reached 1315 crates, whereas at of February last year the total was 978 crates. The monthly figures- for butter, covering this and last season, are as follows: —

During February shipments totalled 4535 boxes of butter taken by the Matatua, and 444 crates of cheese taken by the Port Bowen and the Corinthic. Remaining in store now awaiting shipment are 8714 boxes of butter and 508 crates of cheese. It is anticipated that the Mainioa will lift some of this produce by March 18, whilst the Mahia will also call at Napier some time later to lift produce for Home. In the Auckland province a wonderful dairy season has been experienced. Since the beginning of July up to February 28, totals of 1,401,488 boxes of butter and 127,350 crates of cheese have been received into store, compared with 1,221,353 boxes' and 118,586 crates in the corresponding period of the previous season. The increases are 179,935 boxes in the case of butter, and 8764 crates in the '-case of cheese.

The great increase in production over the previous season, however, becomes more apparent when the figures are reduced to terms of butter-fat. So far this season, the output has amounted .to 73,501«5361b of butter-fat, an increase of no less than 8,982,7851 b over that of the same period of the 1925-26 season, when the production amounted to 64,518,7511 b. It is interesting to note that cheese manufactured in the province amounted to only about an eighth of the quantity of butter pro duccd. In the current season, 65,860,5361 b of butter-fat have been used for the manufacture of butter, cheese absorbing- the remaining 7,641,6001 b. Last season the proportion was about the same, butter absorbing 57,403,591ib of butter-fat, and cheese 7,115,1691 b. Tlie following table shows the monthly receipts of butter at the grading stores for the first seven months of the current season and its two predecessors:— 1926-27. 1925-26. 1924-25. Boxes. Boxes. Boxes. Julv 9,815 9,706 14,435 August 48,497 43,466 48,569 September .. .. 125,383 111,226 121,968 October 209,097 183,459 205,457 November .. .. 258,099 220,950 234,891 December .. .. 296,033 263,163 259,257 January 246,152 203,927 244,384 February .. .. 208,211 185,456 186,240 Total .. .. 1,401,287 1,221,3531,315,192 The table emphasises how December, is the flush month of the Auckland dairying season, the production totals increasing tnat month amd then declining. ABERDEEN ANGUS BREEDERS.

A meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Aberdeen Angus Cattle Breeders’ Association was held at Hastings during the week. Mr W. Kinross White was appointed delegate to represent, the association at, the conference of the Royal Agricultural Society. Five new members were elected and two resignations were received. There is an increase in the number in the Herd Book this year over last year of 109, the total number of entries being 872. A special committee of three Hawke's Bay members was set up to deal with matters outside the ordinary routine, and with cases of emergency. A letter was received from the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society, Aberdeen, donating a silver medal for competition during 192 v. This medal has been allocated to the Royal Show for best animal of the breed. It was decided that the annual sale and judging competition be held this year '*l the same lines as in 1926. It was also dedecided that the maximum number of entries of each sex from any one member be increased from five to six. In view of having received a letter from an A. and P. Association asking whether the person who mates the animals or the owner of the dam at date of calf’s birth is the breeder of that animal, and in view of the fact that this association has no ruling on the matter, it was thought advisable to write the Scottish Society for their ruling. GOATS ON BLACKBERRY. A settler in the Wairoa district reports great work done by Angora goats on blackberry. It is considered astonishing what “Mr B’llv Goat” will do to the blackberry provided that he is kent in a paddock not too large and heavily stocked with sheep. WELCOME RAIN IN HAWKE’S BAY. There was a very heavy fall of rain on Sunday last, and it-came in time to assist a new growth before the autumn becomes established and while the soil is yet warm. The rainfall was greatly appreciated by those farmers who have just sustained heavy losses in rape and turnip crops through the ravages of the moth. The steady downpour was also gladly welcomed by others’ who, having

no crops to lose, require autumn growth on their farms to assist in. carrying the stock through the approaching winter. UNSETTLED BUTTER MARKET. ' Considerable uneasiness is being felt at the trend of the London butter market, and, according to latest advices, only Is a lb is to be advanced on butter and 6d on cheese. The butter advance has dropped 2d a lb. The disturbing feature is that though the price of butter has decreased at Home there is no increase in demand. In the meanwhile stocks in 7: cold store arc accumulating, which must be making the importers who have pro* vided th? finance feel rather anxious. Uj Apparently there are many adverse possibilities in the situation. TARANAKI SHOW. . ■ The 51st annual show of the Taranaki A. and P. Association was held on Wednes- - . day and Thursday, and passed off most successfully. Dairy cattle were the predominating feature, the show being responsible for a magnificent display of -Ayrshires, which took pride of place, though Jerseys, which are always a strong section in North Taranaki, proved that it is a force that can hold its own in the dairy world of Taranaki. There was a very strong pig section this year, all the leading breeders of Taranaki, as well as prominent Hawke’s Bay breeders, being in competition. The entries of pigs numbered over 130. The champion prize list is as follows:— Milking Shorthorn. —Bull: H. C. Belcher’s (Eltham) Pukerimu Standard III; reserve: W. B. Bootten’s (Rawhitiroa) Belted Knight of Cornwall Park. Cows: W. P. Bootten’s Shawfield Bell; reserve: W. P. Bootten’s Shawfield Snowflake.

Pedigree Friesian.—Bull, C. W. Baldwin and Sons’ (Ngatoro) ' L'ebrina Pietertje Wayne; reserve: Wood Bros.’ (Tikorangi) Woodlands Snowball. Cow: H. Johnson and Sons’ (Stratford) Segis Lady Waihi; reserve: Smart and Sons’ (Tikorangi) Lebrina Princess de Koi. Pedigree Ayrshires.—Bull: W. Hall’s (Lepperton) Dominion Lockhart; reserve: P. Bremer’s (Okaiawa) Glencairn Craigellachie. Cow: F. W. Weston’s (Uruti) Queen Mary of Heather Dells; reserve: Fred Mills's (Hawera) Awamoa Peggy Bolt. Pedigree Jersey.—Bull: Harry Salway’s (Bell Block) Victor’s Handsome Prince; reserve: Harry Salway’s Fury’s Noble Boy. Cow: Mentone Jerseys’ (Te Tawa) Meadowvale Perfect Day; reserve: H. C. Sampson’s (Hillsborough) Viola's Lady Mercedes. English Leicester. —Ram: J. H. Allen and Son (Tikorangi); reserve: J. H. Allen and Son. Ewes: J. H. Allen and Son; reserve: J. 11. Allen and Son. Southdown.—Ram: W. C. Weston (New Plymouth); reserve: W. C. Weston. Ewes: A. A. Verry (Waitotara). Romney Marsh.-—Ram: Blair and Hunter (Maxwelltown); reserve: C. H. Weston (New Plymouth). Ewe: Blair and Hunter; reserve: Blair and Hunter. Berkshire.—Boar: H. F. Wren’s (Hawera) Meadow Mascot; reserve: Jas. Pills’s (Hawera) Meadow Maori Star. Sow: Don Stewart's (Normanby) Normanby Jewel; reserve: H. F. Wren’s (Hawera). Tamworth.—Boar: H. B. ’ Benton’s (Auroa and Hawera) Tawena Rufus III; reserve: F. Ogle’s (Normanby) Austin Tilby; reserve: F. Ogle’s Springdale Frances. Yorkshire.—Boar: J. H. Allen’s (Tikorangi) Honeyvale’s Silver King; reserve: J. H. Allen’s Oakdale’s Modern King. Sow: J. H. Allen’s Lucerndale’s White Queen I; reserve: J. H. Allen’s Oakdale’s Lady B. Large White.—Boar: Bowen and Wilson (Hastings) Dominion Fitzroy; reserve: R. W. D. Robertson (New Plymouth) Lucerndale Excelsior 11. Sow: Bowen and Wilson’s Jerseyholm Baroness V; reserve: Oliver Robertson’s (Matapu) Lucerndale’s Taranaki Maid.

THE BUTTER POSITION.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN. ACCUMULATIONS IN ENGLAND. WELLINGTON, March 3. \vhen questioned yesterday in regard to the butter position, Mr J. B. Mac-Ewan, the head of the firm bearing his name’ replied promptly that he thought it presented occasion for grave concern, if not for actual alarm. The most disturbing feature of the situation, he said, was that, while Australia and the Argentine were quitting their shipments practically as they came to hand, New Zealand was accumulating stocks at a most disturbing rate. At the end of February, only two days before, thwe was no unsold Argentine butter in London, and only 23,500 boxes of unsold Australian, which was merely a few days’ sunnly. On the other hand, there was an accumulation of 400,000 boxes of New Zealand butter in store. This could mean only that the distributors, retailers, and consumers, for some reason or other, were looking with less favour upon New Zealand butter in store than upon Australian and Argentine. Danish butter, of course, was sold from day to day, and other northern supplies were not yet on the market in any quantities. There were other significant facts which Mr Mac Ewan stated without comment. The estimated stock of New Zealand controlled butter in London on February 28 was 8750 tons, and of uncontrolled 1250 tons —a total of 10,000 tons, or 16-J per cent, of the season’s estimated shipment of 60,000 tons. The estimated arrivals for March, April, and May were respectively 8750 tons, 7750 tons, and 6250 tons, which, .added to the butter in stock on Februarv 28, made a grand total of 32,750 tons, or 544 per cent, of the Dominion’s esti ated total export. The sales of butter” up "to February 18 amounted to 9500 tons, an average of 650 tons per week, but, with the 17,000 tons estimated to arrive after May 31, there would be 49,752 tons to sell between February 18 and the end of the season. To effect a clearance of this huge total it would have to be moved off at the rate of 2000 tons a week, and this in. face of the spring and summer, production in the Northern Hemisplwre. In' other words, the sales would have to bo l

increased' by 300 per cent, to avoid~a heavy carry-over, and the inevitable de- r terioration in quality and decline in value. “Fdo not want to add further fuel to the l old controvei-sj l - over compulsion,” Mr Mac Ewan said in closing the interview. “The. position is too serious for us to be. Quarrelling between ourselves. It is obvious,' however, that our marketing arrangements have gone wrong, and that something must be done to avert a . catastrophe. Our butter, much improved in quality as everyone admits, - instead of gaining ground -in popular favour and challenging the supremacy of Denmark, is losing ground. The Prime Minister- still has .to tell us of the result of his observations in London, and, meanwhile, we must possess our souls in patience, but it is to be hoped that at the earliest possible moment, in the interests of the producers and their industry, Mr Coates will apply himself earnestly to some sound remedy for an extremely unsatisfactory state of affairs.”

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. At a meeting qf the Nestle Company Suppliers’ Association, Warnabool, Victoria, recently the president said that one of the chief ingredients of margarine was the product of black labour in Asia, and it was imported free of duty. About 10,000 tons of margarine were used in Australia annually and displaced that amount of butter. Canada had prohibited the manufacture and sale of the product. It was decided to urge dairymen to follow Canada’s footsteps. According to returns compiled by the Department of Markets and Migration, in regard to the various grades of butter exported from Australia, the total percentage of choicest and first-grade butters shipped during the 1925-26 season was over 78 per cent., and in the present season it had increased to nearly 88 per cent. The percentages of the different grades exported during the season from July 1 of last year to January 29 were choicest grade 71.3, first-grade 16.5, second 8.6, .third 3.4, and pastry grade 0.2. It is stated officially that the figures indicated that the total of the percentages I of choicest and first-grade butters exported in the season 1925-26 was more, than 78 per cent., and that in the present season to date this percentage had increased to -nearly 88 per cent. The biggest road tractor in Australia is owned and operated by Mr F. Bottrill. who recently carted his wheat with it in the Western District. The tractor weighs 45 tons, and with two trailing trucks can load nearly 1000 bags of wheat at one trip. The whole train cost £9OOO. The especially designed caterpillar wheels enable the 62 horse-power crude oil engine to climb over sandhills where horses cannot pull an empty dray. The crane carried on the engine can load or unload the train eight bags at a time. Travelling at a mile an hour (the pace-of a team of bullocks), the. tractor transports its wheat at a cost to the shipper of -Id 'a bag a mile. . When no haulage is offering the tractor *. used for clearing. The devastating effect Of a blight that lias attacked blueguih plantations in the Rangitikei district is only too apparent to the traveller between Palmerston North and Wanganui (states an exchange). Thousands of gums stand leafless and practically dead, to mar the beauty of the pastoral scenes unfolded- bv the wayside. The introduction of ladybirds into the district some considerable time back has produced beneficial result in some instances, but it appears as though a large proportion .of the trees will defy resuscitation by thia means. That the rabhjt pest that once menaced some of the most productive' grazing lands, in the Manavsatu has greatly diminished, is revealed in the annual renort of the Manawatu Rabbit Board. It. is anticipated that at no distant date, with the heart v co-operation of the settlors, the pest will no longer threaten ini an alarming manner. It is gratifying to note (says the report) that the majority of the settlers throughout the district recognise the wisdom of combined efforts, consistent with the instructions of the board, which has spared no pains in explaining methods by means or demonstration, and in recommending t h > latest and best means for the destruc--1 ion of the pest. It now only remained for the settlers to continue to act in concert with the board to obtain its objective. At the. last meeting of the Canterbury Sheepowners’ Union the enormous overhead expenses entailed through stock agents having representatives at small country sale., was referred to by a member, and the opinion was expressed that it should be possible for a great saving to he madccan this connection. While the disadvantages were obvious; the difficulty of the position was fully realised by members. and the question was held over for further inquiry by the secretary in conjunction with a cub-committee from the executive. The great disparity between prices for manure top-dressing purposes, etc., as between the North and the South Islands, was d'senssed at a meeting of the Canterbury Sheep Owners’ Union, and the question was referred to- a sub-committee for investigation aiid renort at a later meeting. An American farming journal reports that in one of the large cities the bacterial remit at a dairy which produces certified milk went up without apparent cause, and r*n inspector was called in to locate the

trouble. He saw the cows' washed 'and dried, 1 and flies brushed off them as they were driven to the spotlessly clean room in which they were to be milked by men in snow white uniforms. And as these men sat down on their speckless stools to commence the job, one.,of them was seen to spit, on his hands to moisten the cows’ teats. The offender was “fired” and. the bacterial count went back to normal. It doesn’t sem possibel to make any. system absolutely fool-proof .

Best herd Milk, lb Test. Fat, lb. 1050 5.5 58.16 Worst herd 677 4.4 29.99 Best cow 1545 5.0 77.25 Worst cow 300 3.9 11.70 Average Assn, cow 752 4.8 36.42 The summary for the Waitotoi covered the period ending following results: — February 20, with the Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. Best herd 966 4.9 47.39 Worst herd 637 4.6 29.68 Best cow 1200 5.8 69.60 Worst cow 300 4.0 12.00 Average Assn, cow 691 4.9 34.18 Bell Block summarised results were: — Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. Best herd 850 5.1 44.18 Worst Herd .". 607 5.0 30.44 Best cow 900 6.4 57.60 Worst Cow 270 5.4 14.58 Average Assn, cow 766 4.9 37.56 Lepperton returns were:— Milk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. Best herd 807 5.0 40.75 Worst herd 700 4.3 30.30 Best cow 1170 5.6 65.52 Worst cow 300 5.3 15.90 Average Assn, cow 780 4.7 37.00 Mangorei returns were fo r the oeriod ending February 17, suits: — with the following reMilk, lb. Test. Fat, lb. Best herd 678 5.4 36.61 W orst herd 587 4.3 25.49 Best cow 840 6.2 52.08 Worst cow 75 5.0 3.75 Average Assn, cow 671 4.5 30.65

1925-2G 1926-27 Boxes Boxes September .. 2,315 2,195 October . . 5,514 5,179 November 7 722 7,200 December « - .. 7,810 6,707 January . . 5,198 6,282 - February • • . . 3,965 5,410 Totals . . 32,524 32,973 Tlie cheese gradings are as follows: — * October . . . 73 38 November . .. 209 225 December .. .. 369 329 January . .. 231 263 February . . . 97 460 Total . . .. 978 1315