THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3881, 31 July 1928, Page 20

THE NORTH ISLAND.

(From Oub Own Correspondent.) The prospects for a good lambing are considered by flockmasters to be very bright, the mildness of the season . together with the abundance of good feed being all in favour of sheep. One has only to take a run through the Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Poverty Bay, Mailwatu, Feilding and Wanganui districts to realise just how well stock are looking. Some sheep are carrying very big fleeces now, and they should yield well when the shears go over them. It is to be hoped, of course, that there will not be a setback in weather later on. Many farmers in the southern part of the island are apprehensive. They say that there has been sb little rain, comparatively speaking, that if the law of averages applies, the spring will be converted. into winter, and what we are lacking now will be made up before Christmas, particularly during spring. It is to be hoped that their fears will not be justified. As far as the northern part of the island is concerned they are apparently getting the southern portion’s share of rain. In the Auckland province the fall of rain has been phenomenal, and, in the Thames Valley in particular, the downpour was like a deluge. Floods ip the Ohinemuri district prevailed, and a considerable amount of damage has been recorded. Perhaps' they are getting now what the southern portion will get later on.; If so, flockmasters and their shepherds will have an anxious time looking after and protecting the lambs. Already quite a number of lambs have made their appearance, and they seem such jolly ; little fellows as they scamper about. Prospects for farming - are generally pretty good, and there are many indications of an early spring. Some of the birds are preparing for home building, while trees are just about ready to sprout. With the coming of spring has also come an increased demand for fertilisers, and most districts are going in extensively for topdressing this year. LAMBING IN GISBORNE DISTRICT. Latest reports from the Poverty Bay province show that prospects are bright for a good lambing. The sheep are.looking well at present, .and in most cases there is an abundance of feed. ' So far lambs are making their appearance slowly,

and most of those seen are on the flats. It is expected that by the beginning of next week the lambing period on the flats will have commenced in earnest. On the hill country lambs are not expected until the beginning of August. The early lambs often have to meet severe weather, but - men conversant with the conditions in the Gisborne district aver that there is little danger of mortality after the first three days, unless, of course, the cold is particularly severe and lasts some time. After a v lamb has had its first feed the danger of succumbing is greatly lessened. GOOD BACON. On the occasion of the winter show at Palmerston North his Excelled, y the Governor General was presented with a side of bacon from a pig that had been in cold storage for six months before being cured. That the- gift was acceptable goes w’ithout saying, but it was made '>C doubly so because the quality of the bacon was of such high grade. This fact was emphasised at the New Zealand Farmers’ Conference 'at Wellington. At the opening ceremony his Excellency was called upon to speak, and, in the course of his address, he referred to the Palmerston North gift: “To that pig. and to his breeder and curer,” said his Excellency at the opening of the conference, “ I take off my hat. It was the first really good - bacon I have tasted since I have been in this country. I do not know why bacon cannot be cured in this country as w’dl as it can be at Home, but the fact remains that New Zealand-cured bacon is not up to the same standard. It looks, however, as if the problem is nearing solution.” TARANAKI’S DAIRY PRODUCE. Judging by latest figures available, it would appear as if the season’s output of 21,000 tons of dairy produce for Taranaki up to June 30 falls short of the previous year’s output by 443 tons, the slight decrease being due mainlj’ to the abnormally dry season experienced. However, the returns have not affected the feelings of the dairymen, and throughout Taraniki optimism concerning the future prevails. This is no doubt due to the good prices being obtained and the fact that the very mild -winter has been responsible for dairy cattle being in the pink of condition. Between June and July a decided increase in both butter and cheese graded has been recorded when compared with last season’s corresponding figures, so that the ’new dairy year has had. a good kick off. Prices, as already indicated, are very good, and

aa stock are “ coming in ” splendidly the outlook is unquestionably a very bright one. DAIRYINC IN CISBORNE DISTRICT. The dairy season in the Gisborne district has been a good one, as figures revealed in the twenty-sixth annual report of the Kia Ora Co-operative Dairy Company show that, after making provision for depreciation, the year’s operations resulted in a net surplus of £23,012 8s Bd, which, with the balance brought forward from last year, £147 2s Bd, makes available for distribution an amount of £23,159 Ils 4d. Directors recommend, the payment of a dividend on paid-up capital at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum, absorbing £863 9s 2d; a further payment of shareholders, absorbing £22,193 7s 3d. making a total average payment of 18.28 d per lb; leaving a balance to carry for--ward of £lO2 14s lid. The total butter manufactured during the season was 970 tons Bcwt 2qr 181 b. It willbe of interest to compare the monthly production as compared with the previous season, the figures being as follows:—

J FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. One question discussed at the Farmers’’ Conference was that of foot-and-mouth disease. ‘ ' Mr T. Currie, of Wanganui, in bringing the question of foot-and-mouth disease before the conference, said he would like

to make it plain that he was in no way -reflecting on the Agricultural Department or the Government. In fact, they deserved to be commended for the way the regulations had kept the disease out. He was opposed, however, to any’ risk being taken that would allow the disease to come into New Zealand. He had noticed that the disease was pretty’ bad in the Argentine. The disease wolud carry in the bone of au affected animal, even though killed, from 60 to 80 days after. The conference should be behind the department in any action taken to keep foot-and-mouth disease out of the Dominion. The following remits relating to the subject were then carried:—“ That in view of the importance to the Dominion of the dairying and cattle industry generally’, the Government and Agricultural Department be again asked to take all possible precautions to prevent the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease. That the Government,be commended for what has been done in the past with regard to foot-and-mouth disease, and asked that no relaxa l tion be -allowed.” FARMERS’ UNION CONFERENCE. One of the most important events of the week has been the Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union held at Wellingtou. Some big . quesions have been discussed, and the fate of the various remits has been appearing in the daily’ papers.

1927-8. 1926-7. lb. lb. ' July 20,049 9,327 August . . 51,109 31,957 September 144,841 100,941 October 254,283 183,902 November 291,518 207,453 December 292,255 216.601 January 278,489 215,016 „ February 206,744 151,254 March 214,070 151,977 April 203,480 118,343 May 149,328 67,649 JunV 67,497 30,069