THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3888, 18 September 1928, Page 24

THE NORTH ISLAND.

(From Ovb Own Correspondent.) STORMY CONDITIONS. The North Island, from one end to the other, was swept by a fierce gale at last week-end, and a good deal of damage was done, besides the.loss of many lambs The gale was particularly heavy in the southern part of Hawke’s Bay province, Dannevirke, Takapau, Waipukurau, and Waipawa coming in for a very bad turn. Several properties were damaged, such as the unroofing of buildings, levelling of fences, etc., and for some hours Waipawa, faring very badly, was a good place to be out of. Along the west coast weather conditions were also very severe. On Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, and on Sunday very heavy hailstorms prevailed, and matters were as unpleasant as they could be. After clearing up, the weather became pleasant, and at the time of writing conditions were quite normal. A good many lambs died during the severity of the storm, but probably more lambs have been killed by wild pigs On some of the holdings in the back country, where bush land favours the habitats of wild porkers, farmers have been much worried over the pig menace Some of the herds become most daring, and their attack on the lambs seem to have been really planned. However, farmers have made some effort to rid the country of the destructive lambeating pests, and guns have accounted for a good many boars, some of which had huge tusks. One farmer informed me that several of his dogs had been badly maimed in a fight with pigs, but the activities of dog and gun had accounted for a few hundred snouts, upon which the Government "will pay. The majority of farmers in all dairying districts have now all their cows in profit, and cream lorries and dairy factories are once again constantly employed.

WANGANUI WOOLLEN MILLS. Wanganui Woollen Mills had a verv trying and anxious time during the 192627 years of trading, but the past yeai showed signs of considerable improvement. The directors report—for the year' ended June 30 —a slack year, “aggravated by the mildness of winter,” but the company’s business has shown considerable expansion. The profit and loss account shows a gross profit of £15,780 8s Id, as compared with £3767 Is 4d for last year, and a net deficiency of £1584 3s Id, as against £15,478 16s 7d last year. Sales increased 38 per cent, this year, despite an unfavourable winter trade.

PROFITABLE WOOL CROWING. I noticed in a recent issue of the Australasian a rather interesting article dealing with the woolen industry, in which it was pointed out that Australian pastoralists have had a period of comparative immunity from criticism as to their methods of wool production lately, -and the reason, is is stated, is not hard

to find. When certain men, in the capacity of mouthpieces for some of the textile manufactory interests of Bradford, broadcasted their views that Australian wool had deteriorated in quality, and had become too broad, they were answered that if sufficient inducements were offered a finer quality wool would be produced, but that growers would naturally concentrate <m raising the most profitable type of sheep. In the face of irrefutable evidence, the criticism had to be modified to a certain extent, and it was therefore explained that the complaint was particularly directed at the lack of character in the stronger wools. At the same time, there is no getting away from the fact that the tendency to broadness was deplored. South African superfine wools being held up for favourable comparison. While the tone of the criticism was resented in certain quarters, it actually did no harm: probabl.v it resulted in some good, as its application to “doggy” fibres was apropos. The article goes on to say that pastoralists, on their side,-can view the outcome of the discussion with complacency, especially when their contention finds verification in a journal such as the “ Wool Record and Textile World,” of which Mr S. B. Rollings is one of the joint editors. Writing under the heading, “Tendencies in Crossbred Wool Production.” "J.A.IL.” after pointing out that the finer quality crossbred wool appears to be coming into favour, concludes: “The woolgrower, in an attempt to get the biggest return possible from his flock, is tending to produce slightly finer wool in crossbreds and big. heavy fleece of medium quality in merinos. The forces of consumption (expressed in price) and production (conditioned by breeding developments and land), will continue to affect each other, but just at the present time it seems as if the tendency of both users and growers is to favour 58’s to 64’s as the most useful qualities. Curiously enough, at the recent sales in London and in Bradford, these qualities were relatively the dearest and scarcest.” BIG FRIGE FOR BEEF. Beef cattle have come into their own again, and some big prices are being realised. For instance, a bullock from Northern Wairoa was purchased at Westfield on Wednesday for £37. and the owners. Stnne Bros., propose sending the animal to the Royal Show at Palmerston North. His weight is 27001 b, and he would produce a carcass of about 20001 b. The bullock is eight years old. There was much interest in the sale of this animal, one farmer remarking that war prices were back again. It was recalled that once during the war a bullock “ broke ” £4O at Westfield, but that was probably a “ patriotic ” sale. Probably the highest standard Westfield beef values ever brought was in the period of the shortage just after the war, when Australia bought largely at rates equivalent to £3 10s per 1001 b.

EXPORT OF INFERIOR MEAT. A very important question was raised at a meeting of the’ Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Society’s meeting last week by the president, Mr R. H. Tod, who referred to the killing of ram lambs for local markets and for export, and he expressed the opinion that it would do no good to the’ high reputation gained nor bring any real profit. The discussion arose out of a letter received from the Meat Export Board, and Mr Tod went on to say that he regretted, in common with most farmers, that the killing of ram lambs seemed to become an increasing practice. Other members expressed themselves similarly, and one of them said that not only were third grade lambs of both sexes now- being killed at one or more works, but fourth grade lambs also. To the speaker’s own knowledge, some farmers, when their lambs had been rejected because of their poorness at one works, took 'them to another, where they were accepted. Though the meeting was almost unanimous in its condemnation of the killing of ram lambs, it was not entirely so, for one or two members expressed their opinion that whatever could be made out of the trade should be made. A motion that ram lambs be put in a grade of their own, however, could not find a seconder. One speaker said he thought it better to leave, matters as they. were. If the importers at Home did not want inferior lambs they would' not buy them, and exporters would find their own punishment. Mr N. Kettle said that nothing should be done that might even to the slightest extent damage our reputation abroad. It was a splendid reputation and should be most carefully protected. He. had been present- in the Home meat markets when poor quality meat was shown, and the remarks passed about it would have discouraged anyone who thought of sending inferior meat to England. Even if a ram lamb were branded as such the buyer in the retail shops at Home would know nothing of it except that it was New Zealand lamb. A motion was tabled, but not carried, that the meeting protest against the killing of third and fourth grade lambs, and it was resolved to express to the Meat Board the society’s agreement with the opinions set out in the board’s letter. It is "interesting to note that a cablegram was published recently which had a direct bearing on this question, referring as it did to the wisdom of the Dominion’s policy of keeping up the grading of animal produce. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW. Breeders will be interested to learn that the prizes have been decided upon by the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board in connection with lamb and pig classes for the forthcoming Royal Show. Fat Lamb Classes. —Class I.—Fat lambs most suitable for the Dominion’s export trade, and the type most desired to keep up our reputation on the London market, each pen to consist of three lambs, each individual lamb in pen not to exceed 721 b live weight, and to be weighed on the show ground by stewards before judging —purebred lambs not allowed to compete. Prizes for the best pens to be awarded as follows: —First prize, £ls; second prize, £10; third prize. £5. Class 2.—A1l the lambs entered in the above class which comply with the above conditions, to be killed and shipped Home to the board’s London manager, who will arrange a special display of them on

the Smithfield Market—the quality of the careasses to be judged by three judges to be appointed by the British Incorporated Society of Meat Importers. Prizes for the best lot of 'three carcasses to be awarded as follows:—First prize, £ls; second prize, £10; third prize, £5. Pigs:—Class I.—Bacon-pigs (any breed or cross breed) most suitable for export and the type most desired by the British trade. Each pen to consist of tjyee PIKS —each individual pig not to exceed 2201 b live weight, and to be weighed on the show grounds by stewards before judging. Prizes for the best pens to be awarded as follows:—First prize, £10; second prize, £5. Class 2.—A1l the bacon pigs entered in the above class (Class 1) which comply with the above conditions to be killed and shipped Home. The board’s London manager will arrange a special display of these bacon pigs on Smithfield Market—the quality of the carcasses to be judged by three competent judges to be appointed by the board. Prizes for the best lot of three carcasses to be awarded as follows.— P r ize. £10; second prize, £5. Class 3.—-Fat porker pigs (any breed or cross-bieed) most suitable for export, and the type most desired on the Smithfield Market. Each pen to consist of three pifrs —each indniduaF-pig not to exceed 1301 b l 6 we tffht. and to be weighed on the show ground by stewards before judging. 1 nzes for the best pens to be awarded as follows:—hirst prize, £10; second prize, xi). - 4—All the above porkers entered c iass (class 3) which comply with the above conditions to be killed and shipped Home. The board’s London manager will arrange a special display o these porkers on the Smithfield Market. bvihr 3 ltj ° f carcasses to be judged bl VJ* 6 judges to lie appointed by the board. Prizes for the best lot oi three carcasses to be awarded as follows:—birst prize, £10; second prize, SHEEP RETURNS, ® a .lgety s Review is always interesting, Yd * lO P r<xluc tion it is stated o a r i5 e ? m the aggregate show a slight falling off. The flocks of the M l , l - 1 ?® 0 '! 63 , 1111 are now put down as head ’,nnn uth compares with 102 960 694 in 1926 and 96,343,098 in 48 mio non e e "' Sout - h , Wales flocks of 48.J00.000 compare with 54.630.000, and 16 U Sfin-7o ds An C ’ s °Ji' 9l3 c° m Pare with 16,860, / 72. All other States show a The Queensland total in 1920 was 20.663,323. The New Zealand figures come out at 27 001 236 mor ™ con, P ared with 25,049.016 ’“ in 1J26. the aggregate Australasian totals are therefore 125,780.421, as compared 128 ’ 608 ’’ 18 in 1826 aud 121.248,091 in 1925.

PRIMARY PRODUCE EXPORTS. i 1 ,0,s °n, New Zealand president of the banners Union, who intends contesting the Stratford seat at the forthcoming election, made a statement in his opening address at Toko that the production of primary industries had not increased in volume during the past five, years. In support of his contention he quoted the following particulars of the amount m hundredweights exported- — 1823< L2ls,ooocwt; ’ 1924. ?’?220?A Cwt; 1825 ’ L37o,OOOcwt; 1926. 1,156,000 cwt; 1927, 1,238,000 cwt , Cheese.—l 923, 1,274.000ewt; 1924 H!2’2™ cwt; 1825 ’ L457.000ewt; 1926’. 1,347,000 cwt; 1927, 1.515.000. Lamb.—l 923, 1,670,000 cwt; 1924 HZlJ’OOOcwt; 1825 ’ L373,000cwt; 1926, 1,473,000 cwt; 1927, 1.620,000 cwt. Beef. —1923. 613,000 cwt; 1924. 696.000 cwt; 1925, 597.000 cwt; 1926, 661 000 cwt: 1927, 365,000 cwt. Mutton.—l 923. 1.244.000 cwt: 19 £ >4 Ba7,OOOcwt; 1925, l,013.000cwt; 1926’ 1,00/,OOOcwt; 1927, 981,OOOcwt. STOCK SELLING WELL. Stock are selling well, and owners are now beginning to hold back, as replacement means more money perhaps than v hat they quitted lines for. Ewe hoggets and fats are bringing exceptionally good prices.

EMPIRE STUDENT FARMERS. A party of student farmers arrived at Wellington in the early part of the week from Sydney with the obiect of investigating possibilities of Empire migration to the Dominion under the overseas settlement scheme fostered by Mr Amery, Secretary of State for the Dominion. Mr R. Smailes, of Goathland, Yorkshire, is the unofficial, head of the party, the others being young men who are making the tour partly from an educational point of view and partly to ascertain if any- of the Dominions offer them greater scope than the Old Country The party has visited the various States in Australia, where they spent 27 days, visiting dairy farms, sheep stations, agricultural colleges, fruit packing, and also the great wheat lands of Western Australia. They were much interested in all they saw, and expressed appreciation of the arrangements made by the State departments for them to see as much as possible.

An itinerary has been prepared for their 15 days’ stay in New Zealand, which includes a visit to Christchurch, Mount Cook, the Lakes, Invercargill, Southland, and other parts of the South Island, and to Wanganui, Taranaki, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Wairakei, Hamilton, and Auckland in the North Island. -■Mr R. Smailes said they had travelled 5000 miles in Australia, and up to the time of their arrival in New Zealand had travelled 12,577 miles by steamer, 10,636 miles by train, and 1080 miles bymotor. They will travel fully 1500 miles in New Zealand, by steamer, rail, and motor, and will leave Auckland by- the Aorangi for Home on September 25, involving a further journey of 11,000 miles, so that the round trip will total between 36,000 and 37,000 miles. On Monday morning the party- had a conference with the heads of various departments and others, but Ministers were unable to attend. Among those present were Dr C. J. Reakes (Director of Agriculture), Messrs E. J. Fawcett (Department of Agriculture), B. M. Wilson (Tourist), A. H. Messenger (Publicity), M. Fraser (Government Statistician). F. R. Callaghan (Scientific and Industrial Research), H. D. Thompson (Under-secretary Immigration De-

partment), J. W. Collins and H. dinkard (Industries and Commerce).

HAWKE’S BAY'S GOOD SEASON. Several times lately I have pointed out that Hawke's Bay, in common with other provinces of the North Island, has enjoyed a particularly good season, and that prospects ahead of agriculturalists, partoralists, and orchardists are very bright. This optimistic view of the position in Hawke’s Bay- has been confirmed by a local paper, which in the course of an interesting review- points out that the winter that is passing away has been just what the farmers and fruit growers of Hawke’s Bay wanted. It gives the promise of another good season. Even if not another inch of rain falls between now and Christmas, the prospects of good feed are extremely bright, although the orchards would largely benefit by another heavy- downfall of rain.

The sales at Stortford Lodge have been marked by an apparently insatiable demand for fat cattle, or beasts at all approaching fat. Prime bullocks have brought as much as £l6 10s, and ’last sale but one, a prime heifer brought £l3 odd — a record for the yards for several years. Fat and forward cattle indeed meet with a ready demand. The Hawke’s Baybuyers have had to stave off west coast buyers, for there the season has not been as propitious as the one that has blessea Hawke’s Bay, and they are now sounding the east coast markets. Sheep have brought good prices. So they should, for the class of sheep offering in the fat pens at the Stortford Lodge yards would be a credit to any district, being brought in in first-class condition alike in wool as well as in fatness. It is said that Hawke’s Bay has never bad such a superfluity of feed as has prevailed this past season. It is only lately, after large purchases of sheep ana cattle have been made to eat down the luxuriant grass that there has been any even apparent shortness of feed, and now the grass is again growing. The orchardists are looking forward to another year of plenty*. Last year _saw their trees laden to the utmost with fruit of the first grade, and the only trouble was that the prices obtained were not too good. But what was lost on apples was made up on cherries, peaches, or nectarines. That stone fruit—which demands a local market—is gaining in popularity, is evident from the number of sections planted in and around Havelock North alone. Cherries are chiefly- planted, and a cherry crop in Hawke’s Bay, if things go well, is a very- profitable asset. Thus, with another heavy- rainfall—at Havelock North, on the" slopes, the fall in the past two weeks has been almost four inches—the prospects for the coming season -are very- rosy. But as there seems to be no good without an attendant evil, so the very condition of the ewes—mud fat as they are—is causing considerable mortality among them in lambing. One runholder states that the losses on his run at the Tukituki this yearjire far beyond the average, and ewes at—2/s 6d for even second-class animals and going up to 34s for fo'ur-tootlr breeding ewes well woolled, mean a considerable loss to the sheep owner. It is stated that one of the chief reasons for mortality among ewes is that owing to the abundance of feed, sheep on the flats become too lazy. Without exercise troubles were created, subsequently ending in death. However, on hilly country where sheep have had to go up and down hill, and were obliged to take exercise the mortality- is normal.

PORK EXPORT TRADE. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board has received a report from its Loudon manager., Mr R. 8. Forsyth, in which the following reference is made to the market for frozen pork: “ The bacon market, as you will see from the official reports, has been very- firm with better prices. This has been reflected by an increased inquire for New Zealand bacon pigs. Up to 7Jd per lb ex store has been given for New Zealand baconers. and stocks are very- light and in firm hands Ihe prices for light-weight porkers arc also firm, but owing to the hot weather there is not a very good demand. I notice quite a number of New Zealand porker carcasses coming over to Smithfield weighing about 1101 b. These weights are quite unsuitable. We should either produce a pig from 60/10Qlb, preferably- 851 b average, or else make them into baconers weighing, say-, 1401 b. The weights in between these two ranges are quite useless tor either purpose. This cannot be too strongly- impressed upon the producers ”