OUT AND ABOUT

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 13

OUT AND ABOUT

THE WEEK IN OTAGO. Changeable climate conditions were general in Otago during the week, with frosts at times and a temperature reminiscent of winter, culminating after several hours of sunshine in a soaking rainfall. Early last week in Central Otago the weather was more suggestive of spring time. BURNSIDE MARKET. Values of fat stock at the Burnside Metropolitan Fat Stock Market have not yet stabilised, despite the comparatively moderate yardings. Beef prices have been receding during the past few weeks, while fat sheep are firmer one week, only to decline at the following sale. The entry of fat cattle was made up of very fair to good quality, including a few pens of extra heavy bullocks. The proportion of females was smaller than has been customary at recent sales, but the quality was fairly good. The demand was not bright at any period of the sale, later sales, if anything, being the worst of the series. Values may be quoted as being generally £1 to £1 5s under the previous week’s rates, beef of quality making to and around 29s per 1001 b. The entry totalled 200, compared with 269 at the previous sale.

The supply of fat sheep, 2300 (2516 last sale), included some medium to very fair hoggets. There was a fair entry of heavy qpen-woolled wethers, the balance comprising a number of pennings of good heavy ewes, and pennings of close-woolled wethers. There was very fair competition at times, but outside buyers were not eager competitors, and generally prices on heavy wethers and ewes declined Is to Is 6d per head, butchers’ wethers making to 3-Jd per lb. Hoggets sold from 9s 6d to 14s 9d, under very fair inquiry. The store cattle section was but moderately supplied, and values indicated no improvement in the demand. The fat pigs yarded were all wanted, only 48 being offered, compared with 82 the previous week, with the result that values remained firm at last sales enhanced rates. Porkers sold close up to 8d per lb and bacon pigs to 7d per lb. Small stores were in keen request, 52 being offered as against 30 at the previous sale. THE WOOL INDUSTRY. Describing the results of the 1930-31 wool season in Australia and New Zealand as “ almost a knock-out blow ” to the industry, Dalgety’s “ Annual Wool Review ” says that perhaps the best way to summarise the position would be to say that the wool cheque was a shade less than half the size of that of twp seasons ago. The Australian and New Zealand vool cheque of £31,204,332 shows a falling off of £7,850,627 as compared with the previous season of £38,135,106 as compared with two seasons back, and of £42,673,530 as compared with three seasons ago. It is the lowest point since 1920-21, which was the year wool sales were resumed after the appraisement scheme, and there was an enormous carry-over of unsold wool. It is, however, larger than the pre-war wool cheque by reason of an increased turnover at a lower average of values. A comparison of the Australian and New Zealand wool cheque with that of the previous season, when the slump began, and of three yearly periods, gives the following interesting figures:— . • £ 1930-31 season’s wool cheque 31,204,332 1929-30 season’s wool cheque 39,054,959 Average of three previous. seasons 69,345., 295 Average of three post scheme years 37,049,615 Average of three wool scheme years 58,657,516 Average first three pre-war years 24,468,089 The average value per bale throughout Australia and New Zealand was £lO 13s 3d per bale, or 8.2 d per lb, as compared with £l3 2s 2d per bale, or 10.2 d per lb in 1929-30, and £2l 10s 6d per bale, or 16.3 d per lb in 1928-29. The record average was made in 1924-25, when £33 13s lOd per bale was netted for a clip of 2,050,545 bales. The Commonwealth average came out at £ll Ss lOd per bale, or 8.7 d per lb, as compared with the previous season’s average of £l3 5s 9d per bale, or 10.5 d per lb, and of averages of £2l Us lOd per bale and 16.7 d per lb in 1928-29 and £25 4s 9d per bale and 19.9 d per lb in 1927-28. A summary.of the Australian and New Zealand averages as compiled by Dalgety and Co., Ltd., for the last 20 seasons illustrates the fluctuation in pastoral results. The 1924-25 average was a record one, but since that time there have been some drastic changes in the position of values, which, during the last two years, were below pre-war prices. The averages of the past two seasons are very disappointing:—

COUNTRY STOCK SALES.

BALCLUTHA.

A successful sale of horses was held at the Corporation yards o n Friday by the Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association and the National Mortgage and Agency Company. The number of hoftses offered was about 30, all told, and there was nothing of outstanding quality in the lot. Top price (£3l) was given for a

u se fl 'l fa™ mare, and the next best was £26 10s. lhere was a demand up to a point for medium-priced horses, but for aged and inferior the demand was very slack. Hacks brought from £3 to £7. GLENSTUART FRIESIANS. The annual sale of Glenstuart purebred Friesian cattle bred by Messrs W. Y. Dickie and Sons, Ferndale, Mataura, was held last week, when there was a good attendance of breeders and dairy farmers. The catalogue was a smaller one than was offered last year, but the quality of the offering was very high and left nothing to be desired. Young bulls predominated in the catalogue, and for these there was a good demand, many breeders and dairy farmers generally being anxious to secure for their herds sires showing good dairy type and backed by high production records. There were also offered several heifers showing good promise, and these also sold well. The main attraction was the stock by the herd sire Bloomfield Alcartra Clothilde, whose dam produced in 1921 31,312 lb of milk and 11451 bof butter-fat. Six bulls by this sire were disposed of. and the fact that the females offered were mostly in calf, to him was an added attraction. Mr T. R. Eades, the newly appointed official demonstrator for Friesian cattle for the South Island, was present, and demonstrated on the different lots as they were put up for auction. Two bulls Were passed in at auction, r ourteen yearling bulls averaged approximately £2l 3s, prices ranging from 19gns to 40gns. Six heifers and cows averaged £l4 17s 6d, the top price being 19gns, while the following prices were paid for grade Friesian cows: —4 at £ll, 1 at £lO, 1 at £9, 1 at £B, 1 at £3 10s, 2 at £6, 1 at £7, 1 at £2 5, and 4 two-year-old heifers at £5. The sale was conducted by Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd. MACKINNON TRUST. In response to the invitation to collaborate with the trustees in preparing the budget of the prizes fund for the ensuing year, the following representatives were present: Mr Archie Weir, president, and Messrs J. Gilkison and James Price, committee members of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, mainly working for stock; Mr H. M‘Lean, president, and Mr Hugh Carswell representea the W inton Experimental Farm, engaged in matters of agriculture. The principal alterations were a grant of £25 for the Southland and Otago Herd Testing Association, £ls for the Southland Champion Farms competitions, divided between farms over 250 acres and under 250 acres respectively. The Southland Boys and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs Association allotment was increased to £25, the subsidy of the Winton Experimental Farm was renewed to the extent of £BS, while £75 was assigned to the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, to be used at their discretion for prizes and for bonus on purebred stock. Mr J. Gilkison considered it would be judicious to limit the total budget in view of the present economic state of affairs. It was also decided that the respective presidents and representatives should meet annually as an advisory committee to collaborate with the trustees when preparing the budget. ; * BAWRA THOUSANDS. ’ B.v a judgment given in the Banco Court. Melbourne, on August 3, Mr Justice M'Arthur determined the destination, if not the ownership, of a sum of £33,713, at the present time in the hands of Bawra. The money was not claimed by its rightful owners; and the liquidators (Sir John Higgins and Mr Charles Rob; ert Murphy), on an originating summons, asked the court to say what should be done with the fund. There were three claimants —Bawra shareholders, the Commonwealth Government, and the State of Victoria. The Victorian Government claimed the right under the Companies Act to hold the money until it was claimed by the rightful owners; and Mr Tait, who appeared for the Government, admitted that that might be “ for ever.” Having reviewed the authorities and the arguments at length, Mr Justice M'Arthur said that the liquidators were not entitled to the moneys in question. Under an agreement, the Commonwealth agreed to transfer absolutely to the association all its rights under the agreement and arrangement with the British Government. In consideration therefore the association agreed to fulfil certain promises. That was not a revocable mandate. Once the agreement was executed by both parties it became binding on both parties. There was nothing in the agreement itself to indicate that in a~ny circumstances the assets were to revert to the Commonwealth. Mr Justice M'Arthur directed that the liquidators should dispose of the balance not yet distributed by paying the money forthwith to the receiver of revenue in Melbourne, to be placed to the credit of the company’s liquidation ac-' count, in accordance with section 222 of the Companies Act 1928. The costs of all parties should be taxed, as between solicitor and client, and'paid out of the moneys referred to. DAIRY FACTORIES. BRYDONE. _The following statistics give particulars of the milk supply for the season of the Brydone Dairy Factory:—Total milk, 8,119,8821 b; butter-fat, 295,3521 b; average test, 3.63; cheese made 809,007; cheese to 11b butter-fat, 2.739; milk to produce 11b of cheese, 10.036. An increase over last season of 417,7291 b milk, 20,0871 b butterfat and 254 tons cheese. Advance payments to suppliers during the season have been as follows: —September-October -November Is, December-January-Febru-ary-March 9d, April to end of season Bd. A further payment is now available of lAd, covering the months December to the end of season. The average price for the season will be 10.705 d. Every endeavour was made to obtain what the directors considered a payable price, and this could not be obtained. Various requests for. “ firm offers ” were made to the board, but it was not thought to be a wise course to tie the output up for any length of time and perhaps lose a straightout offer. Unfortunately . the

market “ slumped,” and consignment had to be resorted to, and the major portion of the output was shipped on consignment through three consigning agents. The result has been most disappointing. It was not until close on the end of the season that the Home market showed any improvement. Advantage was taken of the rise and 82 tons were sold at 6d per lb f.o.b. It is recommended that a dividend of 6 per cent, on the paid-up capital of the company be paid. The manager, Mr W. Wyeth, and his staff have carried out their .duties to the satisfaction of the board. The grading of cheese has .been uniformly high, and excellent reports have been received from the department’s inspector in London. The retiring directors at this time are Messrs W. Coker, A. A. Thomson, and D. Townley. Messrs Coker and Townley-, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. Mr A. A. Thomson has definitely decided to retire from the board. This is to be regretted, as he has been a director of the company since its formation. He has earned the best thanks of the company for his services. MENZIES FERRY. The following summary- gives particulars, of the Menzies Ferry- Dairy- Factory for the season:—Total milk, 8,911,5971 b; butter-fat, 342,9921 b; average test, 3.848; milk for cheese, 8.573,3611 b: butter-fat for cheese, 328,1931 b; cheese made, 883,4791 b; cheese to 11b butter-fat, 2.692; milk to produce 11b of cheese. 9.704; milk for butter, 338,036; butter-fat for butter, 14,7991 b; f.c. butter made 16.6511 b; The supply shows a decrease of approximately- 19,000 gallons milk from last season; but, on account of the increase in the average test, the butter-fat shows an increase of 4,4831 b. Payment to suppliers has been as follows: —September, October, November. Is; December, 9d; January to March, lOd; April, May, -9d; June, 10d—an average payment of 10.242 d. A further payment will be available, . when the balance of our cheese is shipped, covering the months January to May inclusive of 2d per lb, making an average for the season 11.3 d per lb butter-fat. The disposal of the output caused the directors much anxiety. The f.o.b. sales at the beginning of the season did not appeal to the board, and consignment was resorted to later in the season. The January-Febru-ary- output was sold at 6d f.o.b. At the end of this contract the directors again had to consign. Towards the end of the season buyers were again offering, and the directors sold 83 tons, afloat and in store, at 6d per lb f.o.b. In view of the low return to milk suppliers, the directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend on share capital this year. _ During the season, Mr Henderson and his staff have given the companyexcellent service; the grade for our cheese being especially good (second highest for Southland), and Mr Henderson is to Le congratulated upon his good work. DRUMMOND. There has again been a slight falling-off in the quantity- of cheese made during' the season by the Drummond Dairy Factory. The following quantities show the factory output for four years: 1931, "191 tons 19cwt 61b; 1930, 197 tons lewt 61b; 1929, 197 tons 12cwt; 1928, 206 tons 2cwt 2qr 141 b. At the opening of the season the market was lifeless, and f.o.b. inquiries were go much under the lowest prices of the previous year that there did not appear any good reason for selling, and it was decided to consign. The return from early consignments demonstrated that the market was definitely down, and that the industry would have to adapt itself to much lower values than had prevailed during the past five years. Early in 1931 f.o.b. buyers became interested in the forward market, and when offers reached

6d per lb the directors sold the make from January- 1 to the end of the season. Contrary- to expectations, the market has remained very quiet, and London values have not on the average been equivalent to the f.o.b. price -obtained. Owing to the collapse of the market immediately following last annual meeting, a loss of £259 14s 8d was made in the final account sales of consignments unsold at that time. Suppliers have been paid Is per lb butter-fat for September, lOd for October, and 9d for the rest of the season. An additional payment is being made at the annual meeting of Id to make all payments for the season up to lOd, excepting September, which remains at Is. The redemption of the above £259 14s 8d and the amount written off for depreciation and bank reduction represents another Idper lb butter-fat. Considerable difficulty has been experienced all through the season in maintaining the quality- of the cheese manufactured, and the need of a system of milk grading is becoming more imperative. Following is the customary- comparative statement: —Number of suppliers, 41; total milk received, 4,464,7491 b; butterfat produced, 164,8421 b; cheese produced, gross lb, 429.974; cheese nroduced, net lb, 423,815; average price paid for butterfat, 10.05 J; average price paid per gallon of milk. 3.71 d; average test, 3.69; milk to produce lib cheese, 10.381 b; cheese produced from 11b butter-fat, 2.61 b; butter-fat sold from separator, 5.091 b; f.o.b. average price realised for cheese on net weight. 5.66 d; all charges to f.o.b. exclusive of depreciation, per lb cheese net, 1.51 d; all charges to f.0.b., exclusive of depreciation, per lb -butterfat, 3.9 d. CLYDESDALE STUD BOOK. The fifty-third volume of the Stud Book of the Clydesdale Horse Society is to hand. It contains particulars of the pedigrees of 1491 animals, comprising 939 additional produce. 439 mares with produce, and 113 stallions. Compared with volume 52, this represents a decrease of 70, made up of 12 fewer additional produce, 39 fewer mares with produce, and 19 fewer stallions. The indication this year is that mare breeding is being engaged in. an*-! th° succeeding volume may tell a different story. Mr A. J. Marshall, 8ring..,..n... Stranraer, once again heads the list of entries with no fewer than 24 foals. 5 mares with foals, and 6 stallions. The book contains much interesting matteron familiar lines. The illustrations comprise the Cawdor Cup winners Craigie Beau Ideal (21866), owned by Mr James Kilpatrick, Craigie Mains, Kilmarnock, and Harvicstoun Alanna (58072), owned by Mr J. Ernest Kerr, of Harviestoun, Dollar. THE SEASON IN AUSTRALIA. Though not so wet as the preceding winter months, more than enough rain was recorded over the main agricultural areas of New South Wales and Victoria during July (says the Pastoral Review). As a result seeding has been further delayed, and the time is now past in all but the very late districts when wheat can be sown with reasonable prospect of a good yield. This means that there must be a considerable reduction in area under the crop in both States. From reports received from the country it appears that the acreage will be quite 20 per cent, less than that of last year, and the falling off may- be greater if the weather docs not improve sufficiently- to allow seeding in the latest districts

Unfortunately a fair amount of damage has been done to growing crops in the South of New South Wales and North Victoria by floods. In other districts growth is not altogether satisfactory owing to extreme weather conditions. Conditions in South and Western Australia have been more favourable than in the other States. Sowing has not been interrupted to the same extent and germination has been good In spite of this there is a reduction in the area under wheat, due largely to economic reasons. Crops generally are looking exceptionally well for this time of the year. The wheat areas of South Queensland have recently experienced sharp frosts. Growth is satisfactory, and there is already talk of a record yield. The incoming wool clip promises to be a very different one from that of last year, and will probably present more anomalies than for some time, climatic vagaries during the period of growth being very pronounced. As to what price level is likely to rule for the opening sales opinions, as usual, differ, but it is thought there will not be much variation as compared with the last series of sales in Brisbane. Averages are not always reliable, but a graph of the weekly averages in Sydney [the largest of Australian selling centres) during the last season (eliminating the winter series and the last sale in May as not being fully representative) shows that the average of the opening week (sales ending September 30) was 8.6 d per lb, the same figure applying to the average for the week’s sales ending May 5. In the first case the premium of exchange was 9 per cent., whereas in the latter it had risen to 30 per cent., figures which must be taken seriously into account. Altogether the prospects of developing the use of wool in the East is the one patch of blue sky visible in an otherwise unsatisfactory outlook. As a sign of the times, it is noteworthy that the Dutch line of steamers which lias established such a good reputation with travelling Australians, and incidentally has provided good tonnage for our exports to the East, is in the near future extending its itinerary to Adelaide. Whatever the object, it is significant as indicating the openings for Australian products in the countries which the line serves, wool being not the least. Moderate tallies of spring lambs having been treated at different New South Wales works since, the beginning of August, it may be said that the new season has opened so far as that State is concerned. Not much has yet been done elsewhere.

Seme small lots have been put through in Victoria and South Australia, but general supplies in the south are being delayed by the continued wet and cold weather. Companies operating in Victoria have recently been buying best light wethers on the basis of nearly 3d per lb, bare meat. For heavy weights they have been paying up to 2Jd. and to 2id for ewes. Costs in New South Wales and Queensland, where the bulk of the offerings- are merinos, have been lower. Most of the New South Wales and Victorian works have been killing summer lambs and tegs. For these Melbourne operators were paying up to 4 Ad a lb, bare meat, for best light weights, and to 4d for heavy grades. Sydney costs have been a little lower. Spring lambs in the Sydney yards have cost 5d to 5Sd per lb, while the few ‘"samples” bought at Newmarket, Melbourne. have probably run out at between 6d and Old a lb. The stoppage of beef killings at the Queensland export establishments, which followed the high-handed action of the Meat Industries’ Union in calling a stopwork meeting to discuss the reduction in wages ordered by the Industrial Court, did not last long. The firm stand adopted by the export companies apparently impressed union officials, as the men soon expressed a readiness to resume operations. As a matter of fact slaughtering in the central and northern districts, at the few works that were still in commission, was continued with the loss of only OI * so * There was a longer break in the south owing to the companies having cancelled truckings. HERD TESTING. There was a good attendance of dairying men at a meeting at Middlemarch for the purpose of hearing an address by Mr W. D. Hume, organiser for the herd-testing associations. Mr Hume gave a most interesting talk, but stressed the fact that herd-testing was only the beginning of an improved method of culling, and that unless farmers were prepared to feed and cull in accordance with the test they could not and would not get results. The Canvassing Committee (Messrs J. Elliot, EL J. Smith, W. Keast, Alister Robertson, and A. Ward) submitted its report, showing a total of 530 cows which were to be submitted to test. It was thought that this number was sufficient to war-

rant the formation of a group herd testing association, and it was unanimously agreed that steps should be taken to form such an association. The secretary of the Otago and Southland Herd Testing Groups (Mr Oswin) was also present, and addressed the meeting. Mr Oswin arranged to return to the district in about a fortnight, so as to have all arrangements complete before the beginning of the season on October 1. The dairy farmers in the district now realise that without herd testing they cannot hope to make a success of their business, and they are to be congratulated on the enthusiasm shown in this new departure from the ordinary and obsolete methods of herd improvement. JOTTINGS. The growth of grass in Otago is scarcely apparent as yet owing to the cold weather experienced, and while the rain will do a vast amount of good, a spell of warmer conditions immediately would be welcomed. The three sitting members were returned as the producers’ representatives on the Meat Board at the election held on Friday. They are Messrs H. D. Acland (Christchurch), S. Jessep (Wairoa), and W. Perry (Wairarapa). An alteration in the dates of the Invercargill Ram Fair was proposed at a meeting last week of Romney Marsh sheep breeders by Mr Peter Campbell, of Wynd ham. The chairman (Mr A. S. Hohns) promised to bring up the question at the next meeting of directors of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and ascertain the views of others. He also hoped that it would be possible to learn the attitude of the brokers.

At a clearing sale at Stirling on Tuesday conducted by Messrs Donald Reid and Co. on behalf of Mr John Tait, the demand for dairy cows was very keen, and prices good accordingly. The top price was £l3, and others sold at £l2 10s, £l2, £ll 15s, £ll. £lO 15s, £lO, £9 15s, down to £4 ss. Dairy heifers sold at £4 15s to £6 10s, and yearling heifers £2. Work horses were also in demand, selling at up to £3B 10s.

“ As a result of importations, there are no barley contracts to be had, and farmers in Ellesmere and elsewhere are feeling the position keenly,” said Mr R.

T Bishop at the meeting of the North Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union recently. “ Some farmers are, as a result, sowing 50 per cent, more wheat, and that will mean that the wheat sales will be upset.” There is an Auckland suburban resident who has his apple trees deeorated with bottles—a few on each tree —and the .ilvery-winged eodlin moth is lured to destraction. The bottles are partially filled with honey and vinegar. The moths are ' attracted by the honey, and then the vinegar fumes are deadly. Many moths in each bottle are claimed as proof of a simple way of dealing with one of the most deadly orchard pests.

The prospectus of a community farming company has been issued in Sydney. The capital is £lO,OOO in £1 shares. The dividend is limited to 5 per cent, per annum, cumulative. It is proposed to make a commencement by purchasing approximately 220 acres and to place on it 30 boya After it has been sufficiently improved it will be divided into 31 farms of approximately seven acres each, and it is hoped that each boy will receive his farm subject to a mortgage of £l5O at 6 per cent. An extraordinary freak of Nature m the shape of a two headed calf was born on Mr Edward Rowe’s farm at Eairhall the other afternoon (says the Marlborough Express). Besides having two perfectly-formed heads, joined together from the cheeks back, the calf was badly . deformed in many other ways. Mr Henry Jellyman, a well-known veterinarian. ' though he has seen many queer monstrosities in his long experience with animals, considers this calf, which was stillborn, to be the strangest. " Many people in the farming districts are going back to horses,” said the chairman of the North Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union (Mr Cblin M‘lntosh), when the matter of . reading improvements came up for discussion. “ They are putting down real speed tracks with the petrol tax money, and it is just a question as to whether it is all necessary. We did well with the old roads for a long time. The new, hard surfaces will be no good for the horses.” A member suggested that horses would have to be rubber shod.

A meeting of free wheatgrowers at Ashburton on Tuesday, attended by 130 grower e from all parts of Canterbury and Otago, passed the following resolution;— ■' That the growers’ interests should be represented in drawing up anj’ agreement with the millers regarding the handling or next season’s crop.” The matter of form ing a free wheatgrowers’ association was left to the committee to act if considered necessary. The committee appointed represents all parts of Canterbury and Otago. A very instructive address was delivered at Alexandra to a large attendance of dairy farmers by Mr W. D. Hume, organiser for the Herd Testing Association. Mr Hume illustrated his address by means of interesting lantern slides. At the conclusion of the lecture a number of farmers signed up as being willing to form a herd testing group here. This represented 250 cows, and a further 250 were required to ensure a group being fonnpd. That number, it is understood, has now been secured. A good record as a two-year-old has just been established by a pedigree Jersey heifer named Crofton Emma, owned by Mr M. Crowe, of Makarewa (says th“ Southland Times). This heifer, which was purchased at the 1930 Alfalfa sale of Mr F. J. Saxby, commenced semi-olnetal testing at 1 year 344 days and finished the 365-day period with a production of 5361 b butter-fat. This is believed to be a record for a junior two-year-old, and is a very creditable performance indicating that the change to tbe south has not affected the heifer and that the Jersey breed is quite successful in Southland’s rigorous climate.

“The farm dairy instructor is as essential as the policeman,” stated Mr P. Hansen at the annual meeting of the Awahuri Dairy Company (says the Manawatu Evening Standard). “Some companies originally resisted his introduction, but they were now very thanki ul that they were forced into line,” added the speaker. In upholding the necessity for the employment of instructors, the manager of the company (Mr W. S. Death) stated that the dairy industry was faced with a difficult situation as the result of the low prices, and the only way to overcome the difficulty was to improve the quality of the produce. The butter-making competitions at the Highland Show at Edinburgh attracted 125 competitors from all parts of Great Britain, and the Prince of Wales’s champion gold medal was gained by a Welsh competitor, Mis® Sybil E. Jones, Cwm Crickhowell, Breconshire. The winner of the Prince of Wales silver medal as run-ner-up was Miss Jenny W. Prentice, Craigrie, Clackmannan, ■who is the daughter of a well-known British Friesian bleeder; and the third place was taken by Miss Florence E. Corkill, Ballamenagh Farm, Baldrine. Isle of Man, who is a student of the West of Scotland Agricultural College.

“When I was in Bradford the Hoover Plan was just mooted and things showed signs of improving,” remarked Mr Herbert Hill, W’ool broker, of Christchurch, who returned home by the Maunganui after a visit to England. In an interview, Mr Hill said that Bradford people were fairly optimistic. They did not think there would be any . big rise in price, but they were sanguine that business would improve. “ I would not be surprised to see America interested in the coming New Zealand clip,” he said, "because their domestic clip is going into rapid consume tion. There will be a shortage of crossbred wool, and there might be the prospect of a fair demand from America.”

Sour as against sweet ensilage was the subject of a short discussion' at the annual meeting or the Bell Block Dairy Company recently (says the Taranaki Herald). Mr J. S. Jones introduced the question by saying be wished to issue a note of warning with respect to the feeding of sour ensilage. He had noticed that in the com-

petitions the judges were awarding highest points to slightly sour silage, but in his opinion great care was needed as to how it was fed if taint in the milk was to be avoided. As one with considerable experience in supplying milk to the towns of Palmerston North and New Plymouth, and having to please hundreds of housewives, he held that sweet ensilage could be fed out to cattle abundantly without any fear of tainting the milk, whereas sour fodder could not be so fed. Mr Sampson and a number of other shareholders combated Mr Jones’s statement. Mr Sampson said he, too, had supplied the town,, and that he had fed sour ensilage for yearsand had never had any complaints.

In connection with the transport of dairy produce, the general manager of the New Zealand Railways (Mr H. H. Sterling) states in his annual report that the department has been successful in retaining the greater portion of the business, and the figures show an increase of 24,500' tons over last year for butter and cheese. In every district serious attempts have been made by opponents to capture thisclass of traffic, but although in many instances it has again been necessary substantially to reduce rates, the result has been that the department is still bolding the bulk of the business. The conveyance of wool during this year has had a marked decline, the decrease being 6165 tons, or 30.825 bales, as compared with the previous year, which, compared with 1929 figures, dropped 17,079 tons, or 85,395 bales. Certainly a large portion of this year’s clip is being held over in anticipation of a more favourable market price being obtained—the quantity so held being estimated in the annual review of one of tbe leading stock and. station companies operating in the Dominion at nearly 210.000 bales--but the department’s ex perience in the handling of this year’s clip has shown that there is a greater tendency towards road transport being adopted In practically every woolgrowing area the railways have had to contend with increased competition and provide competitive rates shed to store, and action is being taken to guard the future interests of the service as far as practicable in this respect

£ s. d. 1930-1931 .. . . . . 10 13 3 1929-1930 . . . . .. 13 2 2 1928-1929 .. . . ..21 10 6 1927-1928 .. . .. .. 24 19 11 1926-1927 .. . . .. 21 13 0 1925-1926 .. . . .. 20 19 4 1924-1925 .. . . .. 33 13 10 1923-1924 .. . . ..29 9 9 1922-1923 .. . . ..22 9 8 1921-1922 .. . . .. 15 8 1 1920-1921 .. . . ..15 12 7 1919-1920 .. . . .. 22 15 7 1918-1919 .. . . ..22 13 11 1917-1918 .. . . ..22 8 5 1916-1917 .. . . .. 21 12 8 1915-1916 .. . . .. 16 10 10 1914-1915 .. . . ..12 15 7 1913-1914 .. . . .. 13 4 11 1912-1913 .. . . ..13 13 1 1911-1912 .. . . .. 11 15 5