Auckland's Poor Season

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18865, 16 November 1935, Page 13

Auckland's Poor Season

rY'VI.IiY farmers and pastoralists in the Auckland province are experiencing the worst spring for several vears.

Cold winds and squalls have delayed the growth of grass and practically all j stock lias suffered loss .of condition. ! This has been reflected in a reduced ' butter-fat production, in a serious delay in the shearing season and in a dearth of fat. lambs for export. i\ is reported that, the unfavorable conditions are fairly general, at least in the North Island. With the first Auckland wool sale less than i\ fortnight away, the prospects for a full catalogue are anything but promising. Comparatively little new season's wool is reaching the stores, as the rain has delayed shearing in country districts. In this respect North Auckland has been somewhat more fortunate than other districts, but the arrivals in the city are much below the usual quantities at this time of the year. It is practically certain that held-over wool will form, the bulk of the offering at the first sale. The Lamb Season By the middle of November, the freezing works are usually dealing with the main crop of early lambs, but this year the lamb season is several weeks late. Consequently, exporters are finding it difficult to secure requirements and in the past, few weeks buyers have been scouring the country looking for stock suitable for the Christmas trade in England. It, is reported that prices up to 9d per lb have been paid for early lambs. However, the fijst rush for supplies has now subsided and exporters are working to an "unofficial" schedule of B£d per lb for prime lambs and Sd for seconds. The first official schedule, which is usually in operation at this time, has not been decided on, as the supply position does not yet warrant a working basis. It. is estimated that the-production of butter-fat this season is from 5 to 10 per cent, below last; year. However, sufficient supplies of butter and cheese are available to provide a reasonable working margin for export loadings and the shipping difficulty earlier in the season has been overcome. All hopes of a recovery in spring production have been abandoned, but it is thought, that, the rains may ensure a favorable summer culpa t.

ITp-to-the-Mimite. Wetzel: Are yon familiar with the Italo-Etliiopian situation? Pretzel: Yes, up to half an hour ago. I .haven't heard the latest news. Substitute. A factory superintendent visiting a city threw a nickel towards the blind man's cup. The coin missed and rolled, along the pavement, but the man with the dark glasses quickly recovered it.

"But I thought you were blind?" "No, I am not the regular blind man, sir," he said. "I'm just taking his.place while he's at the movies."