THE KING COUNTRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 19, 17 July 1911, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY

GROWTH OP'DAIRYING. A CHEERFUL OUTLOOK. Auckland, Saturday. The prospects of the dairy industry in the King Country for the eom/ffg; season are reported to be very good. Reports from the various parts of the district state that, despite the fact that grass seed was sown later than usual this year, in the majority of instances ■it has come on well, although in a few cases it is not doing so well as might be expected. A large number of frosts have been taking place, and have seriously interfered with the young plants., The hardier kinds are doing fairly well; it is only the more tender kinds that are suffering to any extent. There promises to be a very big demand for dairy stock, and, according to the prices realised at recent sides, they will be rather an expensive item this year. A large number will be required for the King Country, as in many instances factories hope to double their output next year, whilst a large number are having additions made, and two new factories at Te Kuiti and one at Marokopa will be ready for the beginning of the seaeon. In the latter two districts starts are being made with milking machines on a fairly large scale. A factory is also to be established at Tauinarunui.

A large number of land-buyers have been in the Te Kuiti and Ohura districts lately, and agents report a number of sales. The Otorohanga district, a much older district, is commanding a considerable amount of attention, and some big prices are being realised. Taumarunui is also coming to the front, and is beginning to show signs of development. The great drawback to this district is that it has been very badly off for roads, especially main ones in this area of country. The country in and around Ongarue is now attracting considerable attention owing to the fact of a start having been made with the survey on the Stratford-Ongarue railway.

Right through the country changes are taking place every day. A noticeable fact in the changes being: made is the number of Canterbury and Wairarapa farmers that arc buying and settling in the various districts. On the whole, there is every evidence of a prosperous farming community at a,n early date. In the Ohura district five years ago there were only about 20.000 cheep, and to-dav the estimate is that there are 120,000 sheep, without the corresponding increase in aattle and horses.