FARMERS’ COMPETITIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1930, Page 6

FARMERS’ COMPETITIONS

HAY AND ENSILAGE CROPS. JUDGING AT TOKAORA. The Tokaora branch of the Farmers’ Union again conducted hay and ensilage competitions this season, and these were judged yesterday by Messrs. J. M. Smith (New Plymouth) and J. W. Palmer (Hawera), of the Department of Agriculture. Results are:—

Luncheon was served by the ladies at the Tokaora Hall, thanks: being extended to them by Mr. H. Thrush. In his comments Mr. Smith congratulated farmers on the ensilage pits.-All crops could have been cut earlier with beneficial results, and farmers might easily, had they done so, have had better crops than in other parts of the province. Wastage was less than in other districts, and the only weakness, a very general one, was the date of cutting. The quality of the raw material on which the finished product depended, was good. They could not get better than lucerne for ensilage as the old theory about a chemical action had been disproved. The party also inspected Mr. H, Batten’s large concrete silo, which holds 100 tons. Though it cost him £l5O, Mr. Batten considers that the saving in wastage and ease in handling have amply repaid him. While making their adjudications the judges pointed out common faults. Apart from early cutting there were no 'major troubles. Farmers were advised, however, not to have the batter on the sides of the pits too great, and to build the ensilage well up in the centre.' This tended to increase pressure towards the sides with a resulting decrease in wastage. In one or two cases the pits were too large, for the crops, which did not completely fill them. In this event water gathered on top and seeped through. It was pointed out that the sour smelling, green ensilage possessed the best feeding value, and was the most keenly sought after by the cows.

NO OFFER TO CREDITORS. MACHINERY FITTER BANKRUPT.' Francis William Shackleton, machinery fitter, of Hawera, bankrupt, told a meeting of his creditors at Hawera on Monday that he could make no offer. Bankrupt was represented by Mr. Kinmont, Ah Chang by Mr. Taylor, and Mr. W. G. Patten by. Mr. Arlidge. Debts to unsecured creditors amount to £143 Is. 4d., the only asset being £9 15s. held by Mr. C. D. Arlidge .as trustee for creditors agreeing to an arrangement for payment by instalments, leaving a deficiency of £133 6s. 4d. Tho principal creditors are:—E. Gray (Pungarehu) £5O, Goodrich Service (New Plymouth) £l3 os. 10d., W. G. Patten (Hawera) £l3 155., Ah Chang (Hawera) £l5. : Bankrupt stated that for six years up to the beginning of fe March, 1930, he was. engaged in the business of, manufacturing soap, floor polish and other goods of a similar nature. The major portion of the business was confined to Wanganui, the mountain districts and New Plymouth, his connection in Wanganui being particularly good until a larger firm commenced operations on'a credit system, against which he was unable to compete owing to a lack of capital, operating as he was, mainly on a cash basis. In 1927 a company was formed in New Plymouth for the manufacture of similar goods, and this so damaged his trade that, without the necessary capital, he could not successfully compete, although he employed no labour. In spite of opposition he made a fairly good living, from tho business until approximately 12 months ago, when he began to feel the effects of opposition. Up to that time he drew from his business some £5 ss. weekly, out of which £1 15s.

per week was absorbed in shop and house rent, the balance being- utilised for the support of his wife and foqr children. In September, 1929, the majority of creditors in the estate agreed to allow bankrupt time to meet his liabilities by monthly payments of 30s. to a trustee appointed, the payments to be distributed pro rata. In this manner £9 15s. had been paid. Some two months later bankrupt was obliged by the opposition to cease his business, and had since been earning casual wages for fitting milking machines, which on account of being not continuous bad proved scarcely remunerative enough to provide bare necessities. Several creditors took judgment against him, later issuing judgment summonses, and. he found he could not meet his monthly payments of 30s. and pay pressing creditors. He attributed his failure .to

the opposition of large firms operating bn a credit system, and to the unwillingness of several of his creditors fa afford an opportunity of meeting 'his liabilities by small extended .payments. .In answer to Mr.. Taylor, bankrupt haid he was discharged from bankruptcy six years ago. Beyond a bank passbook he kept no record of his business transactions, as his business was purely of a cash nature. He had not manufactured soap for about six months, and had no stock in trade. A motor, vehicle uj?pd for business purposes was. obtained under a hire purchase clausej

but. had been returned to the vendor at Eltham. The furniture in bankrupt’s residence belonged to his wife. The meeting was adjourned until bankrupt produced his bank pass-book io the Deputy Official Assignee, Mr. R. 8. Sage.

ENSILAGE. Pit. S O O' fa > o O <u 0 H F. Phillipa , 66 8 16 90 H. Taylor . 64.J 8 17 89J H. Jordan . 65 8 16 89 T. Allan . >... . 64 8 17 89 H. D. MacDonald 63 8 17 88 S. T. Bennett . . 62 8 17 87 H. V. Ward ... . 62 8 16 86 R. H. Jones ... . ”61 8 17 86 Mrs. C. R. Wells 61 8 16 85 H. Ritter ... , 60 Stack. ‘8 16 84 H. E. Johnson 11 11 18 80 HAY. to 3 • d ‘O 3 ‘O — 5 Is G? Q M H H. Ward , v ... 51 16 22 89 H. E. Johnston . 52 16 20 88 S. T. Bennett .. 52 14 21 87 F. Phillips .. 51 14 20 85 Mrs. C. R. Wells 49 15 20 84