DAIRY PRODUCTION UP

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1934, Page 10

DAIRY PRODUCTION UP

SOUTH TARANAKI INCREASE. 8 PER CENT. OVER LAST SEASON. Dairy production in South Taranaki in the season now drawing to a close is 8 per cent, higher than last season’s on a butter-fat basis. This will very nearly compensate for the reduction in payment for each pound of butter-fat, and the fact that many farmers are finding their financial position difficult is due, not to lower returns as against last year, but the continuance of low returns for several years. The following table of figures, from the records of the South Taranaki Herd-Test-ing Association, shows how month by month production this season has exceeded that of the previous period. The increase was greatest in the spring. The figures are the average for each cow tested. x

The increase is partly due to larger production of milk and partly to the ever-rising test. In 1932-33 the test rose from 4.102 to 4.869 and in 1933-34 from 4.236 to 4.956. These figures are a fairly reliable indication as the association tests a large number of cows in all parts of the district. The numbers of cows tested by the association in each month, with the 1932-33 figures in parentheses, were:— October, 7107 (5027); November, 7755 (5327); December, 7734 (5575); January, 7990 (5579); February, 7911 (5521); March, 7828 (5482). KAPUNI SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. BASKETBALL TEAM FORMED. A basketball club of the old girls of the Kapuni school' was formed recently when there was an attendance of 17 prospective members. Officers were elected as follows: President, Miss M. Mitchell; secretary,.Miss M. Luscombe; captain, Miss G. Williamson; vice-captain, Miss E. Treanor. It was decided not to join in competitions this year but to play friendly matches with other district teams. Practices will be held every Wednesday. A successful dance was held last Friday in aid of the Young People’s Social Club. Old-time music was played by Mr. T. Austin and extras were given by Mr. Eric Austin. A statue waltz was won by Mr. G. Whalen and Miss E. Treanor. Amusement was aroused by a “broom waltz” and a “slipper dance.” Mr. W. Williamson was master of ceremonies and supper was organised by the young ladies of the committee. Ping pong games were played. On Monday a dance was held by the sports committee of the Opunake beach carnival and the event was patronised by many local residents as well as the Opunake visitors. A feature of the evening was a waltzing competition, which was won by Mr. E. Riley (Pihama) and Mrs. W. Evans after a close contest with Mr. J. Mowat and Miss M. Kearns, the runners-up. Jack Hooker’s Merrymakers played the music'and extras were given by Mr. E. Austin and Mr. B. Eliason.

Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Cameron are spending a holiday at New Plymouth.

ANZAC DAY AT HAWERA. ARRANGEMENT OF CEREMONIES. Arrangements for the celebration of Anzac Day at Hawera were completed on Monday, when the Mayor, Mr. J. E. Campbell, conferred with the Rev. A. G. Irvine (representative of the Hawera Ministers’ Association), Mr. M. R. Jones (South Taranaki Returned Soldiers’ Association), Mr. H. C. A. Fox (Hawera Municipal Band) and Major B. W. Smart (representing various military units). Owing to renovation work which will be in progress next week the Opera House will not be available for the usual indoor morning service of commemoration. The committee decided to dispense with this service and hold in its place a short ceremony at the Memorial Arch in Princes Street. The Anzac Day parade will be held as usual, the various units assembling at the winter show buildings and marching to ■the Memorial Arch via Princes Street, High Street, Union Street and Nelson Street. The churches, through the ■ Ministers’ Association, will be invited to hold individual Anzac services next Sunday. Suitable reference to the significance of the occasion will be made in the schools on the Tuesday before Anzac Day.

POPPY DAY AT HAWERA. APPEAL TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW. Poppy Day will be held in South Taranaki to-morrow, but to enable a complete canvass to be made for the sale of poppies to be worn on Poppy Day and on Anzac Day the house-to-house selling of poppies will commence to-day. The Hawera V.A.D. branch of the Red Cross .Society will control sales within the borough and the Turi Township Women’s Institute will canvass homes just outside that area. To-morrow the Women’s National Reserve will sell in the business area. The proceeds of the appeal are to assist needy returned soldiers, many of whom are disabled as the result of their war service. The Mayor, Mr. J. E. Campbell, has indicated his support of the appeal, and has requested that every purchaser should wear a poppy on Thursday and on Anzac Day. Last year £237 8s 2d was disbursed by the trustees of the Hawera Poppy Day Fund. (

MANAIA TALKIES TO-NIGHT. “The White Sister,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s new talking picture version of F. Marion Crawford’s undying romance, will be the attraction at the Manaia- Theatre for to-night. Helen Hayes and Clark Gable are co-starred for the first time on the screen in the classic love and a prominent supporting cast features Lewis Stone, Louise Closser Hale, May Robson, Edward Arnold and Alan Edwards. In the present film Miss Hayes plays the role of an aristocratic Italian girl who turns down the suitor of her father’s choice in favour of a young officer in the Italian Air Force. When notified of his death at the front, she enters a convent. The story rises to a sensational climax when the lover returns and finds the girl’s religious vows an obstacle to his happiness. „ '

Milk. Butter-fat. Month 32-33 33-34 32-33 35-34 October ... . 840 972 34.78 41.19 November . 940 992 39.82 43.06 December . . 902 947 39.60 41.53 January ... . 795 790 35.20 36.29 February .. . 639 720 29.52 34.83 March .... . 631 671 30.72 33.34