FAT STOCK PRICES RISE

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1934, Page 8

FAT STOCK PRICES RISE

SUITABLE ANIMALS SCARCE. DIFFICULTIES OF THE BUTCHERS. A shortage of station-bred cattle such as bullocks, steers and breeding cows is apparent throughout the back country, and is one reason why beef is dear and liable to become more so. Similarly, the type of sheep required by butchers, notably wethers, are also scarce. It is very difficult at the present time, a Stratford butcher told a Daily News reporter yesterday, to procure well-fin-ished beef animals at a reasonable price, and within the past six weeks good beef has risen in price by about £2 a head. The shortage of sheep suitable for killing was acute, making mutton “almost a luxury for the table.” Retailers in Taranaki, however, have not yet made any advance in their prices over the counter, hoping that-the unusual rise will be only temporary. Traders are travelling as far as Feilding to secure suitable stock, and in many instances are forced on account of their need to pay' exceptionally high prices, plus the freight charges to have the cattle brought into the Stratford district. Already in almost every centre the prices for most classes of meat have risen from jd to lAd a lb. In fact, the shortage in the Auckland province is so acute that Auckland buyers recently invaded the Waverley and Waitotara country and cleared out several hundred heat of first-class cattle to meet the requirements of the Auckland district. That fact alone gives some indication of the state of the fat stock market, not only in Central Taranaki but also throughout the North Island. GENERAL ITEMS. Ngaire to Pay Id Bonus. A bonus of per lb. butterfat will be paid for the whole cheese-making season by the Ngaire Dairy Company on September 20. This will make 9Jd for the season, with a little more to be paid on further realisations. Measles at Eltham. A decrease in attendance of nearly 100 children at the Eltham school resulted on opening day this week, chiefly due to an epidemic of measles and whooping cough. Each day there was a larger attendance, and it is hoped that by the end of next week the attendance will be back to normal. Beautification at Eltham. The neat appearance of the lawns and flower beds at the Eltham railway station will be added to by the donation of 30 shrubs by Mr. W. G. Hayward, Ngaere. ( Rawhitiroa Tennis Dance. To raise funds for a volley board and new wire netting a successful flag five hundred and dance was held by the Rawhitiroa Tennis Club on Thursday. Eight tables were occupied, the winners being Mr. P. O’Connor and Miss P. O’Connor. Silver’s Sunbeams played the dance music, and Mrs. Clince played an extra. Monte Carlo dances were "won by Mr. J. Weedon and Mrs. Clince and Mr. L. O’Connor and Miss J. Thomas. A competition for a cake donated by Mrs, F. Silver was won by Mrs. O. Gernhoefer. The club captain, Mr. L. Stretton, thanked Mrs. Silver for the donation of the cake, and the president, Mr. F. Silver, thanked all who had assisted to make the evening a success. Messrs. F. Silver and L. Jenkins were masters of ceremony. Sales of Sportsdale Property. After an existence for many years, the Sportsdale Tennis Club has decided to dispose of its property at the comer of Seyton and Portia Streets. It is understood that the land, which contains two grass courts, will be used for the erection of private residences. OHURA PERSONAL ITEMS. REBEKAH LODGE DANCE. Mrs. Tunnicliffe recently arrived at Ohura, where she will live in future. Miss Bettjr Henderson has returned from a holiday at Wellington. Mrs. Abbott spent the school holidays with her mother, Mrs. W. Mackay. Mrs. W. Mackay entertained at bridge on Tuesday evening. Miss Betty Allen is spending a few weeks at Napier, where she is the guest of Mrs. B. J. Haines. Mrs. W. Mackay invited some old friends to meet her daughter, Mrs. Abbott, on Thursday afternoon. Miss I. MacClure entertained at bridge on Friday evening. The Rebekah Lodge held a euchre party and dance in the town Hall on Friday evening. Mr. McLeod wbn the knitted jumper, Mrs. Ginders the women’s prize for euchre, and Mr. Risk the men’s prize. Supper was provided by • the women’s committee. Miss Lacy played for the dances. Mrs. Fretwell played an extra. Mrs. A. Wills has returned to Ohura after visiting Western Taranaki. Mrs. Turnbull is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Eastwood, at Te Kuiti. Miss Ella Turnbull entertained friends on Monday evening. Mrs. Marshall visited Auckland for a few days last week. iMiss Hoare, Auckland, is the guest of Mrs. Marshall. Mrs. Armstrong has returned to Ohura, after a holiday at Palmerston North. A few members of the Rebekah Lodge (Ohura) motored through to Taumarunui to attend the opening of a new ladies’ Rebekah Lodge. Ohura women present were Mesdames Sheridan, Borthwick, P. Wind, Fowler, Perini, Fretwell, Hunt and Misses L. and A. Borthwick. Mrs. Harold Seerup was hostess last week at a party to celebrate the fifth birthday of her son Jimmie. About 20 children were present. Among the children present were Masters Jimmie, Len and Tim Seerup, Ben Walsh, Brian Goldfinch, John Cole, Jack McClenaghan, Alec Fyfe, and the Misses Betty and June Walsh (Taumarunui), June Stapleton (Wellington), Winnie Hills, Waveney MacClure, Bub Carlson, Noleen Stuart, Gwenda Howie, Monica and Eileen Fyfe. Weather in August. During August the weather was seasonable, frost and fog being followed by rain. There were five days of sunshine. Rain fell on 17 days. Tire three wet months of this winter recorded a heavier rainfall than the corresponding period last year, the figures being 18.55 inches for 1934, against 15.95 inches for 1933. A strong working bee of members of the newly-formed bowling club started the erection of a club-house and did preliminary work on the formation of the green. Tea and toast always a favourite—but Hotpoint Toasters make it better, 30/-. National Electrical Co. 6