FUTURE OF WAIHI

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 9099, 14 May 1945, Page 2

FUTURE OF WAIHI

POTENTIALITIES OF DISTRICT , REVIEW BY THE MAYOR THREE STRINGS TO THE BOW Waihi and district’s past record and future prospects in both primary and secondary industry were comprehensively reviewed by the Mayor, Mr W. M. Wallnutt, in the course of his address of welcome af the civic reception held recently to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry. ‘ As I am sure that Mr Parry is interested in matters affecting both mining and farming in the Waihi district, I want to take the opportunity of referring to certain facts relative thereto, not generally known, and which go to show that the business of farming round about us has rapidly developed into a very important and valuable industry which should have the result of bringing these two industrial communities closer together for the common weal,” said Mr Wallnutt. Cattle, Sheep and Pigs

“Sheep-raising in the district has so rapidly increased that Waihi’s first sheep fair, held in January, attracted much attention, the quality of store lambs calling forth very favourable comment by outside buyers. The number of sheep at present being grazed by local farmers includes 11,000 breeding ewes, 2000 store lambs, 1500 fat and store wethers and 4000 fat lambs supplied to the export trade. Many farmers run a small flock, and quite a few over 500 breeding ewes, producing fat and store lambs. A small flock of stud Southdowns is run by Mr A. H. Blackmore, a well-known pioneer farmer of . this district. Figures appertaining to other stock are as follow. —Pigs: Fat pigs for works, 5000; total pigs inclusive of fat pigs, 18,000. Fat bullocks: One thousand are sent to the freezer every year, also 2000 fat cows and between 400 and 500 fat heifers. Mr A. E. Chester, of Ford Road, runs a very fine herd of 200 bullocks, producing some of the finest beef in the. world. A visit to this farm emphasises in itself what can be achieved with the lands of the Waihi Plains. Close on 2000 dairy heifers are raised yearly in the Waihi district, replacing cull cows. Depreciation on account of culls is very small indeed, the average being 17 per cent., compared with 25 per cent, in the Waikato. “Quite a number of farmers have stud dairy stock of Jersey, Ayrshire and Holstein cattle. During the past

twelve months a little over 4000 head of cattle have been sent to the freezing works by Mr O. Bjerring, who is a prominent farmer of the district. More than 200 store bullocks w r ere purchased by four local farmers at a recent fair at Whakatane. Of the cattle sold at the fair of a value of £IB,OOO, with the exception of the purchase made on account of such a huge concern as Westfield, the largest consignment was sent to Waihi. About a fortnight ago Mr Blackmore sent a Holstein bullock to the works which, when dressed, tipped the beam at the great weight of 11161bs—a fine advertisement for the Waihi district.

Butterfat and Gold “And now for the important question of butterfat production: The butterfat production this year from Waihi Plains, inclusive of Waitawheta and Waitekauri districts, is estimated to reach at least 2,000,000 lbs of fat at Is 8d per pound, representing a monthly payment of approximately £14,000. Inclusive Of dry stock, the total number of dairy cow’s is estimated at 20,000 and butterfat production is about threequarters of the general farming returns. Other farm returns in the way of pigs, poultry, sheep and dry stock materially swell the total ' value. Although Katikati is a separate district, its activities in connection with the Internal Marketing Scheme in producing cabbage, carrots and onions is reflected in local business by way of a material increase in banking figures. “Referring to Waihi as the most prominent mining centre in the Dominion over a period of 55 years since then then existing claims held by the Martha Company of that time' passed into the hands of the Waihi! Company, the total value of bullion ! (gold and silver) has now reached the enormous figure of slightly over 1 £23,000,000. Allowing for the four-*;

weekly pay, the monthly pay-out is in the vicinity of £15,000. It is to be hoped that when hostilities cease, when the demand for experienced miners will be met, and the many restrictions consequent on the war are removed, our world-famous mine will take on a new lease of life, and in conjunction with the wonderful strides made in our farming industry, Waihi will take its stand as one of the, most progressive towns in the Dominion. Another Important Asset “Not many outside Waihi are aware of th,e fact that within our, gates we have a most important industry in the Akrad Radio Corporation. Apart from considerable national contribution in the way of defence production, it has been a major asset to the town. For the year 1944-45 Akrad will have biought into the town some £25,000, of which over £20,000 will be paid in the form of wages to the hundred members of the staff. Practically all these monies will be spent in the town with local business people, and such an amount represents a very worthwhile percentage of the town’s annual spending capacity, and it is in this way that Akrad is locally important. Now, what of the future? Ninety per cent, of the present staff indicate that they, wish to continue with the firm after the war, and there are others coming back. Because of certain conditions peculiar to the electrical industry the change-over when peace comes will probably not be as simple as in the majority of industries. Let us hope that the success of Akrad will subsequently lead to the establishment of other industries in our midst. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that the managing-director is our worthy deputy-Mayor, Mr Keith M. Wrigley, a young and capable business man.”