Review of the District

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 115, 9 June 1941, Page 3

Review of the District

PROGRESS OF THE BAY ADVANCE OF PRIMARY PRODU CTTOiN An interesting review of the progress of the Whakatane district was •* given by Mr A. J. Canning, president of the Winter Show Association, when speaking at the official opening held on Wednesday last. "Addressing the Hon. J. G. Barclay. Minister of Agriculture, and the assembly Mr Canning s?poke as follows :— Once again I have the pleasure of addressing you on the occasion of the opening of our Show. The event marks the, fourteenth annual exhibition to be held in Whakat'ane and I feel proud of the fact that my committee in spite of the growing strain imposed by the war, has decided to carry on and maintain ; a;n unbroken sequence in the chain of successful shows which have been held in the past. Progresis of District. In passing I would like to comment on the wonderful transforma- . lion which has taken place in and about Whakatane within the short space of twenty years. Backed by the wonderful fertility cf the Rangitaiki Plains our town has prospered until it has tripled its population in that space; of time. The transformation of the swamp to the green pastures which are so wellknown to-day is exemplified in no better way than by a survey of the great and still growing dairying industry. In 1,920, the Rangitaiki Plains Company produced just 61 tons: of butter. Last year no less than 4550 tons came off the plains (just over 75 times the original amount). Dairying Industry. The tremendous change was established in and about Whakatane' a belt of pasture land which know-: no peer anywhere else in the world. A sure barometer of the rise of dairying in and district arc the figures furnished by the Herd Testing Association. In the Eastern Bay of Plenty area there are no fewer than 40,000 cows under test at the present time (including an increase of 12,000 cows for the present year). The splendid record by the champion herd was 105 cows averaging no less than 4001bs fat for a singlei season. Proud Achievement. I think sir, you will agree with me that this would constitute an achievement of which any district might be proud. The bacon industry is also finding a ready response in the l4i.y of Plenty, where the Pig Council controls no less than 42 individual clubs embracing 514 members, and it is pleasing to note that seven ciubs arei within the Native Development area, and are thriving well. Maize Growing. The appeal for greater maize production by the Government, was answered loyally on the Rangitaiki— in the 1939-40 season 3373 acres were sown. Last year this, was: almost tripled the area being 5556 acres* excluding the area of 3292 acres put down by tliej Native Department alone. Thus the total acreage is 884S acres —something of an achievement fur one individual district to produce. Cattle Movements. It is also interesting to note thr> amazing figures of cattle movements from this district. During the past year no less than 28,793 cattle were railed from Whakatane —an increase of 794 on the figures for the previous year. Sheep and pigs numbered (57,271 also an increase of 17,935 on the previous year. This will illustrate the importance of the rail service to a thriving, progressive agricultural district such as ours. Record l Herds. I would like to mention, in passing t'le performance of one individual herd from the plains. I refer to that milked by Mr L. Berg, who farms an area of 120 acres on which lie 66 cows the average for which during the 1940-41 season was 4201bs of iai. In sddition the farm .*SO 2 year old heifers, 27 yearlings 2 year r id bulls and 25 heifer calves, All sleek arc pedigrees and the last year's average was 4091bs fat. Paper Mills. I cannot conclude without referring to the Whakatane Paper Mills. This great commercial venture cost no less than £600,000 to establish. To-day if the equipment were available it could not be built for £1,000.000. The mill works thrne shif'r-

seven days per week and cmjpl'oj'ft 23') hands. The wepkly wages bill is .i2OOO, an average of £8 per man. All labour is recruited in the Bay of Plenty. Last year the company paid to the railway freight charges amounting to £60,000. Surprising Figures. Here are some figures which will surpiisc yon. The mill uses 32,000 tons of coal per year, 650 tons per week or nine trucks, per day. Last month the cardboard railed to Australian and Ncav Zealand consumers totalled in value £40,000. The average monthly cutput last year about this time was £17,000 so you can appreciate the groAving efficiency of the mill in spite of the labour difficulties. It is estimated that by producing cardboard in New Zealand Lhe company is saving the Government no less than 750,000 dollars per w.tur in dollar conservation. Usefulness of Show. From the foregoing I think you will vi'l.l agree that we have a town and district of which we may be justifiably proud. By virtue cf the annual show we are endeavouring to direct attention to its growth and splendid possibilities. Therefore 1 have no hesitation in endorsing to the full the decision of my committee to 'carry on' with the Show and with them I trust that peace will find our town still prospering, expanding and achieving.