JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16417, 10 January 1919, Page 3

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

There appears to be little shortage of labour in Poverty Bay, as far as harvesting work is concerned. Speaking to a v.'ell-known farmer at To Karaka, a Gisborno "Times" representative was informed that the harvesting had been done without trouble by elderly boys j and middle-aged men. They -were paid 2s an hour, and the great majority worked ten hours on a line day, thus earning, £1. The high wages might appear attractive, he stated, but it must be remembered that the work did not last very long, though when it was concluded these workers shifted on to another farm. To his mind, the shortage of men for public works was due to a large extent to the better wages to bo. made on other work. In contract fencing, for instance, he knew of men who earned £'2 a day. The manufacture of potato flour has been introduced into England as a new industry, and in view of its possibilities the Ministry of Food is arranging to supply the necessary machinery on favourable terms to those who have suitable buildings in potato-growing districts. This machinery will produce potato flake, which can be ground into flour in existing flour mills. This industry was carried out in Germany prior to the war, somo fire hundred'potato flour machines being in use. Mr J. C. Cooper, managing director of the Wellington Farmers' Meat Company, states that an extension of the Imperial meat purchase to July 1920. is eminently desirable. He declares that) if the companies do not get a renewal it will be quite impossible for them to carry on their ordinary business. They would begin next year with the stores full of Imperial meat, which would have i to l>e .shipped before they got rid of • their own. The companies could not ' afford to buy with the' object of {jelling i | from twelve to eighteen months ahead., ; A more important thing than shipping, > in tlio opinion of Mr Cooper, was that an extension of the purchase was required to carry the companies over the transition period, when trado was in an uncertain co-ndilion and finance was dif- . ficult. SOUTH MALVERN DISTRICT. The resignation of Mr Arthur Henage Burkitt as one of the South Malvern, Cemetery trustees lias been received. He was appointed in 1901 in place of Mr Edward McMijlan, deceased. Mr Burkitt has been in failing health for some time, which necessitates his retirement from public affairs. ASHBURTOX. Mr Clayton. of Peel Forest\ who has an apiary of 500 hives, states that the season is going to bo a record one for honey. Tho growth of white clover in the district is abnormal and honey is plentiful. An Ashburton resident is aranging to motor twenty returned soldiers to the farm to demonstrate the lucrative business of bee-keeping. At the monthly meeting of the Ashburton W.C.T.U., Mrs AV: T. Lill presided. Several appointments were made to departmentaf committees, and others hold over. Mr Jack, organiser for the New Zealand Alliance, was prosent. and briefly addressed the members on work connected with the forthcoming poll. It was decided to procure pamphlets for distribution. The monthly meeting of the Ha nipstead Town Board was iield on Wednesday evoning, when Mr W. H. Robinson presided. The chairman reported a debit balance cf £279 9s 9d. The Board decided to pass a similar resolution to the Alexandra Council that the Public Health department should undertake the control and care of all incurable tuberculosis patients. It was agreed to inform the Ashburton Cemetery Board that tho quota, £44, towards the asphalting of the side-walk to tho cemetery was outsido the Board's finance, and consequently it could not support the proposal. The Finance Committee was asked to report at next meeting on the rates still owing by or dependants of soldiers.