FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1417, 18 April 1912, Page 8

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

"THE SYDNEY ROYAL,." IMTRESSIONS OF A N.Z. BREEDER. • "They' were not fit to pen in ond-class show in New Zealand." Such was tho opinion expressed by Mr. Ernest Short, tho well-known Feilding Romney breeder, who returned from Sydney yesterday evening by tlio Ulimaroa, discussing the Roinney sheep shown at tno Sydney Roval Show. "Perhaps," added Mr. Short, "'•tho time of the year and the dry weather mado the sheep look so bad, but, nevertheless, tho fact remains." Continuing, tho I'aroraugt . breeder stated that there was a tremendous entry of draught horses, but in his opinion quite 60 per cent, of thorn should not iiavo been allowed in the ring. It appeared to him that the majority were put in for salering purposes, simply to get cheap accommodation, and this, to his mind, lowered tlio tone of tho show. Outsido of tho animals which wero put in by dealers, and which in his opinion should not have been allowed on the ground, as they took from the value of tho good ones, there were some very fine horses shown. The Shorthorns, according to Mr. Short, wero a very good class, and were well brought out, and the Herefords were also a good collection, most of them being owned by the ono breeder, Mr. Reynolds. Ho did not think they were as well developed behind as the New Zealand Herefords, our cattle being moro muscular and heavier in tho bone. Mr. Short is of opinion that any breeder who launches out. in a good stud of Guernseys in New Zealand will come out on top, these cattle, in his opinion, being better all-round animals than cither the Jersey or the Holstein. At tho, samo time, it is interesting to note that he was not .tempted to speculate in Australian Guernsey stock. Mr. Short was impressed by the elaborate buildings for machinery aud implements at tho Sydney gathering. The exhibitors are allowed to put up their own buildings, and to take their space for so manv years. He was particularly struck by the way the show ground was laid out, l>ut at the same time cramping was beginning to be felt. This was not surprising, considering the magnitude of tho show... On one day, for instance, the at-' tendance was 95,000. i LIVE STOCK FROM AUSTRALIA. AN IMPORTANT SHIPMENT. The recent stock sales in connection with tlie Sydney Royal Show resulted in a number of valuable animals passing to New Zealand owners, and the steamer ulimaroa, which arrived from Sj'dney last evening brought over quite a number of the purchase. These include a Clydesdale stallion for Mr. Burke, of Masterton, six thoroughbred horses for Mr. Lowry, of HawkeVßay, a Hereford bull for Mr. Currie, of Kai Iwi, and three thoroughbred horses for Mr. Ernest SUorr, of Feiiding. Consignments for the South Island include 2 merino rams to the order of C. Ferries and Co., Lyttelton, 2 stallions and a dog for Mr. Croy, Lyttelton, and a hackney colt for Mr, D. Wright, Christchurch. Mr. Short's horses include the champion Clydesdale mare of the show. She was bred in Oamaru, and belonged to Messrs. Mitchell and O'Brien. The second is a two-year-old filly, which was placed tnird in her class at tlie show, but which Mr. Short considers equal to winning against the champion in the class anywhere the two were shown. Sho'was bred by Mr. Small, of Canterbury. The third of Mr. Short's string is the well-known jumper, Bayfield. Mr. Currie's Hereford bull was first in his class at the "Royal." FARMERS' UNION. . ELTHAM BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting of the Eltham Branch of the Neiv Zealand Farmers "Union, the secretary submitted a statement of receipts and expenditure which showed a debit of 18s. 30d. It was stated that out of a total membership of 77, 42 were in arrears with their subscriptions. Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed that members should be so negligent in paving their subscriptions, and it was dccided that those members in arrears who have left or are about to leave tho district be notified that if their subscriptions are not paid forthwith, proceedings will be taken to recover them. Tlie meeting also decided to recommend the Provincial Executive to make a strong effort to resuscitate the union throughout the province b.y increasing its membership and collecting outstanding dues. Mr. Buckeridge offering his services, it was' resolved to inform tho ProVincial_ Executive that ho was willing to give his ser-

NEWS AND NOTES,

vices for the purpose of organising the i union, and to recommend tho executive to accept; the oit'er. Tlio lolloping officers were elected for tlio ensuing year:—Chairman, Mr. A. Harrison; vicc-ohairmaa, Mr. C. H. Buckeridge; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. 1L Sim; auditor, Mr. Buckeridge; executive Committee, Messrs. J. Swindlehurst, S. Dawson, A.. Copplestone, J. L\ Murray, W. Pennington, 13. Dawes, A. Harrison, and D. Mannix. , . x • THE HOLSTEIN-FRIESI AN. i ' MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. 1 ■ A meeting of the council of tho association was held at the secretary's office, Palinerston, on' Tuesday afternoon and evening:, and again yesterday morning. There were 'present:—Messrs. Coleman Phillips - (president, in the chair), IrVairarapa; J. Donald, Wanganui; F. H. Leonard, Auckland; A. H. Sheet, Taranaki; A. J. Gallichan, W. I. Lovelock, Palinerston; and W. M'Kenzie, secretary. The secretary was instructed to communicate with Australian breeders with reference to forming a Holstein Association or joining the New Zealand Eerd Book Association. It was decided to present a challenge cup to the South Island for tho champion cow,* to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals, the first competition to take place at the Southland A recommendation was passed to tho incoming council that the championship medals, which this year go to "Wairarapa, be allotted to Auckland A. and P. Association in 1913. . The treasurer submitted o. statement, showing tho finances to be in a very health condition. The price of the first volume of the Herd Book, which is now ready for issue, vas fixed at «£1 Is. to members and £2 2s. to non-members, and it was resolved that entries for Volume II close on June 15 next. ~ The date of the annual meeting of members was fixed for Thursday, June 20, at 7.30 p.m. . , The official list of judges was ievised, and several names added. A considerable amount of discussion took place as to what entries should be received for Volume II of the Herd Book, and it was decided to make a recommendation to the incoming council that no more Section II bulls be accepted after "the issue of Volume II of tho Herd ■ Tho president, Mr. Colman Phillips, was presented with a copy of Volnmc # I of the Herd Book as a mark of appreciation of his services to tho association. The Auckland Committee wrote asking for further representation on the council, and it was resolved to give notice of motion for the annual meeting that the number of the council be raised from five to seven, in addition to the president and vice j president, so that both the North and South can be fully represented on the council. Messrs. Donald and Street retire from the coilncil at tho annual meeting, but are eligible for reelection, and it was decided to nominate the following as members of the next council Messrs. A. H. Street (Taranaki), J. Donald (Wanganui), F. H. Leonard (Auckland), C. C. Buckland (Cambridge), N. E. Leighton (Invercargill), and G. Aitchison (Ivaitangata). It was arranged to, conduct a register of merit, and Messrs. \ Lovelock and Gallichan were appointed, a sub-committee to go into the matter. A circular prepared by the president, in reference ■to the formation of a dairy farmers' league, was discussed at considerable length, but it was decided to ask the co-operation of the Jersey and Ayrshire Associations before taking further action in the matter. A mass cf routine business was dealt with. ELTHAM DAIRY COMPANY, OUTPUT FOR MARCH. The Eltham Dairy Co. manufactured in March 215,7G61b. of butter, and paid out to suppliers .CS9I4, at the rate of lljd. per lb: In the corresponding month last year the quantity manufactured was 199,1901b., and the pay-out .£7060, tho rate then being lOd. per lb., so it will be seen that there was an increase both in output and pay-out in March this year as compared with March last year. The same remarks apply to January and February. Taking the respective seasons from September to March inclusive, tho figures are: —1910-11, 1668, 9131b. manufactured, paid to suppliers; 1911-12, 1,652,7441b. manufactured, .£67,921 paid out. The present season so far, therefore, shows a comparative shortage in the output of 1G,1'691b„ but'an increase in the payments of .£7799. STOCK EXPORTS. THE TOTALS FOR MARCH. During last month the exports of stock from New Zealand were 600 h'orses to Australia, five for Pacific Islands, six head of cattle to Australia, aud 37 to Pacific Islands; 103 sheep to Australia, •102 to Pacific Islands, and nine to India. A total of 24 pigs were shipped to the Pacific Islands. Tho Wellington totals were: 160 horses, G cattle, and 2 sheep to Australia. The following are particulars of the horses shipped: 496 draughts (S9 stallions, 284 mares, 81 geldings, 22 colts, 15 fillies, 5 1'oals), 7 half-draughts (4 mares, 3 geldings), 1 medium-draught gelding, 47 thoroughbreds (15 stallions, 7 mares, 3 geldings, 9 colts, 12 fillies, 1 foal), 9 hackneys (1 mares, 5 geldings), 33 light horses (1 stallion, 20 mares, 12 geldings), 10 ponies (5 stallions, 3 mares, 2 geldings), 2 trotting geldings. FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE SOME EARLY REMITS. The various branches of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union are now commencing to frame their remits to the annual conference. At the annual meeting of the Eltham branch of tho union the following remits for the conference were passed .Noxious weeds.—That in view of the spread of noxious weeds, this conferenco urges tho Agricultural' Department-_ to take moro vigorous action in enforcing the Noxious Weeds Act.

Cow-testing.—That the Government be asked to establish a cow-testing association for the Eltham district.

Local bodies franchise.—That in view of recent agitations to secure nn extension of the franchise, including the right to vote on loans to' local bodies, this conference reaffirms plank 7 of the platform of the union.

(I'lank 7 is: That only ratepayers bo empowered to vote on local government matters in counties, road boards, and rural districts.)

Mr. Eustace Lano suggested to .the Inst meeting of the Hastings branch that the following remit bo considered at the conference:—"Seeing that the operations of the graduated land tax do not necessarily result iu increased production, and do result very conspicuously in the sub-divi-sion of large estates amongst speculators, ami that Native land is being acquired wholesale by speculators under long lease, and that, in i both cases, a great area of country is being held up for inflated value, and genuine farmers, desiring to increase production are being heavily handicapped, in the opinion of this union a law should be passed which would cither make improvement as compulsory on freehold or Native lease, as on leases held from the Slate, or else give the State the right of resumption at the price indicated by the value produced."

Some aro born rich, some achieve prosperity, and snmo have wealth thrust upon them. The Factory Manager who installs "Victor" appliances will achieve success, and the shareholders will have profits thrust upon them. "Victor" Vats. TToops, and Cans are the best manufactured, and are used in the leading factories. Manufacturer, Albert J. I'nrtnn, Carterton — Advt. Chick-rearing is not only profitable, but a pleasure, when you feed "A and P" Chick-Raiser. It is complete and pro-perly-blended food for xoung Chicks. Dhtaiaatts txaan all .