FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1547, 17 September 1912, Page 8

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

ROMNEY FLOCK BOOK. ■ A BREEDER'S DILEMMA. . REGISTRATION OF A PUREBRED ' FLOCK. A somewhat peculiar situation in regard to the Romney Marsh Flock Hook is outlined by Mr. W. J. Birch, of Thoresbv, -Uarton, who writes .as follows, under date boptembor 7:-"May I drawrour attention to the very unjust position.! am placed in with regard to the registration ot .10 purebred Romnev ewes, which I purchased from Mr. Donald Grant, :of Ijmarii; lost September. These sheep are - ot, undoubted pure strain, and were entered in the New Zealand Sheep Breeders' Association (South Island) Flock Book. A. duly authorised tranfer was given me on purchase. Bringing them to the North island, 1 made application to the Rouinev Alarsh Sheep Breeders' Association, enclosing tho transfer, for entry in their Flock Book. I'liis was refused, as Mr. Grant had not joined the Romney Marsh Association at its inception. "l then asked the New Zealand Sheep Breeders' Association (North Island) to register them: they did not directly refuse, but intimalcd that as all the Romnev flocks formerly in (heir l>ook' were now entered j in tlio Romney Association Book, they were'averso to opening a Romney sheep again. ' .• r At the last annual meeting of the'Romney Breeders' Association, I' represented my case and proposed a motion which, by 'altering Rule 10, would enable me. and otners m a like position, to enter in their 1' lock Book. My motion was lost 10 votes to 8, so that Vam still debarred. The New Zealand Sheep Breeders' Association (North Island) then asked me, before their assenting 16 enter them here, that I should ask the South. Island Association to do so. I applied to them, and tile-following is their answer:— . Dear sir,—

... Jam directed by the council of tins association, to acknowledge receipt of your letter applying for the registration of your Romnev Marsh flock in the South Island Flock Book. The council wishes me to inform' you that, being a flock-book for South- ' Island flocks only, it regrets there is ■ no place for a liock located in the ' ■ Aorth Island. I might, state that Mr. (.■rants llocic from which vou purchased the 30 ewes was one of the first to be registered in the New Zealand block- Book at the time when the. liomney. flocks of both islands were published in one book.' Faithfullv vours, WM. PEMBERTOXv ' Secretary. ■ T. am thus placed in a truly absurd mi'il tion. I own an undeniably purebred liock, yet I am debarred from registerine them in any existing flock-book. I take it that .by R„le .10 the Romney Marth A«J. watron takes up a most unreasonable and unjust position, arrogating to themselves a olofa monopoly, which I take.it is hot m the intprest of tho breed, and which it is necessary should be exposed and tie--

_[bincethe above letter was received Mr. I m }' ch h ? s received advice from the secretary of the i\ow Zealand Sheep Breeders Association (North Inland) that the council of that association has accepted the fleck tor registration. --Ed.] Unfortunately Not Eligible. . ' Since receipt of tho. above letter from ;ur. iiirch, we have made some further inquiry iijto what appears to be a very peculiar ease, and .we print below- the correspondence which has taken place in regard to the matter of registration flit secretary of the Romnev Breeders' Association (Mr. E. J. AVackrill). replvin» on.December 21 last to Mr. Birch's application Stir .registration of the Hock in question, said:—

"Your'favour of December 18 , . . to hand ... I am returniii;,' herewith the transfer certificates of the ewes purchased from Mr. D. Grant, -of Timarn. These sheep, nnfortunatelv, "re not eligible for entry in our Flock Hook, as Mr. Grant is not a member of this association. If von refer to Kule 40 you will see that "what I state is correct. All these southern breeders were given the opportunity to join ths Komney Association, and a number availed themselves of it, but llr. Giant is not a member." Ir. Birch's Rejoinder. Beplyiug to the above on December 26, nd acknowledging receipt of tho transfer" ertificates for the sheep, Mr. Birch said:— "These jheep, as tan be seen from the New Zealand Sheep Breeders' Flock Book of the South Isiaud, are as pure as any Romney sheep in New Zealand, and it appears to mo that your society in making a rule by which they cannot accept a trunsler of these sheep is acting both in an unjust and impolitic manner. I hope that you will bring this matter before your association that it may receive duo consideration. I am quite willing that these sheep should be inspected at any time by your appoints, as may be arranged; I reserving the right to appoint Air. Alfred Matthews oh my behalf." he Association Adamant. Nothing further transpired until Febnary" 17 last, when the secretary of the oniiicy Breeders' Association advised .Mr; lirch that the correspondence which had assert regarding the entry of the sheep ad been duly placed before the council F the association. ' The council ■ had nanimously resolved that according to le rules of the association there' was o chance of admitting the sheep to the lock Book. pplication to Sheepbreeders' Association, On February 21 last Mr. Birch applied i Mr, J. C. Lane, secretary of tho New ealand Sheepbreeders' Association (North dand) asking that the sheep jn question ? entered in the association's Flock Book * purebred Romneys. The applicant exlouted that the sheep had been, refused [mission to the Bomney Book because 10 breeder had not joined the'Bomney ssociation.' Correspondence ensued between Mr. irch and Mr. Lane, and on August 13 t. Lano wrote:— "In reference to your flock of Romney sheep my council have boen, discussing this with tho Bomney Association, and it is still before them. In the meantime I.am directed to suggest that you apply tn the South'ls- . land for registration of the flock. In ' the event of-the South Island. New Zealand Shsepbreeders' Association declining to accept, this association will then accept them till a definite reply is received from the Komney Association. I understand that they decide at a meeting about November next, if tho South Island Association refuse to accept the sheep, request them to send your papers back to me." Step. Forward at Last. In due course Mr. Birch wrot© to tho mth Island Breeders' Association . exnining tho position and forwnrding the lole of the correspondence. At the same ue ho pointed out that ho was making e application at the request of tho nrth Island Association, he himself conJering that it would be quite out,of ace registering a North Island flock in o South Island book. On September 4 the secretary of the mth Island Association replied that his mncil had ruled that their Flock Book, ping for South Island flocks oulv. there as no place for a flock located in tho forth Island. The writer added that Ir. Grant's flock, from which Mr. Birch nirchnsed the 30 ewes in question, was' me of the first to be registered in five Snv Zenland Flock Book at the time ivhen the Komney flocks of both islands were published in one book. The last letter on tho file is from tlie New Zealand Sheepbreeders' Association (North Island), dnted September 10, in re-, ply to a memo, from .Mr. Birch stating I he result of his application to the South Island Association. Mr. I,ane stated that since the South Island Association had declined to register the (lock his (the North Island) council would register the flock. Romney Breeders' President. With the object of endeavourinr-.to pb-

NEWS AND NOTES.

NEW ZEALAND ANT) CANADIAN CIIEESK. /•JTO rt,sl ? C[,t to cheese. Messrs. Woddcl U». C °; "T"' out llmt t,ls nonunion in finr-" ,°~ m'" n" F " nt r°"° wi "S »>c same i, -\ 'i , D °mimon imports of butter, which in the past ten years hae E more than doubled. The real cau"c of tjie "Mine in imported Dominion i-hcce i» somewhat.paradoxical, for il is due «„ th« nrogrejs and prosperity of one of these Dominions, viz., Canada. That country is increasing in population so rapidly that it, cannot, keep up the supply of ch»p-o in Its homo population, and nt, the same "time continue it) export to the United ml dom, This development (a Caaada U,

MINIOX'was forwarded to Mr.' 'A'. Matthews,- president of tho'Romno'v Breeders' Association. In- his reply Air.' Matthews says:-. „!'.!, tlinnk'.voii for the proof-sheet of . -the. tetter you have received from Mr \\. J. Birch. As the matter alluded ; to is likely to'bo again considered at a meeting- of.the.coilncil a few da vs. - hence, J. do not intend to reply 'to 'it . at present."

A Peculiar Position. ,' . .. The,, attitude adopted by the Romnev breeders Association appears, on the face, oi it, to be somewhat extraordinary, and on otticial explanation.of the association's position, would'clear the air. ThroiHiout the negotiations Mr. Birch lias been very reasonable. In the first place, there appears to be no question as to the purity ot the breeding of tho sheep. Their present owner states that thev are as pure as any Romney sheep in Xew Zealand, and the association obviouslv has no reply to this, butmerely quotes it's rules and states that the sheep are not eligible tor entry in tho Flock Book because their breeder was not a member ot. the association. We have not a eonv ot Ru o 40 to guide us, but we are informed that the effect of Ihe rule is to exclude all sheep -bred in Zealand that were not entered in the book bv a certain date after the formation of ■"Hi" association. All tho southern breeder* it is statedl, were, given an opportunity of joining, the Romney Association, and a number availed themselves of it, but the breeder of the .sheep in question in the present dispute did not, nor did a number of others, who preferred to continue with tho New Zealand Sheep Breeders' Association (South Island). The refusal of the Romney Association to register tho Hock was brought forward by Mr. Birch at Hie annual meeting of the association held at Palmerston during the Winter show, and at this gathering Mr. J. G. Wilson, a member of the asso*ciation, and Dominion president of the tanners' Union, is reported as having expressed the. opinion that the Romnev Marsh Hock Book was practically tho only one in th«> world which was cloud to breeders. By 10 votes to S the association decided to remain in this unique position.

The further consideration of the matter by tho Romaey Breeders' A«ociation as indicated by the president will be awaited with interest.

, Success does not lie in the. number of cows a man keeps, but rather in'his milking methods, and in tho running of his farm generally. One man might own forty cows and be a failure, while his neighbour with ten head makes a tidy fortune. The former adheres to handmilking. The- latter milks his cows bv means of a, good Milking.Plant, driven bv a reliable "Ander?c>n" Oil Engine. And :thereby hangs a tale: The "Anderson" Engine is made in New Zealand, and is specially suited for use by New Zealand farmers. It is so simple that the average school boy or girl is quite capable of looking after it. Other points that make the "Anderson" the farmer's engine are its thorough reliability, and the very low upkeep expense. Order an "Anderson" with your Mincing Machine. Anderson's, Ltd ChristchJupch.—Advt.

"There's money in it," is an observation sufficient in.itself to make the average factory manager cock his ears. And .if he has any "go" in hirii he gets at the root of the niatter in doubii-ouick time._-This accounts for the great success of "Victor", Vats—there's money in them, as dairy men quickly. realise. Better send along that order to-day. Albert J, Parton, Carterton.—Advt.

A WINNER OV COMPETITIONS. The Egg-laying competitions for 1910-11 and 1911-12 wero both won by pens reared on 'A. and P." Chick Kaiser. The first essential for profitable poultry keeping. Obtainable from all Storekeepers.—Atlvt. COMMERCIAL ITEMS. INVESTMENT SHAREH. There were r.o transactions in investment shared yesterday. The Quotations wero as under:— Buyers. Sellers i > . £ s. d. £ s. d. National Bank 6 10 — Equitable Building - 10 0 0 Fcilding Gas 10 6 Well. Gas (£10) - IS 2 6 Well. Gas (pref.) t — 110 Standard Insurance 111 6 1 12 9 ■ Christchurch Meat 15. 7 6 'Gear Meat (£<) - 13 2 6 Meat Export (525. 6d.) ... — 3 10 Taringamutu.Totnra — 2 6 3 Donaghy Rope and Twine 15 3 —, Golden Bay Cement 10 0 110 N.Z. Con. Dental — 12 0 Sharlnnd's preference — 13-3 BIG BRIDGE CONTRACT. The largest individual bridge contract which has been placed in Greiit Britain since that tor the Forth Bridge has just been secured, by British engineering firms. In competition with . Belgium, Germany, and the large American, structural firms allied with the United .States Steel Trust. This contract comprises the whole of the steel work required in tho new railway and road bridge which te being built to carry the Eastern Bengal State Railway over tho Lower-Ganges. The. bridge, exclusive of approaches, will consist of. fifteen main spans, caoli no loss than 359 ft. in length, and 52ft. in depth at centre, and weighing 13C0 tons each. There will be provision for a double broad gauge railway track, a,nd also a footway, carried upon cantilevers outside the main girders. The foundations, for, the masonry piers, upon which the' fifteen spans will rest are to be carried 150 ft. below the bod of the Ganges, in order to guard against tho. deep scour of tho river. Early, completion was an important ■feature in .the award of the contract. Tho bridic is to cost a million and a quarter sterling. PROSPECTS FOR BUTTER AND CHEESE. Dealing with the prospects for the son just about- to begin, Messrs. W. Wcddel and Co., in their annual review of the trade, stato:— Butter—The excessively hot and ■ drv Weather of last summer left as a. legacv a great reduction in the number of milch cows both in- the United Kingdom and in the butter exporting countries of Europe. It is estimated that tho reduction will bo over IM.CCO cows in the United Kingdom, and. from the same cause, a. sftnilnr proportionate reduction in Europe Exceedingly little fodder is left in this eouutrv from last year, and the production of hay this year is thus far only about three/puritan of a good average crop. Under these conditions the moke of butter in Europe and in this country cn.nnot ho so much.as in a normal year, though, doubtless, it will bo much in excess of the twelve months just ended. / • From Australia, shipmonls are expected to be.about the sa.mo as this year: Queensland and New South Wales may ship moro. .but Victoria will probably show some reauotapn; New Zealand, it is estimated, will Hup less than in the past year. In America the production to date Is more than. , while in Canada less than, and in Siberia about the same as, that of last year. Oneese.-Thc make of cheese in the United Kragdom to date is much beyond that of 1911. but not above the average of other years. It is, however, being pressed for mo i c . tM",< l6U . al ' because of the high prices obtainable since the season bogauconsequently, if the make be normal, sleeks f.™ n Y mt T rons£ onst > m P«on will bo less than usual.. In Canada the make for May and June is about 10 per cent, less thiri in Tn U Wr in £ l Y lrt J 7 ',° the being late ™n N ™, Zca,l i n ?: clurii " r tho coming se a . son. many butter factories propose to make cheese, which will necessarily tend 8 "IS" , from that source Notwithstanding the largo increase In tho consumption of margarine, and tho many strikes that have arisen in the past year it f 3 anticipated that the domand for butter and cheese will be well maintained during the coming season Kf.,, jn g I" KrU ™? employment in a industries show no signs of retiring from their.nrcscnt strong positrons. i, A!mJu , raail y/onnicUng conditions it a difficult to make any reliable forecast hLS o?r c i' of , tht i Position of huttcr mid cheese leads Messrs. Wcdd«l to ?, conclusion that prices of both articles «ill be much below those of 1911-12 but above the average of the preceding years.

bringing prosperity to the Dominion of „,?"' which is preparing to take over the business which Canada vcar by year is less and less able to carry on. n the past ten year* Canadian impori:. nave fallen oil by 15.C00 lens, while New Zealand import* have increased to the extent, of 22,050 tons. The statements made that Canada will cease to oiport by llio year 1916 may have some foundation, in view of the enormous rate of increase in her population, mostly by immigration" and -Messrs. Wocldcl counsel Now Zealand 'nickers to prepare for probable .development* in Canada-. STATION PROrEBTIES SOLD. Messrs. Dalgety and Co. report the sale of the following Marlborough station properties at scitisfaiYbry pricos:—tfcadowbank, 19.K0 acres freehold, 7000 sheep on account of .Mrs. E. Bell, to K. F. J. Oricg Canterbury: Gladstone Estate, acres freehold, 9SCO acres leasehold. SCOO sheep, h. M. Neville, to C. Bell, of Christrhuvch: Tymcsfieiil. 10.C03 acre.-, freehold. 6COO =h"cn It. F. Goulter, to Gricc Bros.; Canterbury. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLEGRAM. Tlie Department of Agriculture. Industries, and Commerce has received the following cablegram from the High Commi«nioner for New Zealand, dated London September 14. 1912. (Note:—Oiiotition"!. unless otherwise specified, are average market prices on spot):— Mutton.-The market is firm, with a, hardening tendency, and shows signs of strength. High prices are restricting business for retail, but there is a- general and active demand for future delivery. Canterbury, lid. per lb.; North Islajid, *Jd. Lamb.—The market is firm. A good demand for heavy-weights. Canterbury, 53d per lb.; other than Canterbury, 5Jd. Bccf.-Thc market is firm. Buver? are malting forward purchases at " prt=cnt prices. N.Z. hinds. 4d. per lb.: fores. 3f,d. Butter.—The butter ma.rket is firm for best quality, but quiet for ordinary Quality, fairly large quantities of which arc at present in store. The shipment of butter ex s.s. Botorua arrived in good condition. Choicest New Zealand. 120s. per cwt.- - Danish, 1285.; Australian. 1125.; Siberian' . ICBs. Cheese—The market is steady. The aver- ' ago price for the week for finest. New Zca- ! land cheese, per cwt., is 675.; Canadian. 66s • < English Cheddar, 735. " j Homp.-Tho market is firm at the advance j Reports from Manila indicate high price in distant deliveries. Spot: New Zealand good fair grade. £27 10s. per ton: fair crade. , £26; forward shipment at same price; fair current Manila, snot, £27 10s. per ton; for- ' ward shipment, £23 per ton. The output t from Manila for the week was 23,000 bales. 1 Customs duties collected at the port, of r Wellington yesterday amounted to £5666 ~ 2s. <td. :

t FROZEN MEAT. By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright

London, September 15. The Incorporated Society of Meat Importers Smithficld market Quotations for tho undermentioned classes of frozen meat are based on actual sales of not less than one hundred carcasses of mutton or lamb, or twenty-five quarters of beef of fair average quality. The quotations are not for selected . lines, but for parcels fairly representative of the bulk of the shipments now on tho market. The prices which follow are on the average a farthing per ]b. more -nan tho values ex ship, this difference representing a.n average cost in espense, handling, conveyance, and selling tho meat:— ~ ~ ' Sept. 7. Sept. 14. Mutton— d. d. Canterbury, licht 43 ' 41U6 Canterbury, medium 48 411-'6 Canterbury, heavy 4J 45.16 Southland 41 f\ North Island, best 14) 43 North Mand. ordinary ... 4J 4J Australian, light 4 3-16 M Australian, heavv — — River Plate, light - - P.ivcr Plate, heavy <3 4j> New Zealand ewes 4J 41 Australian ewes 4j 41 River Plato ewes — — LambCanterbury, -light 513-16 513-16 Canterbury, mi'dinm ...... 53 52 Canterbury, heavy 5 5-16 53 Southland 53 58 North Island, ordinary... 5 9-16 5 9-16 North Island.' selected ... 55 53' Australian, best — — Australian, fair — — Australian, inferior -- — Itivcr Plate, first - — Iliver Plate, second - — Beef- ' ' New Zealand, ox fores ... l\ i\ Now Zealand ox hinds ... H 315-16 Australian ox fores 31-16 3 3-1G ■ Australian, ox hinds 33 33 liivor Plate frozen fores... 3 31-16 River Plate frozen hinds 35 315-16 Eiver Plate chilled fores 3 31 Eiver Plate chilled hinds 4J 42 Rabbits.—There is a brisk trade. Now South Wales, ex store, 186.; Victorian, 17s. WHEAT. London, September 15. The wheat market is firm, but quiet. Australian January-February, 9d. CEMENT. Cemcut is quoted at ss. Bd. and 63. 4d. METALS AND METAL GOODS. London, September 15. Copper.—For forward delivery, £73 2s. 6d. Tin.-Spot, £525 10s.; three months, £222 15s. Galvanised iron, £17 and £14 15s. Tin. plates. £15 Is. 6d. and £16 Is. 6d. Fencing wire, 1655. Tram Vails, 113s. Wire netting, 55 per cent, and 5 per cent, off list. MINING IS f EWS. WELLINGTON SHARE MARKET. Yesterday, New Sylvias showed a, firmer tendency on more encouraging news from the mine. Talismans were firmer, and Waihi Grand Junctions were slightly higher. The soles recorded yesterday were as under:— New Sylvia, Is. 6d. (first call). Talisman. 41s. (first call). Waihi, 375., 375., 375. (first call). Waihi Grand Junction, 235. Ed. (second call).

T. 113 burins and selling quotations were as under::—

Buyers. Sellers. £ s. d. £ s. d. Dominion 0 0 3 — Kuvanui Caledonian 0 13 0 16 Mountain King 0 0 3 — Mountain King 0 0 3 — ' New Sylvia. 0 16 0 17 Occidental — 0 15 Ross Reconstructed 0 5 0 0 5 4 Saxon 0 0 10 — Talisman 2 0 6 2 10 Waihi 1 16 6 1 17 0 Vnihi Grand Junction ... 1 3 0 13 9 Waitangi rr, 0 0 11. 0 10 The Wellington Stock Exchange received the following telegram yesterday from the ! esrretaryof the New Sylvia Co.:—Manager wired Saturday—No. 3 level, last six feet, aat-ay £4 10s. Secured 301b. picked stone from stope; gold showing No. 4 level, last six feet, assay £2 9s. 6d. "STOCK EXCHANGE. (Bj Tclegraj>h.-Pres3 Association.} Auckland, September 16. Business done at this morning's call — -New Sylvia, Is. 7d., 1... 6d. Waitangi, lid. to Is. Id. Waihi, £1 17s. Grand Junction. £1 3s. 6d., £1 3s. 9d. • New Waitaia, Is. New Zealand River Plate, £2 Is. 3d. Wertport Coal. £1 Bs. 3d. New Zealand Portland Cement, £1 7s. 6d. The following business was done at the 3.15 p.m. call:— •■ New Sylvia, Is. 6d. Waitangi Consolidated, lljd. ' Ross Goldflelds, ss. Waihi, £1 17s. Mountain King, 4d. •m. ~, • Dunedln, September 16. rho following sales were made on the Stock Exchange to-day:— Waihi. Grand Junction, £1 3g. 6d. (two parcels). The following sales were reported;— Rise and Shine, £1 3s. N.Z. Drug, £2 lis. 3d. Waihi Grand Junction, £1 3e. 6d. £t 3b. 7d,