GENERAL FARM NOTES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 119, 6 February 1918, Page 8

GENERAL FARM NOTES

Though general entries foi, the Masterton Show closed on. February 4, late-en-tries will be received up till Saturday, Febrnary 9, on payment of Is. each late entry ..fee:. The show is to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 19 1 and 20, and as there are i number of new attractions and novelties this year the exhibition is . expected to attract a very largo attendance.* At the Dannevirke sheep fair, to be held on Friday, the Hawke's Bay Farmers' Co-operative Association, Ltd., will offer the whole of the sheep from Cassin's property at South Jlakaraetu, which is being administered by the Official Absigneo in bankruptcy. The 6tock comprises roughly 600 two-tooth -wethers, 60ft early-shorn Lincoln-cross lambs, and about 500 breeding ewes. WELLINGTON GAS COMPANY ANNUAL REPORT. The report on tho working of the Wellington Gas Company for the year ended December 31 last opens as follows"Owing to the abnormal conditions now prevailing, tho sale of gas hag declined, and there has been an unavoidable deterioration in quality." inference is also made to the labour difficulty In July, and the report proceeds:— "Extreme diffloulty haß also arisen in respect to the supplies of coal, the price of which has not only reached a mnch higher figure than in 1916, but for many months past no coal other than that produced in the Dominion has been available, and the deliveries scarcely sufficient to keep the works going, These and other causes consequent upon the war have adversely affected the gas consumption. The greatly enhanced cost\ of coal and other materials has necessitated a considerable advance in the price of gas. The taxation paid by the company during the oast year, amounting to £12.540 18s; 9d„ is canal to 55 per cent, upon tho paid-up capital on the ordinary-shares of the company. "Tho question of depreciation of the company's plant has been serioußly considered by the board daring the year, and in November a resolution was adopted involving the writing off of an annual instalment of £11,398. This amount has been.debited to profit and loss, and as a contributing item the depreciation reserve of £3000 has been absorbed. "The balance of iroflt and loss is £43,399 Os. Id. Out of this sum has been paid:— Preference share dividend for year £3727 12s. 4d., and interim dividend of 2) per cent, on ordinary shares, £5894 10s„ making £9622 2s. 4d.-£33,776 17s. 7d.. including transfer of depreciation reserve, £3000, £36,776 17s. 9d.; less transferred to plant depreciation reserve, £11.398, and to reserve for taxation, 1918-19. £10,000—£21.389: leaving a balance of £15,378 17s, 9ii, out of which the directors recommend the payment of a further dividend of 2i per cent., inuring 5 per cent, for tho year, absorbing £5894 10s., and carrying forward £9484 7b. 9d. The retiring directors are Dr. 0. P. Knight and Mr. D. J. Nathan, both of whom being eligible, offer themselves for re-olection." The following comparative statement has jecn prepared from the company's re--1917. 1916. 1915, £' £ £ i/orking expenses ... 99,380 84.628 78739 Sales, rents, etc. ... 122,418 113.475 107.P6R New services, No. ... ?B1 524 466 Gas cookers sold, No. 532 784 831 Bath hcatcrß sold, No. 224 230 292 Washing coppers sold, No. 97