AUCTION SALES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 264, 27 July 1918, Page 10

AUCTION SALES

FOKTHCOMINQ FIXTURES. t MONDAY. ' rruit Exchange, Allen Street, Wellington, ; 11 a.m.—Sale of produce (Laery and Co.). Queen Street, Levin, 1 p.m.-Sale of stock and implements (N.Z. Loan Co.). TUESDAY. Lovin Yards, 12.15 p.m.-Stock sale (Dalgety and Co., Abrnjiam and Williams, ... N.Z. Loan Co.). : BOARD OF AGRICULTURE FLOCK . BOOK RULES AND OTHER ' QUESTIONS DISCUSSED. ■During the past week the Board of •Agricultnrc held several meetings, under the presidency of Sir James G. Wilson, nnd discussed with (ho Hon. Minister and tliD'Director-General ol Agriculture (Dr. Reakcs) a number of matters nffecting tho agricultural and pasioral industry, and the reorganisation of tho Department of Agriculture. A letter was received from the Romney _ Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association stating that it had been decided that tho Rjjmney Marsh Hocks appearing in the New Zealand Sheep Breeders' Association (South Island) flock book should be admitted to the North Island Romney Marsh fleck book without further inspection. It was agreed to write expressing satisfaction with tho action taken by the Eoniney Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association, which tho hoardconsiders will add to the efficiency of.tlw registration of stud stock. .It ivas also decided to communicate •with the North and South Island Sheep Breeders' Associations suggestion that tho South Island association should take over and include in its liook all Iho flocks of the following breeds, which now appear in the North Island flock hook, jiamely, English Leicester, Border Leicester, Shropshire, and Ryeland; that tho Southdown flocks should be retained in tho North Island flock book, and the flocks of this breed appearing in tho South Island flock book should be transferred to the North Island book. It was also agreed to suggest that the Lincoln flocks at present registered in tho South Island flock book should be transferred to the New Zealand Lincoln flock book. The adoption of these suggestions would give effect to the resolution unanimously agreed to at the meeting of representatives of all the breed societies in the Dominion held with tho board last year, nnd subsequently endorsed by the Council of Agriculture at its recent conference.

Tile board passed the following resolution in connection with tho purchase of the wool dip by the Imperial Government:—"From full information that has been placed at tho disposal of tho Board of Agriculture regarding tho wool position, the boara wishes to express its satisfaction with the terms offered, by the Imperial Government, and to state that it considers that the acceptance of this offer by our Government is in the best interests of the Dominion."

An inquiry was received as to the advisability of permitting the introduction into New Zealand of vicunas, alpacas, and llamas. As it was pointed out that llamas and -alpacas had been imported many years ago, and had proved of no commercial value, and as the result of the inquiries which had been made was unfavourable, the boaTd could not recommend that their introduction bo permitted. . An inquiry was also received asking for the board's views as to the introduction of a few Australian birds, including the Australian blue wren and honeypaters. With regard to this application, it was also decided that, in view of past experience (which show-ed that tfresh environment often changed the habits of introduced birds, thereby causing them to become pests) their introduction into Now Zealand could not bo recommended.

The board discussed with Dr. Reake* the best means to adopt for dealing with tho question of restricting the spread of ticks from tho northern part of the Dominion or other iparts, both by land and by sea, and fully conourred with the proposals ho suggested. The question of the farm which the Wairarapa peoplo had so generously handed over to the Government for tho training of returned' soldiers, and for. .experimental purposes, was discussed a.t: some length, and it was finally agreed that Dr. Eeakes should arrange to meet the, [committee dealing with tho scliemo atr.Masterton, and go into tho matter fully i'with them. /It Iwas'pointed out by Mr. W. Perry that' a sohool had been established in England for the. purpose of training maimed soldiers for various occupations, among which might be mentioned woolclassing, 'and that it was a very good opportunity for New Zealanders in England ito acquire training of this kind. It was' also ; decided to write to tho Hon. Minister, recommending that arrangements ; -ibe made to enable some of our soldiers• who.aro at present in Europe to I 'obtdiri such training in agricultural science'and practice as will fit them-for taking up positions in the Department of Agriculture on their return to tho Dominion.,;

.In connection with the question of tree-planting by farmers, the board resolved to advise all land-holders to immediately plant more- quick-growing timber trees. In three years these trees would provide shelter for stock, in ten years good firewood, and in less than 20 vears useful fencing material, and where Irambles or other weeds occupied rough and, inferior areas, trees planted close together would be found to be the best growth to smother them. Tho board decided to remind the public that a leaflet giving full particulars as to the best trees to plant, and a list of trees and geeds for sale, from the Whakarewarewa nfiiT 'Tapanni nurseries, could be procured on application either to the Lands department in Wellington, or to the nurseries named,

' Amongst other matters dealt with were luiiiform rules for flock books, wool-pack nnd corn-suck shipments from Calcutta, i • the settlement of returned soldiers oil tho land, a proposed scheme for the earmarking and branding of stock, the j temporary discontinuance of High Com- ; missioner's weekly market produce cablegrams,- the shortago of ships to convey New Zealand produce to outside market's, ' and the necessity that existed for farm- • ers to increase the area of root and ; forage crops for winter food as it is possible that the freezing works may not be able to provide space for the_ usu.il ' number of sheep and lambs, which in i ■ the ordinary course would come forward during tho season.