FARMING & COMMERCIAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 219, 10 June 1921, Page 8

FARMING & COMMERCIAL

AUCTION SALES

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES. TO-DAY. 137 Lambton Quay, Wellington, 10 a.m.— Meat eales (Hodgkins, Carver) 157 Jjambton Quay, Wellington, 10 a.m.— Sole of unclaimed goods (Johnston and Co.). 157 Lambton Qnay, Wellington, 11 a.m.— Sale of sheetings, damasks, etc. (Johnston and Co.). 157 Lambton Quay, Wellington. 1.30 p,m.— Elirnlturo sale (E. Johnston and Co.). 1 Boundary Road, Kalburn, 1.30 p.m.— Furniture sale (Sloane and Jones). Dominion Avenue. Wellington. 2 p.m.— Furniture sale (Vine and Wilson). Customhouse Quay. Wellington, 2.30 p.m.— Property sale (A. L. Wilson and Co.). TO-MORROW. Waterloo Road, Lower Hutt. 11 a.m.—Furniture sole (Lathan and Co.). 93 Apu Orescent, Lyall Bay, 1.30 p.m.— Furniture sale (Sloane and Jones). MONDAY. 157 Lambton Quay 1 , Wellington. 1 p.m — Sale of carpets and rugs (Johnston and Co.). 11l Hill Street, Wellington. ’ 1.30 n.m.— Furniture sale (Hodgkin?, Carver). 195 Lambton Quay, Wellington, 2.30 p.m.— Property sale (Harcourt and Co.). BIG SLAUGHTER OF CALVES EFFECT ON STOCK INDUSTRY “NO OCCASION FOR ALARM” In recent, months attention has been drawn on more than one occasion to the increasingly high, percentage of calves slaughtered in the Dominion, and in some quarters alarm has been expressed on this account. Talking to a Dominion representative on the subject, an officer off the Live Stock Division of tho Agricultural Department said that it was certainly true that within the last two or three years—tho current year in par-ticular-farmers had been knocking an unusually large number of calves on the head. There was, however, no call for anxiety in tho matter. If there was no demand for steers, farmers could not bo expected to breed them. It was, in his opinion, futile to attempt to exert any control over tho situation which was best governed by tho law of supply and demand.

Ono factor in tho increased "slaughter of tho innocents” was that there wore in tho Dominion a great number of Jersey cattle. Jerseys were not suitable for beef, as they took too long to reach maturity, and were light-weights compared with other breeds. There was absolutely no market for Jersey steers and consequently very few farmers went to tho trouble of rearing them. There was a falling-off in tho demand for beef cuttie in the Dominion because all the good beef country was going into dairying. This meant more Jersey-cross cattle and stock-breeders gave preference to Short-horn-cross or Hereford-cross beasts. ■lt stood to reason, therefore, ho continued, that every year a largo percentage of calves must be slaughtered. A cow was capable of. producing during her lifetime up to about eight calves, and if every calf was to bo retired, then in ten years' time the cow population of the Dominion would be enormous. Then, again, if the Department were to step in. with a view to regulating the slaughter of calves, it would manifestly be compelled to give farmers a guarantee that something like the cost of rearing the calf would be returned to them when the animal reached maturity. Any large increase in the number of calves reared in the Dominion would ultimately have, the effect of knocking the bottom out of the market for cattle. One could hardly expect farmers to cut their own throats by thus bringing down the market value df the whole of their stock. Another point was that the price of land in many districts was ’so dear that dairy farmers had neither the time nor paddock accommodation to rear calves. It paid them far better to buy heifers that had been reared on places where ..gras-s was not at such a premium, and where there was more scope for "exercise,” etc.

NORTHERN STOCK MARKETS

A GENERAL REVIEW.

The Farmers'' Co-operative Association, Hamilton, report under date June 8:— Beef. —The supply of prime beef is rapidly diminishing and values show a corresponding increase. Mutton.—The market for mutton is also advancing and may bo expected to keep puce wit hthe market for beef. Store Cattle—There is a much stronger inquiry for store cattle generally and improvement in the market ig likely to re- - suit. It is difficult to clearly indicate in figures to what extent improvement. has already been observed but it can bo stated with certainty that a line of atoro cattle could not be put together to-day at the rates ruling a few, weeks back. The demand for turnip cattle has greatly strengthened and buyers are willing to inspect anything offering in this class. With the advance in beef no doubt a general rise in store cattle will 'be witnessed. Store Sheep.—There is a strong inquiry for wethers, which it is not at present possible to fill. Reports from southern centres also indicate a shortage. Forward ewes are likewise in good demand. Store lambs, on the other hand, seem to have somewhat declined. Ewes in lamb have not risen far in favour, although an early advance in this class of stock seems not improbable. Dairy Cattle.—Little alteration is noticeable since our last report. The tone is firmer, although averages at the various clearing sales are considerably below those recorded at this period of last year. There i, still a fair inquiry for dairy heifers, and good lines at reasonable figures can bo disposed of. Pigs.—The pig market is very firm, with a rising tendency. Good prices may be anticipated for some time ahead. Quotations are as follow: —Bullocks, heavy, prime, Al2 to Al 5; medium, A 9 to -CIO 155.; cows, heavy, A 8 to Al2 7s. 6d.; medium, A 5 to A 7 55.; forward, A2 15s. to A 4 10s.; steers, 3J-year, AG 10s. to A 7 10s.; 2|-year, .£3 15s. to .£5 55.; 18montha, dll 10s. to A 3; heifers, 18months, Al 10s. to A2 10s.; cows, store, 15s. to Al 155.; heifers, r.w.b., 21-yotir, Shorthorn, A 7 ss. to A 9 155.; 2-year, Al 15s. to A 6 10s.'; calves, best, 15s. to Al Is.; medium, 10s. to 12s. Gd.; small, 2.«. Gd. to 75.'6d.; dairy cows, best, at profit, Al2 to A 18; second quality, A 7 to A 10; wethers, prime, 19s. Gd. to 215.; medium, 16s. to 18«. 6c1.; ewes, prime, 15s. to 18s.; wethers, forward, 4-tooth, 14s. Gd. to 18s.; forward, 2-tooth, 12s. to 155.; store, 11s. fid. to 14a. Gd.; ewes, store. ss. to 7s. 6d.; lambs, fat, lie. 6d. to 17s. 6d.; store (shorn), best, 7s. 6d.. to 10s.; medium, ss. 1 to 75.; pigs, baconers, A 4 ss. to A 0 10s.; porkers, A2 to A 3 55.; slips, 17s. Gd. to Al 10s.: weaners, ss. to 10s. Gd.; horses, heavy draughts, .£3O to Al 5: medium draughts, A 22 to A3O; light draughts, Al 7 io A2l 10s.; harness horses, A 7 to Al 5; hacks, Al 10s. to A 9.

NEWS AND NOTES

BEEKEEPERS CONFER

LONDON MARKETS

THE RABBIT PEST

RECKLESS OPPRESSION ALLEGED SAVING THE RUN HOLDER FROM HIMSELF Farmers in the far south have of late been indulging in a lot of newspaper correspondence, freely criticising the officers of the Agricultural Department on the ecore of tho alleged arbitrary sections of the Rabbit Inspection Act. According to one large landholder in Central Otago, "the reckless oppression that baa been going on among .farmers and sheepowners has reached a climax, and it is time that tho general public understood tho ruin that is being callously inflicted upon the struggling followers of the most distracted industry in New Zealand to-day, and that it said firmly and decidedly to tho Government that these outrages must stop,” It may be pointed out, however, that there is a complete absence of any criticism of the Act in tho North Island, particularly in the Auckland province, where rabbits have of late years increased to an alarming extent. In the north, so a Dominion representative was Informed, farmers have had a particularly good poisoning season during the last few months, and as a result the rabbits have been killed in hundreds of thousands. Farmers in Auckland and other parts of the North Island are working hand-in-glove with the Department. The North Island—particularly Auckland—has not been troubled with rabbits as- long as the South Island, where they have come to bo looked upon as an ovil that cannot be got rid of. In the North Island, on the other hand, pastoralists have made up their minds Hint they are going to eradicate the vermin. To this end they have been very active in adopting destructive measures. and although they have not wiped the rabbits out, they have succeeded in keening their numbers iri check. Tho fatalistic attitude adopted by the southern runlioldcrs has lately led to the appearance of many of their number in court, charged with failing to take effective measures to rid their properties of rabbits. Fairly substantial fines have been inflicted in a number of instances. The Department is dotVrmined to enforce the Act, in order to save farmers from the folly of their own neglect; for five rabbits will eat and destroy the feed on land which will keep and do one sheep well. Until settlers realise that tho rabbit problem must ly> faced in a determined fashion, they will, it is contended, continue io run the risk of being dispossessed oftheir holdings by tho horde <of vermin infesting parts of the South Island.'

PENALTIES FOR, BREACHES OP ACT. By Telegraph—Frose Association. Auckland, June 9. The National Conference of the Beekeepers’ Association was continued today. It was decided that the matter of making a levy to provide a fighting fund should be laid before branches for consideration.

The question of increasing .the maximum penalty for breaches of the Apiaries Act to .£2O was introduced by the Auckland branch. The proposal was supported by the Southland branch, and the conference decided to urge the question on* the attention of the iGovernV.ent with a view to early action. Mr. Kirk said that in tho revised Apiaries Act provision was made for increasing the penalty to .£2O, but during last session it was impossible, to secure the passage of more than urgent and emergency legislation. His sympathies were with the proposal to increase the penalties. “Even as it is,” he said, "beekeepers are beginning to have some little respect for tho Act as a result of recent prosecutions.”

Alterations in the registration cards ip include a declaration as to the form of hive in uso, whether box or frame hives, were suggested by the Auckland branch, but the motion was lost.

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT.

The High 1 Commissioner, reportin London, Juno 4, states that the butte market is quieter. Irish supplies ar small and prices irregular. Danish slow production is increasing and export simi lar to pre-war. Prices June 4:—lrish Creameries. 190 s. to 208 s. per cwt. Dan ish: 200 s. to 201 a. New Zealand: 198 s to 200 s. Australian: 178 s. to 188 s. Argen tine: 1545. to 170 s. Government price ex store, June 3-9:—New Zealand; 196 s Australian: 180 s. Argentine: 1525. pc cwt. Cheese. —The market is quieter, and prices are lower. White Canadian, delivery late Juno, offered nt 100s._ or 10}d. per lb.; coloured Canadian, 110 s., or lid. For future (Jelivery quotations, 91s. to 935. per cwt. (9Jd. to lOd. per lb.), c.i.f., but buyers cautious. New Zealand: Spot lower. Proportion of coloured has increased and prices about same as white, Is. Id. to la. IJd., and Is. Id. to la. l|d. coloured. Australian: Is. white. Is. Ojd. coloured. Stocks of Canadian, June 2, 25,4-74 boxes, against 21,306 last year. New Zealand: 3481 crates, against 2083 crates. Casein. —Market continues weak, quotations nominal. Lactic, Argentine, -4'57 per ton. Rennet, casein. English, AGO; French. -£5B to JIM; Dutch, .£92; New Zealand and Australian, £63 12s. per ton. The Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company Limited have received I the following cablegram from their London .house under date June 8:— Tallow.—Wo quote present spot values for the following descriptions:—Fine mutton, £1 15s. per cwt.; good beef, JJI IGs. per cwt.; mixed, JSI 7k. 9d. per cwt. Quieter demand. Butter.—Now' Zealand, choicest salted, good demand; secondary, market slow. Cheese. —Market quotation is £5 16s. cwt.; market is fully stocked, and ns arrivals continue large, prices are likely to weaken. Frozen Mutton. —6jd. to SJd. per lb. Frozen Lamb.—ls. per lb. Frozen Beef.—Hindquarters 4Jd. per lb., forequarters 3}d. per lb.; market dull.Messrs. Dalgety and Company Limited report having received the following cablegram from their London house under dnto of Juno 8:—

"Tallow. —Market quiet : 2086 casks offered, 550 casks sold. Since our Inst wire prices are Gd. lower on the average.” MAKE OF BUTTER HOLDING UP WELL IN THE SOUTH "In some districts the make of butter has hold up better than was expected,” remarked an authority to a Dominion representative yesterday, "although in ether districts —I refer to the north—it has gone down quicker than was anticipated. In the South Island production is bolding up better than wns estimated, but now that the seasonal frosts have set in the drop ought to be fairly quick and pronounced. Waikato, however, has fallen off quicker than farmers expected, and Taranaki too for that matter.”

MILD WEATHER FOR WINTER PLAYING INTO FARMERS’ HANDS. After generally experiencing an unfavourable autumn dairy farmers are hopeful that the present spell of mild weather will ultimately j>lay into their hands, providing that they do not get too man}’ heavy frosts at tho end of tho winter. This unfortunately was the case last year, when quite a number of very heavy frosts were experienced late in July. In any case, however, the past autumn was so bad in many districts that any little winter growth induced by a mild winter is not going to overtake the real shortage of feed that exists at the present time. This shortage is, according to information gathered by a Dominion representative, yesterday, very acute in «everal districts.

SHEEP DOG TRIALS

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Te Kuiti, June 9,

The North Island sheep dog trials championships were continued., at To Kuiti. Following is the resiAt of the Short Head, class II:—R. M’Donald (Dnnnevirko), Jet, 57 points, 1; W. H. MTntyre (Dannevirkc), Chief, 55 points, 2; H. Rolen (Hawera), Fly, 54,} points, 3; S. Leahy (Waitara), Bob, 51 points, 4.

WHOLESALE PRODUCE

MARKETS

Messrs. Laery and Co., Ltd., report wholesale prices as follow Crushed barley ss. 6d. bushel, sacks in, Chevalier ss” 6d. bushel, sacks in; food barley, as. bushel, sacks in; partridge peas, Bs. bushel, sacks in; peas, Prussian blue, 7s. 6d. bushel, sacks in; peas, feed, 6s. 3d. bushel, sacks in; crushed peas, 7s. Cd” bushel, sacks in; oats, Algerians, seed, Is. 6d. bushel, sacks in, heavy Duns, choice, Is. Bd., sacks in, sparrow bills for poultry feed Is.' 6d., weetoats for poultry feed ss. Sd. bushel, sacks in, Gartons, A grade. Is. 6d. bushel, sacks in crushed oats 4s. lOd. bushel; Farro food, ton lots. .£lO 7s. fid. ton; chaff, oaten sheaf, Blenheim prime ton lots, M ton, sacks in, free on trucks Wellington; hay, extra choice lucerne, .£8 7s. 6d. ton, meadow hay -£7 10s. ton, clover hay -£8 10s. ton, sacks in; fowls, hens 75., 9d.. heavy roosters Bs., Repair; ducks, 10s. to its. pair; geese, 135., 15s. pair; turkeys, Is. 7d. to Is. Bd. lb.; butter, farmers’ separator, dairy and milled, Is. lid. to 2s. lb.; eggs, fresh, 2s. lOd 35., preserved 2s. 2d.; shell grit, choice quality, 1001 b. bags, Gs. fid. bag; onions, Bs. Gd. cwt.; maize, whole, 7s. 6d. bushel, sacks in, crushed Bs. bushel, sacks in; fowl wheat, ton-sack lots, whole Bs. lid. bushel, lesser quantity 9s Id bushel, sacks Is. Bd.; meat meal, for poultry feed, 20s. per 1001 b. bag; calf meal, -£l2’ton; oatmeal, for poultry feed, 15s. Gd. par 1001 b. bags; linseed oilcake meal, Xl4 10s. ton; peameal. ton lots, .£l2 7s. 6d. ton, sacks in; mutton birds, Tasmanian in casks Bd. each, N.Z. in kits, cooked, Is., salted 81d.; barley meal, ton lots .£ll 10s. ton. sacks in; mangolds, quotations upon application; mixed fowl feed, 7s. 6d. bushel, sacks in.

COMMERCIAL ITEMS INVESTMENT SHARES. Yesterday’s quotations for investment

” LONDON TALLOW SALES. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. '■ London, June 8. 1_ At the tallow sales 2577 tons were offer- ” cd, and 781 sold, at about 6d. decline. Mut--0 ton, ilno 355.. medium 335.; beef, fine 395. s 6d„ medium 345. DEMAND FOlt APPLES EASING. s London, June 8. 11 The demand for apples is easing slighto ly. owing to pleqtitul supplies of straw- •] berries and French cherries. Prices have declined about 2s. The Borda’s shipment was somewhat over-ripe, and it is selling at 265. to 30s. AUSTRALIAN PASTORAL COMPANY'S DIVIDEND. London, Juno 8. The Australian Pastoral Company has declared an interim dividend of 3 per cent ? free of income tax. r e AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE MARKETS. , By Tplegnanh—Preus Association—Copyright ’ (Rec. June 9, 9.30 p.m.) . Sydney, June 9. Oats. Algerian feed, 3s. 3d. per bushel; white feed, 3s. 6d. Maize, yellow. 4a. 6d. per bushel: white. 4s. 3d. Potatoes. Tasmanian, £6 10s. to £7 per ton. Onions, , Victorian, £5 per ton. Adelaide, June 9. Oats, 2s. 6d. to 2s. &d. per bushel. I MINING NEWS WELLINGTON SHARE MARKET. The quotations yesterday for mining ' shares were as under:— Buyers. Sellers. , £ s. d. £ s. d. : Blackwater Mines — 0 8 0 Talisman — 0 6 2 ' Waihi 110 0 - ' Waihi Grand Junction... o’o 0 010 6 STOCK EXCHANGE. By Telegraph-Press Association. Auckland, June 9; Sales:—Talisman. 6s. Id.; Grand Junction. 10s. 6d.: Bank of New Zealand. 465.: Auckland Gas (paid), 235. 6d. Reported sale:—New Zealand Refrigerating les 3d. Christchurch, June 9. Sales — Government 4J per cent. Bonds, 1930, £B7 ss. Dunedin, June 9. Bales:—Bank of New Zealand. 455. 9d.; Westport Goal. 565.; Dominion Rubber, 10s.: New Zealand Refrigerating (contributing). 16b. 6d. Bale reported ;—Mount Lyoll. 12s. lid. LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, June 8. Broken Hill. 345. 6d. buyers. 345. sellers; North Broken Hill. 255. 3d.; South Broken Hill, 255. 3d.; Waihi. 275. 6d. buyers. 30s. sellers. LIVE STOCK SALES Messrs. Dal get.v and Company. Limited, report having offered a good yarding of sheep at Levin on Tuesday, when a total clearance was effected. Ridding was spirited. and prices obtained showed an advance on recent rates. Quotations Eat wethers, 16s. 6d. to 19s. 9d.: fat ewes. 14s. 106. to 15s. 2d.; forward ewes, 7s. 6d. to Ils.; m.s. lambs. 7s. Bd. to 9s. 9d.

HAWKE’S BAY FARMERS. A CORRECTION. In our issue of yesterday a printer's error cropf. into the advertisement announcing tho Hawke’s Bay Tanners’ Coop. issue of 8 per cent. Bonds. Under the heading' "Growth of Business,” the figures £253,245 capital subscribed and .£71,772 Reserve Fund were given as for the year 1922. This should, of course, have read 1921. (Published by arrangement.)

BlyireB were follow: — Buyers. £ s. d. Sellers. £ s. d. Inscribed Stock, 1939 82 5 0 — Inscribed Stock. 1938 82 5 0 )• Inscribed Stock. 1933 — .0 91 7 6 )- War Bonds. 1939 82 5 — War Bonds. 1939 82 5 0 — 5 n.c. P.O. Inscribed Stock f 1927 91 10 0 d Bank New Zealand 2 5 9 — I — 12 2 6 0 10 3National Insurance — 2 15 4 - New Zealand Insuranco — 1 7 0 Routh British Insurance — 1 11 0 N.Z. Rel'rigern.tins (£1)... 1 8 3 — ‘Meat Export <72b. 6d.) ... 3 0 0 3 5 0 s Hiiddart-Parkor (ord.) ... Z 1 0 2 t 6 d Well. Woollen (ord.) — 8 10 0 - Well. Woo’len (pref.) ... — 7 2 6 Tauplri Coal —— 0 17 6 Westport Coal 1 5 6 — Waipa Corl 0 12 9 —— d Lerlnnd-O'Brlen Timber 1 6 0 — r Bartholomew Timber ... — 1 1 6 Wairarapu Farmers (pref.) 0 15 6 —