Correspondence

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 43, 25 September 1890, Page 2

Correspondence

DAIRY FARMING. TO THE BDfTOR OF THE STAR. Sib, — As the subject of dairy farming is engrossing the attention of several of our settlers, I will endeavor to show how very necessary it haa become that producers should bestir themselves in order to improve the present most unsatisfactory state of the butter trade, and to prove to them that the existing system of dealing with the article is not the proper one, I append a statement of the proceeds of 20 kega of butter shipped per Boric on 30th April, and sold in London on Ist August. The butter was of good quality when purchased here in April, at 6d per Ib. Every care was taken by me in packIng, and it was sent Home in a frozen I chamber. It sold in London with the following disastrous results : — lOcwt. 2qr. 181b. butter at 36a 19 8. 9 j Expenses 14 12 Net proceeds ... ... ... 5 2 7 Equal to 5s l^d per keg or l£d per lb. ! Cost of Butter. 20 kegs at Ss ... 8 0 0 Contents 20 601b. kega at 30s 30 0 0 Carriage to Wellington ... 17 1 Marine Insurance ... ... 7 10 Wharfage and cartage ... 8 9 Bills lading, &c. ... ... 2 6 Insurance ... 13 Freight 6 18 5 Warehouse oharges ... ... 16 9 Discount 8 2 Brokerage, 8 per cent ... 11 6 Commission, 2 per cent ... 7 8 J643 19 11 Proceeds lOewt. 2qr. 81b. at 36a 19 8 9

£24 16 2 Showing a total loss of the above £24t 16s 2d on the transaction. This is only one of the many transactions local storekeepers have unfortunately been obliged to submit to this Beason. As our district is extending so is the production of butter increasing, year by year, and it is very certain the several tradesmen at present dealing with the article, cannot continue to follow the course which has proved so injurious to them. Something must be done to prevent the industry being smothered. The season is now at hand, and it behoves every one who is a producer to stir in the matter, for it oannot be expected that the local tradesmen, in the face of last season's losses, can give the same price for the produce as of old. I fcope others who are interested to a greater extent than I am will not allow the matter to drop, but one and all make an effort to conserve what should be in J our prosperous district a "flourishing " instead of as at present a " languishing " industry. — I am, Ac, W. G. Haybittle.