CO-OPERATIVE DAIRYING.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 696, 16 December 1902, Page 3

CO-OPERATIVE DAIRYING.

(Waikato Argus.)

To Itau-a-Mou, the oldest Government settlement in the King Country, is on the main road from Te Awawutu to Kuwhia. The first settlers, 10 in number, arrived hero seven years ago. At that time Te Rau a-Moa presented a very different appearance to what it does at present. All was standing bush, affording a home for hundreds of wild pigs and cattle. About three years ago the Government opened up more Crown land in the neighborhood of this place, and also voted money for several miles of metal road through the settlement. With the in-

creased population and tho metal road the settlers for tiie past twelve months have been thinking seriously of going in for dairying, as tho land is in every way suited to that industry. Tiie country is level, and tho soil equal in fertility to the best hush land of New Zealand. One very interesting feature about tho land is that tiie ryegrass does not disappear after

the first two or threo years. Clearings, sown down seven years ago, that have ever sinco been carrying stock, grow as plentiful a crop of ryo as tho famous Manavvatu and Rangitikei districts. Tho sub soil hero is a rich iieavy clay, and clovers do exceedingly well. Mr Edgecumhe, Government surveyor, is to commence surveying early in tho new year more Crown lands in this neighborhood, so that ero long To Rau-a-Moa will be tho centre of a flourishing dairying district.

A most enthusiastic meeting of tho settlers was held in tho schoolhouse recently. Every settler was present, and manifested tho greatest interest in tha proposals brought forward. Mr A. a.

Ormsby occupied tho chair, and Mr R. C. Ilonoro acted as secretary. Mr Wiley proposed that a company he formed, and dairying carried on according to the cooperative system. This system is adopted everywhere in Taranaki, and proved more than satisfactory in all oases. It was further proposed thut a sawmill should be worked in conjunction with the factory. Timber could bo cut in tho winter when the dairying plant was not in use. Rirnu is very plentiful here, and the sottlers would need a great deal of timber. Both proposals wero carried unanimously, An estimate was taken of the number of cows each settlor wonld guarantee, and 320 cows were promised from 15 settlors. A committee was elected to transact business. Threo of thorn, Messrs Ormsby, Wiley, and Easy, wero chosen to interview tho bank managor at To Awainutu. They mot with a favorable reception, and in a few weeks tho first dairy factory in tho King Country will bo in course of construction.