SHEEP FATTENING FARM.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 April 1910, Page 4

SHEEP FATTENING FARM.

MR J. MeLEAVEV,

Sheep fattening is undertaken in Levin district on an extensive scale, and the preceding articles have borne testimony to the excellent work that is being performed on many of the farms. In tins'southern part of the district, some three miles from Levin, lies the farm of Mr J. McLeavev. and for picturesfineness his estate would be hard to beat. It is situated on a commanding rising ground on the liKiin road, and a line view of the pastoral plains on the west and the .mountainous country on the east presents itself to the eye from the homestead, which nestles among a cluster of pretty trees. Mr MeLeavey is ft man of many parts. A keen a,nd practical farmer, he has thrown himself with zest into the development of the district, alul as the ensuing summary of his career shows. his(. efforts have been amply appreciated by the public. He is a. typical colonial, and shares the belief, which is entertained ' by thoughtful observers, that the progress which New Zealand has made, and the Levin district in particular, is not transitory. He was born at Makara, not far from Wellington. His father, an Irishman - like all good Irishmen his name stfuuls high on the scroll of soldiery —was one of the early pioneers, and in the wars of 18-15 be did gallant service for the forces of the Queen. Mr McLeave.v's mother came from the sunny south—Devonshire, the great land of cakes and milk. Mr McLeavev himself accompanied his father, after selling their Terawhiti farm to Messrs McMeuani.m Bros., to Palmerston North. where the family settled and resided for some years on a property that was situated on the Palniersto.n-Ashur.st road. Subsequently selling his share to his brothers, ho elected to join Mr Cornford (fat stock buyer for the Gear Meat Company), in « partnership arrangement to farm the property, leased from Sir Walter Puller from the present homestead to the Pa pa i tonga lake.- The rental agreed upon was 10s an acre, and at. that time it was considered an exorbitant, price. Most oj' the estate was dense bush, and as it consists of 800 acres it will be seen that to make it in anyway a profitable business Mr McLefivey liad a h«ivv clearing task before him. Hut he undertook it with the characteristic energy of the colonial in whose veins flows the blue blood of Krin. So far he has not had a great opportunity of cultivating it. though he has done a good deal in this respect. His first business has been to clear it of an almost impenetrable bush. And such was the stamina of this "son of the soil" that, aided by the facilities his partner acquired for picking 11p store stock in the best markets, he was able, even in those early days of crude grazing, to show ;T margin of profit. As a. practical farmer he expended it in clearing •the debris off the land sub-dividing it into paddocks, and carrying out other improvements. A keen judge of stock, fat or lean, he can at all times calculate to a nicety the probable profits to be expected from fattening any particular store animal for the butcher's block, which business has alwavs been regarded as his chief form of revenue. Of late years he has bred a considerable number of lambs when stores are likely to he dear. A DFALFR IN THF BFST STOCK. Inspecting tho I'a-.n the other day tho writer saw a liiu> h,t ol wethers—-.some 700 in all —and it was manifest from these that Mr McLeave.v only deals in the best stock. On the whole ho has had good luck with his sheep, and although the seasons have at times been un propitious lii.s practical knowledge has stood him in good stead. He has a great belief in the p:\ssibiliitiies of shoep reari.ig in the. district, and holds that wool is going to fetch a good price. There is, however, he maintains, a big shortage in sheep. Even in the country many acres that were once devoted to shw'-p rearing are now given over to dairy work. But located as it is in such close proximity to Wellington, which is growing rapidly, Levin offers a fine field for purchasers of fat lambs. Retail butchers can get their stock from lie-re quicker than they can get it over the nine miles between their shops and slaughter houses. At the same time, Mr MeLeavey complains—as so many other farmers complain—of the deplorable railway facilities. They are, ho holds, bad in the extreme, but be hopes the Administration will do something to improve them at an early dat. l . Alterations of an important character (Hi farms are not the easiest things to accomplish, but _Mr MeLeavey has effected many improvements. One of the chief is undid) tedjy the formation of a miniature bike near tho house. A few years ago this space was a reeking swamp. To-day it is a placid expanse of clear water fed by races, which intersect the domain. The history of the farm from tho time of its acquisition by its present ( ,v----n er has been a history of progress —slow, steady and sure—and although much may remain to be done, Mr MeLeavey may bo depended upon for accomplishing it. As in agricultural affairs, so in local aliul national matters, Mr MeLeavey has shown undoubted capacity. It is eleven years since he was elocted a member of the Wiroki:no Road Board;- which was eventually merged into the Horowhenua County Council, became its chairfully sought the suffrages of the electors in connection with the County Council, become its chairI man, and is to-day one of its active members. During his chairmanship not a few important local improvements were effected. The Otaki Gorge road was made, bridges were built, and after some delicate negociations with tho Government a railway crossing was made in ear the Levin station, and another one in Bath street. It is not an easy matter to wring a concession I run a Government department, but assisted by 'Mr Gardener, the present Mayor, Mr McLeavey's tact, end urbanity and the practical knowledge he was able to bring to bear on the subject, successfully overcame all obstacles. In this way Levin has much to thank Mr MeLeavey for. Although iit i.s not

.supported as it ought to he, the Farmers' Union is doing a. vast ■a moil lit of good for the agricultural community. -Mr MeLeavey has heen a prominent member of this body for vear.s, .and is chairman of it to-day. lie lias represented it at three conferences — I'ahiatua, Levin and KketTihiuua. He is one of its most enthusiastic supporters, and says it is doing n deal of good for farmers. The lack of support it is receiving, howowr. I.e gieatlv deplores, but believes t-hait in the not distant future* thf? whole of the agricultural connnirriiU- will recognise its undoubted utility. As ,'i'M old settler, he is strongly .of opinion that a rnihva.v line shosdt.' be constructed from Greatford tothis district. It is, in his matured 1 opinion,- a, pressing need. The line would run through Foxton, and . negotiatingg the high, dry country on the west, connect with the main line at a point to ho decided on in the county. He alludes' to the time wilieii the lines of eoii/imfniwitioil from Palmerston have been flooded and washed away, and he pt'Hmently inquires what would bo if.'f-' result to-day in such a case with the increased and increasing traffic. Mil gaged as he has heed all his lifeill the peaceful arts of agriculture. Mr .McLeavev has recognised that the policy of the "strong mail firmed" is, after all, the truest policy to be observed. >S'o ho joined the Horowhenua Mounted Rifles in 1!'f)l, was made a lieutenant, and later he had the honour conferred upon him of a captaincy. He is an energetic supporter of the racing club, and is its president today. This sketoh, brief and imperfect as it may be, conveys soine idea of what an up-to-date New Zealand farmer is, .and it should be sudicient proof to show that, with all his business transactions, a farmer makes if possible to devote some valuable time to the welfare find prosperity of the country in general.