RAPID STRIDES IN DAIRYING.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1921, Page 4

RAPID STRIDES IN DAIRYING.

1* HE NO MENA LLiY IN CREASED PRODUCTION. After an extended tour of the North of Auckland district, Mr T. Brash, of the National Dairy Association, has returned to Wellington greatly impressed with the phenomenally good season experienced by dairy farmers in that territory, and with the big strides made by the dairying industry there in recent years—the last twelve months in particular. Speaking to a Dominion representative yesterday, Mr Brash said that from his observations he was convinced that north of Auckland the production of dairy produce was going to continue increasing considerably for some years to come. The country was somewhat poorer than the land in the older dairydistricts, but the farmers had bought in cheaply and they were beginning to learn something about working their holdings properly. Dairy farms were springing up in all directions. He felt sure that there would be a bigger increase in dairying in this outlying portion of New Zealand than in any other part of the Dominon. SIGNIFICANT FIGURES Mr Brash backed up his statement with a few figures as to this year’s production in the north. At Dar.gaville one factory had this season increased its output of butter from 800 to 1200 tons; the Ohaewai factory from 125 to 250 tons ; and the Knitni factory from 180 to 230 tons. Other factories in the north which he visited had increased their output this season to the following dimensions:—Kaipnra Company (Helensville), to 650 tons; Whangarei Company (Whangarei) to 400 tons; Hikurangi Company to 600 tons. Away north at Hokianga—a district which a few years ago produced no butter for export—the production of the local factory had increased to 350 tons.

Going down the coast he also met wSjtli encouraging reports. The Te Puke factory, for instance, had increased its make of butter to 5.50 tons, and the Opourino factory at Taneontua produced during the season 450 tons of cheese and 115 tons of butter, while at Waimann, the make ran into 250 tons of cheese and at Opotiki 380 tons of butter.

All these points, lie remarked, were away in the outfields. The wonderful increase in butter production north of Auckland and in the outlying districts lie had mentioned pointed clearly to the fact, lie stated that the north was coming into her own.