The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1925. FARMING PROSPECTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1925. FARMING PROSPECTS.

I iimii; I- a good Ucai "I 11 1 ni« -rll. I'iirtKiilailv m (. aiii"iiUiiv a- t ' tin 1 probable Inilure or shuilnge "I the i rep-' ill is vcar. owing in the u n usiia Ily protracted wet sen-on l-. in- c.xpcnem .d. Wool la ml is particularly interested in tlir course ot flouts on tlio oilior side id the rnnge.s, because so much product' is drawn lia.m iliat quarter. tercal crops tiro not grow n in Westland to any extent, and wheat glowing is not aiteaipted here at all hut we rely on the Canterbury harvest lor all that j is required now. practically m the way of produce. The extremely wet weather experiem ed in Canterlmry has not lieeu shared by this district. It is interestlno to note that the raililall lor the past eight months has been In} inches less than the corresponding period of last year an average praitieally ot two inches a month less. In regard to bright sunshine over the same period there has been an increase ot I ‘JH hours. The season, too. has not, been extreme, though the mean temperature has been somewhat less than the average of the past year. Actually. it has been a good season, without extreme cold, though the frosts have been heavier and more frequent. Snow has been heavier, too, with an unusual quantity on the lower ranges, ami snow appeared also on the flats towards the sea roast —hut not for any length of time. The spring is advancing markedly. On Sunday last the temperature registered fid degrees, and the atmosphere has liceii mild. dispensing generally with fires lor domestic Ihoia ting practically. W.liilo Westland has not brought cereal cropping greatly into vogue, root crops are grown freely, and extra preparation is lieing made wisely this year in that direction. This is a timely safeguard, and as with the inevitable shortage of fodder crops in Canterbury, the Coast must needs do more for itself. But despite what, is grown on the Coast every year sees considerable quantities of fodder supplies drawn from Canterbury. Direct rail communication has rut out Nelson and Marlborough supplies which came formerly by boat. With the prospect of pollard and bran being at advanced prices, the farmers of Westland would bo well advised to prepare larger supplies lo'nllv of winter feed for next year. The stork of Westland lias done well this year, and prices are being well maintained. Fat stock are coming forward for the regular markets in prime condition, and realising good prices. Tl e lambing season promises well on the whole. The week that snow fell had some ill-effects but that has passed, and in the milder weather now lambing is proceeding very satisfactorily. South Westland, where tho hulk of the lambs eome from, it is said, will have a good percentage return. Next month the stock sales of store cattle take place, and advanced prices are predicted. The bulk of the' stoek- will come from the far south of Westland, where graziers have largo herds to draw from. The dairying season which has just, commenced in real earnest, promises well. The principal factories are receiving supplies increasing in volume weekly. It is expected an enhanced price will he paid for butter fat this season, and the opening rate of ]s 7d iter pound is likely to he maintained well. Generally sneaking, settlers on the land in Westland have the promise of a very good season before them, the prospects being very bright. The need for providing as luiielT fodder as possible for t’>-> flaks and herds is. however, a matter of outstanding importance all through the district.

eiety. there were causes sufficient for the protracted procedure, and in tho end, too, all securities were realised attheir face value. That result -showed sound business in lending on the part of the management, and careful handling in the realisation of the assets. Raising about £9.509 in subscriptions, the Society was able to lend £11.300 at a cost to the shareholders of less than 3 per cent, for the use of tho money, while at the close of the operations there was a profit of £8 8s per £IOO invested, with the principal also recovered. The co-operative building societies are founded on very practical proposals, and besides inducing tli.rift, are very helpful to tho-o associated with the institutions. By prompt payments of the weekly or fortnightly contributions, capital grows quickly and with regular alio-a-t.ions of the. loans, soundly advanced, the result must he profitable to those concerned. 3 lie system induces both self-help and thrift of a very practical nature, and for a small community has proved a reliable lorui ot sate investment. Naturally, everything depend on tin 1 management, and in that respect the result has been most satisfactory as the Mia re-holders have experienced. There i- talk of starting another society on the same lines, and if so it is a movement which should commend itself to the people as a whole. With the experience gained. No II Society should he launched very successfully and with the wider experience gained could be managed more satisfactory* oven than the two Societies which ran their eour-c before. It would be a worthy step to take to establish such another Society.