MATIERE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 249, 9 April 1910, Page 5

MATIERE.

Uwn Correspondent. Your correspondent formed orie of an informal meeting called = by Mr Brash, of the local dairy factory, to ascertain the support likely to be accorded the factory in the coming season. Willing to talk the p*.int but disclaiming any intention of making a speech, Mr Brash said that, notwithstanding previous poor seasons the season's supply had been satisfactory and payable, and the coming season would be started later than October Ist. As an earnest of this he mentioned that Mr Monk, the manager, would, before the season closed, accept tenders for supply of fuel, cartage of cream and butter, etc. The suppliers for next season would be paid eightpence per pound for butterfat, but in answer to a query by Mr ' Lyon, he stated that it the supply at faid-season represented five_ hundred cows the factory would pay eightpsiipe fiaii'penny per' pound, the estra half pgnny to be retrospective and to coyer the whole season from start to finish. In answer to Mr Phillips, }vho asked if those haying insufficient herds coqld obtain accommodation to bring more, Mr Brash said he would try to make gome arrangement whereby a supplier could bring the cattle himself and pay k for them by deducting one pound per month per herd of those bought til! paid for. It was unanimously decided ' by those present that the terms offered were most fair and equitable, particularly aa no guarantee or_lumkltakill£L

binding the suppliers was asked for. Mr Brash further seated that if the suppliers later thought they could do better as a co-operative concern he would be quite willing to deal on the basis of a mutual valuation. Mr Brash stated in conclusion that, despite the rumours industriously circulated, the factory would start promptly next year on October Ist, the delay at the beginning of the season being unavoidable. It was decided by those present to take Mr Brash's offer and to depute Mr Thos. White to canvass for support, which it was stated would come from as far as Mangakahikatea if the cream was picked up. Some of those present announced their intention of installing machines, and as there is a lack of road work it was stated the herds would be increased to enable their owners to make a living out of the smaller holdings and find work at home; the ready cash" per month being a very comforting item to a person whose holding was too limited for the working of sheep. Your correspondent always believed that it needed a Tommy Burns to chairman a factory meeting,_ but it was evident from the foregoing that Noah's dove brooded over the factory smoke-stack.

Dipping sheep is now nearly finished and the condition of the lambs would warrant sending them out as fats, but the journey by muddy roads and rail knocks "the gilt off the ginger bread" and all fat stock waste terribly in the process. At the present time the lambs of a small purebred Shropshire flock kill out in the neighbourhood of sixty pounds off gras 5 only, two-tooch wethers kill up to eighty-one pounds and Ohura fat cattle have more than a local reputation. The season has been a phenomenal one for grass and the veriest "crocks" are presentable and have a fair amount of adipose. We are all, however, despite our energy and expenditure of money, blocked by the apathy and exasperating attitude of the Government, who, while voting Large sums on the Estimates, engage in a game of bluff to prevent them being paid over or applied. Another grievance is the lack of the freehold and many are asking very bitterly where our member was located when Mr Massey put the freehold to the vote in the House on December 7th and Bth last It is generally thought that a member who knew the feeling of the district and who professed to be an ardent freeholder, would have strained a point to be present or have paired his vote when it meant so much to the whole of his constituency.

A fair amount oc cropping is carried on, and it is found that, with a light dressing of fertiliser to shoot the turnips beyond the reach of "fly," a very fair crop can be obtained on newly broken up fern land. Grass and clover take naturally on the burnt fern land and improve year by year, the clovers smothering the ferns completely in a short time. Garden stuff also comes along amazingly and the garden of Mr W. H. Thompson can be readily cited as a specimen of what careful and tireless culture can effect in a short time. All the pumpkin tribe do well, and I have seen vegetable marrows up to thirty-five pounds and tomatoes and grapes are a decided success, the latter on the espalier system of open-air growth, remarkably so. Given good roads I consider this district would be a model one for fertility, variety of products and climate and will carry a very large population in the near future. I hope if there are any capitalists looking for speculation that the foregoing "upper notes" way, like those of the inimitable Fred MacCabe's tin whistle artist, "fetch 'em."