DISTRICT NEWS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 150, 25 February 1916, Page 1

DISTRICT NEWS

MAUKU. FARMERS' UNION MEETING MAUKU BRANCH The monthly meeting of the above branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in the Fatumaboe Hall on Monday evening, the 21st inst. There was a very fair attendance, and Mr IS Hill, vice-president, presided. A ccnsic'erpble amount ot correspondence was dealt with and some interesting discussion ensued Wool-ckssing.-Ihe Supervisor of the Manual and Technical branch oi' the Education Board wiote asking the Lrar.ch to endeavour to arrange farners' rlaßses for a seiies„of lessons and lectures ia wcol-classing. It wes explained that the services of Mr Hambly who has had long practical experience would be available.—lt was resolved io inform tte Education Board that whilst the branch appreciated the efforts being made by the Department nothing could be done locally, as tte district was more particularly interested in dairying

Fertilizer Company. —A letter from the Executive of the Farmers' Union stated that thev were pleased to report that sufficient shares had been applied ior in the New Zealand Farmers' Fertiliser Company to enable the company to go to flotation. It was mentioned that ninety per cent of the scares had bten applied for by larmers, and the executive strongly recommended the company to its members and larmers generally French Red Cros9 Fund.—An appeal fium the secretary of the New Zealand Fretch Red Cross Fund for donations in cash or kind for French Tricolour Day, on February 25tb, met with willing response, the sum of £2 5s being subscribed in a few minutes by the members present Auctioneers' Drover. —It was pointed out that the auctioneers' drover, Mr F Kavanagh, had resigned the poeition, and that it would be necessary to secure a drover and an accommodation paddock for the district.—Memters ex pressed appreciation of Mr Kavanagh's services lor past years, and considered it a falsi error to lose him. —Mr Henry proposed, and Mr Johns seconded, and it was agreed, that a letter shoull be forwaided to the auctioneering companies stating that the branch had every confidence in Mr Kavanagh and recommended them to endeavour to retain his services, which they considered cculd be done it sufficient inducement were olfered

Annual Picnic. —lt was decided to abandon the annual picnc this year on account of the unsettled state ot the country

MAUNGATAWHIRI VALLEY

The common practice ot carrying a "elaster" across one's shoulder was responsible on Wednesday afternoon last for Mr Charks Deuch, a married man, residing in tte Valley, sustaining some painful injuries. He had cut a hedge on the property belonging to Mrs Motion, a neighbour, and was returning home when accident occurred. Whilst in the act of passing through a Taranaki gate be relinquished his hold of the slasher, which fell on to his right arm, making a deep incision. Temporary aid was rendered by Nurse McLoughlin, and the injured man waß driven to the evening train by Mr Dale, creamery manager, and conveyed to I'ukekohe, where lie was treated by Dr Bronte The much debated question,

"(jhfise v. Butter," is engaging the attention of local farmers as the result of a communication received from the New Zealand Daily Association, asking whcth'T they would like to be addressed on the subject by a representative of the Association. It is ur.derstood that the majority arc in favour of continuing the manufacture of butter as iu the past, despite the fact that it is probable that tte creamery will be closed down shortly, thereby necessitating the installation of private separating plants

TE KAUWHATA.

Whilst proceeding on a recent evening by launch from Rangiriri to his home at 'l'e Kauwhata, Mr A A Ross, the Provincial President of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, had an unusual experience There was a whirl and a swish and the propeller promptly refuse:! to turn. Upon examination it was found that a Maori had stretched a net across the creek for mullet, shoals of which tish were finding their way up to the lake, and the net had become firmly lashed and twiatel round the propeller shaft and blades. All efforts at reversing failed ta dislodge thennt, and it was only after some two hours' hanging over the stern of the launch and persistent hacking with a pocket knife that a clearance was obtained. What Mr Ro?s said, ami the remarks of the Maori when ha lound his net, cannot be recorded. It is reported the Maori supposed an old time taniwha liad been paying his mullet a visit

TUAKAU.

The Tuakau Board give notice in our advertising columns that legal proceedings will be taken in all instances where current rateß are not paid by March Ist

STOCK SALE REPORTS.

Messrs Alfred Buckland and Sons reDort:—

"We held our Pukekohe sheep anc 1 ram fair on Tuesday, February 22nd, and had a record entry, every pen nnd yard being full to its utmost capacity. There was a large attendance, and a good demand throughout. Young ewes and lambs sold at ruling high prices; wethers were iirmer; old ewes slightly easier. Earns sold freely. Best fresh fullmouth ewes, £1 4s to £1 6s ; second grade full-mouth ewes, £1 Is to £1 3s (3d; four, sis and eight-tooth ewes, £1 6s to £1 7s 3d; ordinary two-tooth ewes, £1 Is to £1 ss, fail-ing-mouth ewss 16s 6d to 19s, cull ewes 12s to 14s 'Jd; two and fourtooth wethers, £1 5s to £1 7s 3d, small two-tooth wethers, £1 1* to £1 os 6d: fat lamb 3 lbs to £ 1 Is; forward woolly lambs, 15s 6d to 17s; small woolly lambs, 12} to 14s 6d; best thorn lambs, 13 3 to 14s 6d; other shorn lambs, 'Js to 12s; Lincolns rams, £3 3s to £8 8s; Eomney rams, 2.lgns to £o ss; Southdown and Shropshire rams, £3 3s to £5 ss; English and Border Loicesters, £3 3s' to £5 ss: aged rams, 15s to Ugns. Earns of all descriptions sold. At our Westfield weekly fat stock market on Wednesday we sold beef to the nu Tiber of 521 head, comprising 299 steers, 214 oows and 8 bulls. There was a fair demand, but values were eratic. Choice quality sold at late rates, other cattle being easier. Choice ox sold to £2 3s, prime £1 l'Js to £2 Is, ordinary £1 15s to £1 18s; cow and heifer beef, £1 13s to £2 ; steers ranged in price from £8 15s to £11) 12s 61. The highest averages included 20 steer s from Messrs Friedlander Bros, Surrey Farm, Pokeno, £ls 14s 6d ; and two trucks from Mr A. B. Barter, Pukekohe Hill, £l4 3s 8d

The New Zealand Loan aud Mercantile Agency Company report : At Pukekohe on Monday we held a special horse sale when more than the advertised numbers came forward. The demand was keen and we report high prices, 129 horses changing hands. Heavy unbrokeu draughts, £23 to £3O ; medium unbroken draughts, £ls to £2O ; light horses, unbroken, £5 to £l4 : heavy draughts, broken, £25 to £42 ; medium draughts, broken, £22 to £3! ; light harness horses, broken, £ll to £2l : hacks, broken, £lO to £2O ; ponies, broken, £5 to £l2 10s ; weeds, 10s upwards.