OUR LETTER BOX

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 134, 10 June 1904, Page 2

OUR LETTER BOX

(we are at all times willing to publish correspondence on matters of public interest, but it must bo distinctly understood that we are not identified with the letters of our correspondents.—Ed. Daily Nows.i PIG BREEDING. (To the Editor.) Sir,—The June number of the New Zealand Farmer has on page 44(i a notice of a book recently issued by the United Stales Department of Agriculture (Bureau of Animal Industry) and as the following extract from the notice ought to be of interest to our settlers, I beg the use of your columns to bring it under their notice, as your paper will reach many times morn farmers In Taranakl than the Farmer paper :—"Tho appearance of this book, produced by the American Department of Agriculture, may also help to ■direct, renewed attention to the industry of pig breeding in this country, which has in the past been too much neglected." Now, if there is one portion, of this colony which, more than any other, ought to direct renewal attention to pig breeding it is the district around New Plymouth unci along the coast. At one time we had I believe the only bacon factory in Taranu.ki, but for some reason it closed down. Now Inglewood, Stratr ford and Klthnm possess bacon factories, and I hope very shortly to see one at work in our midst, mid that this district will take its proper place in adding to its prosperity. I am pleased to notice that the Farmers' Unions are moving in the matter of establishing a co-operative bacon factory, and I think they are acting wisely in visiting an up-to-date factory before deciding to buy either of the two properties offered. —I am, etc., FABMERS' UNIONIST. EAST ROAD AND THE BACK BLOCKS. (To Hie Editor.) Sir,—lt is an astonishing matter to me to lind that the Government is always short of money when it is required to open up and metal the roads east of Stratford and in other back blocks. If it happens to be ! the straightening of the llutt rail- ' way, new railway ollices, additions to the Wellington post office, or matters affecting the large centres, it is all right. I am awfully surprised that it has not offered a contingent for the Russo-Japanese war, or a donation towards that buccaneering expedition in Thibet I But to make an application for £BO,OOO to linish the metalling as far as Whan- ! gamomoiia would apparently para- | lyze the Cabinet, although * 90 per cent, of the settlers out there are Government/ leaseholders: who wont out on the distinct understanding that the road would have been motailed years ago. Their present position is about ten times as bad as was that of the Ultlnndt-rs in South Africa, for whose relief our Govern- ' incut spent a sum of £21)0,000.—I am, etc., STRATFORD.