RAHOTU FARMERS' MEETING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8157, 14 July 1906, Page 2

RAHOTU FARMERS' MEETING.

Tiie renently-inaugurate 1 policy of the Taranaki Agricultural Society, in holding meetings of the farmers at the various outlying centres within the sphere of its influence land usefulness, seems fully justifi dby results. The second of the series was held at llahotti on Thursday night, and, like the initial gathering at Inglewood, was very well attended, the dark, wet rough night notwithstanding.- Mr' VI, Fleming presided, and on behalf of the settlers of the Eahotu district, welcomed lhe representatives of the Society, mid thanked them for visiting the;n and enlightening them on the work and objects of the institution, Vn Agriculture Sooiety was the best institution the farmer could have, but, liv.ng as they did iu the backblocks, ttahotu farmers were not deriving the whole of the advantages that should accrue to them, He was, therefore, especially pleased to see that the Society was taking steps to get among the settlers- In introducing Air Newton King, president of the Society, the chairman suggested he should address the meeting on "how to reduce all overdraft," and then he could be assured of rapt attention. (Laughter). Captain Young's lecture, he said, would deal with the "the milch cow, the motive power of Taranaki."

Mr Newton King spoke briefly, but to tlie point. They all knew that not so long ago the Society had got a bad name. People said it was dormant, but it was worse than that —it was in a dying state. Members were talking of winding it up, but decided to " have another go." Fresh young blood was introduced, and the change was working splendidly. These meetings farmers were the outcome of a suggestion by Air Ambury, and were likely to be productive of much good to farmers, and to the Socioty. He introduced Captain Young as a man who knew what he was talking about, and who talked a great deal straighter than most Government officials wore in the habit of doing He had been asked to speak on 'Jhow to make money," but that must be deferred for another ovoning, when doubtless his friend, Mr Okey, would tell them " how to keep money." (Laughter). Here was a hint, though. Farmers wou'd do well to, consider whether it would be advis* able to go in for more pigs this coming season, A few years a,go pigs rose in price, and factories, sprang up all along the railway line. People rushed into tho pig-raising business, and the demand was over supplied. Then the price fell, and pigs were not worth keeping. Now, however, there was quite a different condition of affairs, Messrs Bothwick and Sons, of the VYaitara Freezing Works, were now taking all the pigs they oould get, and freezing them for the Home market, paying the farmer fourpence per pound (including heads) at Waitara, allowing 3 per cent, for shrinkage. He -had told the firm that if they advertised this, they would be able to get any amount of pigs for next season, for farmers would be able to see a market ahead, and would go ia more largely for rearing. The question of freight, ho knew, was a drawbaok along the coast, being 3s 6d per pig from Eahotu as against fourpence (by rail) from Tokn. He would suggest, however, a " double-decker " waggon, which must decrease freight charges in proportion to its greater oarrying capaoity. Mr Okey followed with an interest, ing few minutes' talk on the benefits that would accrue to Taranaki farmers by keeping the Agricultural Society alive, Besides the value of the annual shows, the Society could, by united action, represent various matters to the Department, and get assistance for the farming community in this district. Our farmers, he said, did not tako sutlloient advantage of the Veterinary Department. They treated the [ vot. like a lawyer or a doctor, keeping ; away from him as long as possible. Officers of the Veterinary Department, of course, were not intended to travel ; 30 or if) miles to see a lame horse, but wore always prepared to give a Iriee to farmers in the district in which they were engaged. They had to supervise the stock and meat which swelled our export to the tune of fill) ():)i 1,00;), nnd cou'd not, therefore, always bo available for little tliiug?. He li id been asked lo tel! the meeting hy.r tn stick to money after lh.iy.luil undo it. His advice W-is, " Doii't buy rahvs." Mr W. Ambury was the next spciker, who empliAsisml the fact tint there was no. New Plymouth shjw, buf-a Taranaki show in which l{ihotn farmers were just as much interested as % farmers ar.ound New Plynpntli, where it was held. Kihotu was 30 miles from the cfulre, and it was therefore impossible for the fanners to attend committee and executive ; meetings in New Plymouth, so thr committee had brought the meeting's to the members, and others interested. Mr Ambury dwelt on the aims and objects of the Society, the principal of [ which was that by the annual exhibitions and comparisons of stock,

young farmers would be saved the trouble, and expense of (lie years of experimenting that had been carried out by the older farmers. They wanted to know the brat breed, and to get hold of the best of that breed.

The Society was not here to give that information, but its duty was to bring the different breeds together for comparison. Mr Ain bury mentioned the necessity that existed for the establish-

ment of an experimental station. There were several in the colony, but though the Taranaki farmer was helping to pay for them, he was getting very little benefit. The farmers themselves could do a lot by planting with various manures, and miking known the reresults of the tesfc.s For such a purpose, no doubt, manures would be procurable by the Society without cost Mr Ambury referred to the educational value of the Society's milking tests, aijd invited suggestions from farmers to make the annual shoivs better and mope attractive. Captain Young's Wuro on the " ltoiry Cow 'f w.is Fall of valuible information, and as cnterfrunm/i as it was interesting to the nu-liouce. At it< conclusion, (lie lecturer answered n series uf questions. Our rep irt of ui> remarks is held over.