DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 18 August 1911, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

BAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent). The voice of the calf is now to bo heard throughout the land, evidencing that the farmer's holiday is about at an end, and that the arduous toil of another milking season, and, incidentally, fat monthly cheques, is about to commence. The calf is now a very valuable side line, and with prices as they are at present it is a moral certainty that the "slaughter of the innocents," which was so much in vogue a few years ago, will not be in evidence this year, at all events.

A movement is on foot to form a cowtesting association in this district, and it is to he hoped that it will be attended with success, A poor cow cats as much and costs as much, sometimes more, to milk than a good one does, and with the present high prices of laad, and consequent higher interest to be paid, ths farmer must keep the profitable animal. He cannot succeed unless he does. There are very few farmers who can pick out the best cows in the herd. There are two things to consider: the quantity of milk produced, and the amount of butterfat. The heavy milker may perhaps not he,qs,good as the lighter milker, for the butter-flit may be lacking, and, moreover, the one may keep up its supply longer than the other. The only way that the profitable and unprofitable animals can be sorted out is by systematic testing and weighing -at regular internals and .then tabulating the results at the end of the season. Very few farmers have the time, apparatus or knowledge necessary to do their own testing, but they can weigh each cow's milk and select a sample once a month, and this is all that they will be asked to do, for if an association is formed, a qualified man will be employed to do the testing. These associations are acting successfully i n other parts, and there is absolutely no reason why one or more should not % established down the coast. Mr. Singleton, Government expert, has addressed meetings at Rahotu, Oaonui and Pungarehu on the question, and it is proposed that these three companies should co-operate, and representatives have been appointed as follows to see what support will be given:—Messrs A. Chapman, Gibson, J. Willcox (Eahotu), J. Young, C. H. Pepperill and C. Jeffries (Oaonui), and M. Fleming, R. Fleming and C. Penwarden (Pungarehu). It is considered that 3000 cows would be necessary before a start could be made. If these were guaranteed an expert tester could be employed, and a start made this season. There would be a levy made of 2s per cow, and all that would be necessary for the farmer to obtain would be sample bottle and balance or scales to weigh the milk. The associa- j tion would provide the chemicals necessary, and it is expected that arrangements could be made with the factories interested for the use of the testing room. Already some 1500 cows have been guaranteed, and it is hoped the rest will be I forthcoming, as Taranaki is essentially a i dairying district, and if the best results I are to be obtained the best methods J must be adopted. : The annual meeting of the Rahotu ] Dairy Company is to he held on Friday, ' 25th inst. Rumor has it that the com-! pany is not a very happy family, an 4 some interesting discussion is anticipated.

Farmers are finding that shelter in th<j winter is almost as necessary as food, and quite a number between Rahotu and Opunake are planting box-thorn. The steam motor waggon has made several trips along this way and seems to move very well. It is to be hoped that it will prove successful, and be the forerunner of many more. When the failure of the Motor' Company was chronicled there were many pessimists who prophesied that horses would have to be relied on or many years yet. A petition is in circulation for presentation to the Government asking for railway connection with Opunake and the main line. The petition is being largely signed. This question perennially crops up, but it is doubtful if a petition will have any effect. The powers that be will build the railway when they feel disposed to, despite its urgency. Already this session, Mr. Dive has brought the matter up in the House, but received a very diplomatic and noncommittal reply. Measles are prevalent in the district, but so far it lias not been considered necessary to close the school.

Mr. Walter Green, for many years factory manager at Rahotu, and who had recently to resign the managership of the Golden Bay Dairy Company owing to ill-health, is now on a visit to Rahotu. His future movements are uncertain, but it is quite probable that |he may remain here, where he has farming interests.

The Road Board have decided to reorganise the staff, and instead of a foreman having control of the men, one surfaceman is to be appointed for each ward, and he will have to report monthly to the Board. How the system will act remains to bo seen.

Mr. Ken. Andrews has purchased Air. J. Julian's store at Warea, and takes possession shortly. His many friends will wish him success in his venture.

In previous years, the Rahotu bachelors' ball has been the function of the year. The numerous matrimonial unions, however, have so depleted . the supply of bachelors in the district that it looked as if the ball would fall through this year. The spinsters, as the bachelor ladies are called, came to the rescue, and a combined spinsters' and bachelors' ball was held, which completely eclipsed all previous efforts. A strong committee, with Miss Phillips and Mr. Sharrock as secretaries, had been formed, and perfect arrangements had been made to ensure the comfort of the \ guests, of whom there were over WO couples present; the whole coast from Okato to Kapuni being represented. The preparation of the iloor, a most important feature, had been placed under the care of Mr. J. Sehinkel, and he proved himself a veritable artist, the floor being as smooth as glass, over which the devotees of Terpsichore found it a picasure to <i'li(k'. [Excellent music, bv Messrs Ivtiowles (piano), Duncan (violin) and Fischer (cornet), together with courteous attention liy the painstaking M.U.'s, Messrs J. Willcox, R. Rothery and A. D. Fielder, were further factor's towards the evening's enjoyment. In order to avoid any delay supper was handed round i>y many willing hands, and the jellies, salads and other dainties were much appreciated. Dancing was kept up vigorously until after 4 a.m., and even then it was only with regret that many of the dancer's left the alluring scene. During the evening Miss Sole played an extra.