DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI—URENUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) There has been a remarkable growth of grass during the past few weeks, and should the present weather continue, the prospects of getting through the winter satisfactorily are much brighter than was the case a month or two ago. Feeding out to stock has become general, and as there is an abundance of well-saved hay, supplies should hold out till well on in the spring. The local cheese factory is now closed for the season, but the North Taranaki Company are still taking in cream from the Okoke every fourth day. Owing to the uncertain state of the Home market, it is hard. to say whether butter or cheese will find most favor with manufacturers. Should the former receive the preference there will be a large number of factory employees that will have to look for other means of employment, and this would seem not so easy to obtain as has been the case during the past few years. At the monthly meeting of directors of the Wai-toi-toi Dairy Company on Tuesday last, Mr. Maurice J. Nathan, accompanied by Mr. Thompson, the New Zealand representative, gave a most interesting and instructive address. He pointed out that In view of the very unsettled state of the market, it was absolutely impossible to foretell what the prices were likely to be In future; but he could, assure them that dairy farmers would have to be prepared to accept considerably less for their produce than they had received: during the past few seasons, as the purchasing powers of the Home consumer was now considerably curtailed. Mr. Nathan also gave much useful first-hand information as to the inner workings of Tooley Street, and the manner in which transactions were carried out after the produce reached England. In reply to a question, as to whether

a rich, full-flavored meaty cheese did not find more favor with the consumer at Home than the dry, close grained article made out of skimmed or low testing milk, Mr. Nattan unhesitatingly declared in,favor of the former, adding that if the Dominion wished to uphold her reputation in this matter, care should be taken that nothing but the best should be exported. He declared that the grading of produce was one of the best steps ever taken in tlie Dominion, but on fct being pointed out that the system as at present carried out did not give universal satisfaction, as many eases tad been known where a second grade article had realised more than a first grade one, Mr. Nathan stated that the remedy was in the hands of the farmers themselves, and the only way that matters could be altered was by combination on the part of the producer. He also stated that one factory in Taranaki was agitating that besides first and second, a "superfine" grade should be instituted, and that this was a move in the right direction and should be supported, as It was beyond question that the better the cheese and butter, the higher figure ft, would command at Home. Mr. Nathan dwelt at length on other matters, and at the conclusion of his address received a hearty vote of thanks. The directors have decided to consign the next season’s output through Messrs. Nathan and Co. The matter of tiling the whey sump was left in the hands of Messrs. J. F. t Phillips and P. R. Spurr.

On Thursday last Mr. Uren, of the State Forest Department, paid a visit to this district. Mr. Uren is inspecting the whole of the ’ State Forest reserves throughout Taranaki, and is selecting fine patrolmen on me different localities with a view to their appointment. His headquarters are at Whangsmomona, and for the futere he will carry out his operations from that centre. Tlie aim of the Department is to take the Turmers adjoining these reserves into theLr ’ confidence and seek their co-opration in their preservation, pointing out that once these blocks are destroyed the rainfall will decrease most appeciably, independent of the loss of much valuable timber. In 'the past, many acts of vandalism have taken place by a number of socalled sportsmen, such as lighting fires, mutilating trees, etc., and the law on this matter is very strict, and in future will be enforced vigorously. Recognising the necessity of keeping up the timber supply of the Dominion, the Department have been actively engaged in tree-planting, the chief centre of operations being round Rotorua, although a large number of men are engaged in this pursuit down the line. This, of course, will entail a. considerable outlay, but in a few years time the timber secured from these plantations will yield a large revenue to the country, besides keeping up the supply. With a view to encourage tree-planting amongst the fanmers, Mr. Uren proposes in the near future to introduce an experienced man, who will deliver a number of lectures at the different centres, besides giving practical illustrations of tree-planting. No doubt such meetings would be well attended, and supported, as it is being generally recognised that something will have to be done to replenish the fast diminishint: supply of firewood, fencing material, timber, etc.

The Urenui School Committee are making several Improvements to the School grounds. A number of large pines have been felled and converted into firewood, whilst the fences are being tr.'itamed and repaired, which will greatly add to the appMrMiee of Ue premises.