DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAI-TOI-TOI-—URENUI.. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Sergeant-Major Bell, of New Plymouth, paid his customary fortnightly’ visit to Urenul on Thursday and Friday last for the purpose of giving instruction in drill to the cadets and territorials in this district. The sergeant states that the attendance is most satisfactory and that keen interest is being evinced in military matters. A number of uniforms have been issued, and will add greatly to tte appearance of the wearers. Now that the busy season is approaching, the authorities quite reedgnise the difficulties in the way of securing a regular attendance, more especially in cases where there are two or more in one household or factory that have to be present. Exemptions are not provided for in the regulations, but Sergeant-Major Bell is most anxious to imeet farmers and other employers in tills matter and every effort will be made to avoid unnecesary inconveniences or friction, and there is little doubt that matters can arranged so that one or more can attend drill on one day, and the others on the next. Employers generally, quite recognise tho importance of these courses of instruction, and no doubt if all pull together and sacrifice a little for each other, there will be no necessity for unpleasantness. There will be a couple of months in the most busy liune of the year when no drill will be held, as tire officers have to attend camp during a portion of that period. It will be remembered that during the war period, there were occasions on which the territorials attended at the specified hours in Urenul, but no officer was present to instruct them. This was unavoidable’ as the department was of necessity much understaffed and could not always be there at the appointed time, and it was extremely difficult to notify those interested. This difficulty, however, will not occur in future, and the drills will be held regularly every alternate week.

The Urenul Library Committee are sparing no pains to provide an interesting social evening and dance on Friday evening next, for the purpose of raising •’funds for tho purchase of new books. Several good fingers have promised to assist, and as the object in view is a most worthy one, there is little doubt the public will show their appreciation of the efforts of the conumittee by attending In large numbers, and a satisfactory sum be thus raised to promote the interests of the library. The North Taranaki Hunt Club are to be congratulated upon tte excellent nominations received for the forthcoming steeplechase meeting to be held on September 3. A most liberal programme has been provided, and as the fixture is always a popular one amongst sportsmen and others in this district there is sure to be a large attendance from this end. Amongst the entrants is the locally owned Kiko Kiko, who won a race at the last Wal-toi-toi beach races; also Hauklno and Simple Sam, who both saluted the judges at that meeting.

A most successful euchre party and dance was held in the Urenul Hall, on Thursday evening last, under the auspices of the returned soldiers. The cards were most interesting and some close finishes resulted. Mr. A. McKay secured the stockwhip presented by Mr. W. Purchas which constituted the prize for gentlemen, whilst Mr. J. S. O’Neill amongst the ladies won tho mirror given by Mr. W. Fuller. Miss N. Murray presided at the piano for the dance which followed, in her usual able manner, extras being played by Mrs. Geo. Bleakley and Mr. Bredds. Mr. Geo. Fuller, assisted by Mr. D. Tate, satisfactorily carried out the duties of M G, and the welcome supper dispensed during the evening was accorded full justice. The success which has attended the growth of the sunflower as a means of making ensilage, has caused several farmers who favor this class of fodder for any autumn or winter feeding to seriously consider the advisability of planting a small area this season as an experiment in this direction, more especially as it has been proved that the sunflower thrives well in this locality. A few remarks taken from the New Zealand Farmer on the subject may therefore prove of interest: Concerning yields it would seem that many experiments go to show the sunflower will outyield maize, and that in dry seasons a lagrer bulk of silage may be secured from sunflower than from the other crop; this is assuming that the plant escapes from severe attacks of a rust that in many districts it Is susceptible to. The disease spreads rapidly and affects both yield and quality. The rust appears late in the season; but tte losses from this cause may he averted, or at least considerably lessened, by the use of varieties that reach the silage-making stage earlier than those that are grown at present. The sunflower yield is also to a certain extent dependent on the methods of planting., Experiments conducted with the object of determining the most suitable distances between the rows are not yet sufficiently conclusive to allow definite recommendation, but it would seem that a distance of thirty inches between the rows may on the average yield the most satisfactory results. Clover planting may be productive of higher tonnage on rich land, in districts where there is an abundant *and well-distributed rainfall, planting at twenty-four inches may result in greater yields in favorable seasons. Concerning the feeding value and palatability of sunflower silage, reports are most universally favorable; it is claimed that this silage is about equal to that of maize. Some reports, however, state, that cattle have refused to consume it; this is possibly due to the fact that the crop may have been in too l advanced a state of ripening before it was placed In the silo. It. appears assured that if the plants are cut sufficiently early, i.e., before the stalks have become woody, cattle take readily to this silage. At. present, experiences are not sufficiently definite to warrant the advocacy of the extensive cultivation of this plant; still, from the point, of view of the feeding value of the sunflower, trials on a small scale may well be undertaken.

During the discussion of the balance-sheet at. the annual meeting of the Wai-toi-toi Dairy Company on Wednesday last, a statement was made by the secretary that the cost, of manufacture in the factory had been 3.78 d per lb of butter-fat and the total cost including depreciation had been 5.61 d per lb butter-fat. Upon information being given as to the quantity of whey butter made as compared with ti e previous season, one of tho shareholders said that the amount of whey butter manufactured had not been as great as it should have been and- t* nnneared that much of the fat had gone the drain. If proper care had been tal®n the cheese suppliers would have received *t least 2d per lb more. At first glftooe, would appear to «be some-

thing in tVis contention, but a careful investigation of the figures, and taking into consideration the vagaries of Igst season, prove that the actual results as far as the amount of butter manufactured is concerned, the 1921 season compares favorably with Its predecessor, and any'loss to suppliers will have to be looked for in some other direction. From the records at the factory, it may be seen that in 1919-20, there were 3,095,6791bs of milk dealt with, from which some 66481bs of whey butter was made. Last season 3,930,2301bs •of milk were received and 82771bs of milk (whey) produced. These figures give an average of 4651bs of milk per lb of butter for 1919-20, and 4741 b for the 1920-21 period—a difference o? 91b. For the first three months of the former season it took 6231b5. to make lib. of butter, as against 6171 b for 1921. In the months of March, April, and May, a startling difference is apparent, as whQj-eas in 1920 it took 3451 b of milk to producq lib of butter, it only, required 2421 b in 1921, the average test for the period tyeing 4.81 in the' foihner case and 4.51, in-the latter. Whereas lit those months in 1920, 677,9591 bs of milk were received, in 1921 there were only 466.195. Had tho autumn of the season just ended been a* s favorable as in 1920, and only the same amount of milk been received, the average would have been reduced to 4281bs of milk per |4) of butter and ti e total amount produced would hare reached 91521b5. As some disatisfaction has been evinced amongst suppliers as to the results shown, these figures are given to show how easily mistakes may occur, and be of some use in removing, the impression that the laxity and negligence put down to the directors and manager were not altogether reasonable in this respect. Although the balance-sheet stows the sum received for cheese to have been £24,098 8s 2d, tills amount also includes the sales of whey butter, and the sum paid out, vis 2s 7 316 d for butterfat represents all that was in the articles, after deducting s.Gid for cost, of manufacture and depreciation, and not for cheese sales only. It would have been an easy matter for any manager, by reducing the number of ibs of butter-fat to have increased the price to, say, 3s per lb, but it does not follow the suppliers would have been any better off. During the discussion on this point, a remark was made to tie effect that tho yield (264) was very satisfactory, and unucli more reliable than a higher one would have been. It might be mentioned that the richness of the autumn milk wai one of the factors which led to the skimming of whey, when it was found that the cfceese manufactured at this period of the season could not incorporate all the fat contained in the milk, it can easily be seen that the only moans of preventing this surplus from becoming waste was to extract it from the wl:ey and convert it into butter It will also be easily understood that in the case of an exceedingly dry autumn, when the anilk is only forthcoming in small quantities, it must have a tendency to lower the average production of whey butter for the season. TARATA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) For eome time past there has been In this district, a movement to arrange a. football match between Pukelro and Tarata, and although the two teams have had but little practice, a match took place last Saturday, the challenging team (Fukeho) being defeated by the Tarata team after a. hard contest by 3 to nil. The Pukeho team was captained by Mr. Campbell and the Taratfl. team by Mr. Etu, who handled I - is team with considerable ability, in spite of a showery days visitors were present from all surrounding districts, the ball being kicked off by the local team at 3 o’clock, they securing the first score early in the game. During the second spell neither team gained an advantage, but the locals kept the challenging team on the defensive, and several times the local team forced the ball over the line, but failed to score. Messrs. A. Bishell and G. Smith acted as line umpires, and Mr. E. Bishell proved himself a most efficient referee. At the conclusion of the match cheers were called by Mr. Etu for the visiting team, who suitably responded.’ Before leaving the field the winning team was photographed by Mr. Matheson. Upon leaving the field the two teams were invited by the ladies of the district to partake of afternoon tea, which they had kindly provided in the Tarata Hall for the occasion. In the evening a sunoke concert was held in the Tarata Hail to celebrate the day’s match. I understand a return match is being arranged to take place, probably at Pukeho next Saturday, and that Purangi is also arranging a team to challenge Tarata. A very enjoyable euchre parts’ And dance was held in the Tarata Hall on the 12th inst,, four tables being in requisition. Miss .1. Crowe was the winner of the lady’s prize, securing nine games out of ten, and was presented with l ,,, a hat pin racket, while Mr. Tainui won She gentleman’s prize with eight games. He was presented with a handsome shaving mug. Al the conclusion of the euchre, a very dainty supper was provided by the ladies of the district, and done full justice to by all present. After supper the hall was cleared for dancing, the music being voluntarily contributed by Messrs. J. Burgess, .1. Burr, and’ A. Elliott, and 'two o'clock brought a very enjoyablf evening to a close. The proceeds from the night’s entertainment were devoted to the funds of the hall committ .