GERALDINE FARMERS’ CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2675, 21 June 1894, Page 4

GERALDINE FARMERS’ CLUB.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Geraldine Farmers’ Club - was held on Monday evening last when, considering the cold weather, there was a fair attendance. Mr M. C. Orbell, president, occupied the chair. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Premier stating why the club’s letter of March 9th, re the railway tariff on gram, remained unanswered till April 30th. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The chairman mentiened that the pre> sent ordinary meeting of the club was the last one before the annual meeting, which according the club’s rules, would be held on Wednesday July 4th. The committee would report on the doings of the past past year, and one question to discuss would be that of reducing the membership fee. During the past year they had many expenses, and at the close of their current year the accounts would just about balance. , t Mr H. B. Webster thought that no mention should be made of the exact hour for holding the annual meeting, and moved —“ That it be held immediately after the stock, sale two advertisements to be inserted in the papers.” Mr Wreathall seconded the motion, which was carried. PLOUGHING MATCH. Mr Geo. Ward thought that the club might go in for something else besides providing discussion for members. For instance they might arrange a ploughing match for some time about the middle ot August, i It would be a good thing to get young men together and see what they could do in the ploughing line. He would willingly assist the club in any way to advance the matter and moved —“That it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to arrange a ploughing match under the auspices of the club about the middle of August.” Mr Webster seconded the resolution, and it was carried. GERALDINE HORSE PARADE. Mr H. B. Webster moved—“ That it be a recommendation to the new committee that they try to arrange with Mr Mundell to have the Geraldine horse parades in future carried out under the auspices of the club.” Bethought that Mr Mundell would have no objections to this, and the club would lend considerable influence to the parade. The resolution was seconded by Mr B. R. Macdonald aud carried. Agricultural Conference. Mr M. 0, Orbell gave.an account of the proceedings at the recent Agricultural Conference held at Wellington, at which he represented the club as their delegate. Upon arrival in Wellington a committee of the South Island delegates met to discuss the question of a FLOCK BOOK for New Zealand, and certain rules were passed upon which it was hoped to carry out the idea. Some few mouths ago the North Island breeders formed what they called “ The New Zealand Breeders’ Association,” and they endeavoured to start a flock book upon Hues which did not meet with the support they expected. Subsequently the North aud South Island committees met, and without any illfeeling the former fell in with the latter’s rules after some slight amendments. The Metropolitan Societies, according to the rules agreed on, would elect 11 members from each island which would form the council. Iu each district there would be appointed a sub-committee to investigate auy flock, and, if worthy, have an entry made in the flock book. Although it might be said that this matter was not important in this locality, still it was worth considering, for as a rule stock was sold in the yards or privately that should not be used for breeding purposes, and buyers sometimes did not know what they were buying. The flock book would tend to enhance the value of sheep from year to year. SHEEP AND CATTLE STEALING was a subject that met with a good deal of discussion. A letter was read from Mr Russell, M.H.R., of Napier, ou the question, who advocated the registration of all sales at a central office as a check on sheep and cattle stealing. On tho purchase or exchange of sheep a triplicate form would be filled up. One copy would be kept by tho seller, one taken by the buyer, and it would be the latter’s duty to see the third copy, within 24 hours of the transaction, sent by post to the Registrar of Sheep for the district. Another letter was road from Mr R. Foster, late Inspector iu Canterbury, advocating the registration of earmark of ownership on one ear—such original earmark never to be altered or added to uuder a heavy penalty—leaving the other ear free for bought, ago, or stud marks. He (Mr Orbell) moved at the conference «Tfiat in view of the large revenue derived from the taxation of stock, the Government be requested to appoint a competent person in such centres as may be considered necessary for the purpose of detecting auy sheep or cattle stealing.” This was carried, with other resolutions : Mr J, G. Wilson’s, that a pamphlet of brands aud earmarks of each d strict be procurable at the post offices at small cost, aud Mr Pharazyu’s, drawing attention of the Minister of Justice to the urgent necessity of detecting aud punishing oflenders, aud that the Stock Department be asked to offer rewards. TAXING STALLIONS. This proposal did not receive any support ; there was a strong feeling against any such thing. He (Mr Orbell) showed the Geraldine club’s resolution on this subject, but as delegates were so strongly against it he did not move the same. RAILWAY CHARGES, It was pointed out that at short distance tho railway could not compote with the waggons, because there was tho double cases wore mentioned, tho Levels aud Oamaru, where grain could be carried cheaper by rail. A committee was appointed to see tho Commissioners, and the lattor said that they could not compete iu carrying produce unless they had more foiling stock,

NOXIOUS WEEDS BILL. The Government had already prepared | a draft bill on this question, and it was revised and gone over to Mr Ritchie, and certain amendments were made, all such weeds as sorrel, dock, etc., being struck out, Mr Ritchie giving reasons why they appeared in the last bill. The bill was amended that instead of farmers being compelled to eradicaate their weeds they would have to cut them down before seeding time. As it was impossible to eradicate Californian thistle and many other weeds, a few amendments were made, such as to compel mill-owners to clean their threshing, machines before shifting. The Government were also recommended that part of the bill should make provision for the clearing of our river-beds, because county councils could not possibly undertake the work. THE GRUB QUESSION. There was a great difference of opinion on this question ; several things were recommended, such as lime, salt, etc,, and irrigation was mentioned. Mr John Roberta, of Dunedin, found that feeding off with cattle was a certain cure for grub, but it was shown that not all land would take cattle on it. Eventually it was proposed that that the Government obtain the services of an entomologist to find out the natural enemy of the grub. FREEZERS* Mr J. Greigg read a paper on “ Suitable sheep and cattle for freezing.” It was pointed out, however, that everything depended on the locality. Another thing, it was thought very important in breeding sheep not to to lose sight of our wool. The wool market was a safer market, and should be looked forward to even more than the meat market. THE SHEEP TAX AND RABBIT NUISANCE. Mr Orbell was afraid he had created some dissatisfaction on this particular point. The resolution he proposed was put into his hands by the secretary, as the gentleman who should have proposed it was absent at the moment. He moved the resolution—“ That in the event of the present sheep tax being continued, the money so received be devoted only for the benefit of the sheep farmers.’ ’ He agreed with it thoroughly, but it was not one he would have proposed himself. This sheep tax, he remembered, originated over 30 years ago, when there were not many sheep in this country. It was for the purpose of erradicatiug scab, and had remained in the statute book up to this day. He considered it was an unfair thing, and only about two-fifths of the tax went towards maintaining the sheep department. Why should the sheep be taxed, and not cattle or horses? Why also should sheep farmers be taxed for the rabbits ? He fully recognised that the rabbit question was one that should be coped with, but it was a national question. He (Mr Orbell) told Mr Ritchie that there was not sufficient supervision made for dealing with this nuisance. MORTALITY AMONG SHEEP. Mr Gray read an interesting paper on the diseases of sheep, and referred to a complaint that attacked pregnant ewes about two or three weeks before lambing. One peculiarity of this was that the fatal cases were always invariably amongst ewes carrying twins. This complaint at times he (Mr Orbell) knew from experience was prevalent in our district. Mr Overton’s remedy was to provide ewes with green food about three weeks before lambing. Mr Overton moved—“ That it be a recommendation from this conference to the Agricultural Department to ask by public advertisement farmers and runholders who are troubled with apparent diseases among their flocks to set apart a certain portion of their laud and some of the affected sheep in order that they, in the district or locality in which the disease exists, may be treated by the Government veterinary surgeon under the i supervision pf the stockowner,” One of his (Mr OrbelTs) neighbors had used for the disease mentioned a teaspoonful of ergot of rye to bring on abortion, which saved the owe although the lambs were lost. Mr Gray in his paper also referred to the poisoning of lambs at docking time, and pointed out that it was brought about by the accumulation of filth in dirty yards. He (Mr Orbell), intended next year to try an experiment by docking in a clean paddock, by running up a little wire netting for enclosures. The lungworra disease was also mentioned, but 110 Orbell) thought that there was nothing like a change into good feed for a remedy. FIRE BRANDING CATTLE. A very interesting matter was brought up re the branding of cattle in New Zealand. A letter was read from Messrs Bowron Bros,, of Christchurch, showing that fire branding as at present conducted was productive of great waste in the cutting up of the leather in boot-factories and all leather working establishments, and occurred too in the very best and most expensive part of the hide. They were debarred by this disfigurement from making furniture leather, and the supply had to come from America, uuder the name of “ Buffalo.” Split hides in London they were unable to sell at even 12s each, whereas if they had not been branded there would be no difficulty in selling at 22s per hide. It was thought that brauding on the neck would get over this difficulty, and he (Mr Orbell), believed this was good enough for all purposes, CLOTHING AND HOUSING SHEEP. It was generally known that at shows sheep that had been clothed and housed were exhibited with sheep that had not been so dealt with. He (Mr Orbell) knew people who kept sheds in their paddocks, and a man to watch the sheep and run them in at every shower of rain. This was manifestly unfair, and this occurred in Canterbury. Ho was surprised to see the little support the matter got at the conference, the subject being expunged from the order paper. RABBIT FENCING. A resolution was passed suggesting to the Government to make wire netted fences of certain dimensions a legal fence. THE DAIRY INTEREST. Another good paper was read by Mr Reynolds on the dairy interest. This was a business Geraldine people had some experience in, but failed in their object. At present, however, the creameries had totally altered the industry, and under the present system he (Mr Orbell) thought Geraldine people could not do bettor than reconsider the matter, and they might yet make money out of the dairy industry. Down south he noticed they were giving 3Jd a gallon for milk, and farmers were doing splendidly out of it. The difficulty, though, was to get a concentration of the trade. THE NEXT CONFERENCE. It was proposed that the next conference should be held in Dunedin ; also that the future conference be independent of the Govern meat with regard to travelling expenses of delegates, as at the last conference no political matter could be introduced, and delegates thought it bettor to bo untrammelled in that respect. The direct benefit of these conferences might not be seen, but they would undoubtedly reap an indirect benefit at some time in the future. He could hardly think that 50 or GO men could meet together as they had done without doing some good. (Applause.)

CONCLUSION. Mr H. B. "Webster said that he had heard of the ergot of rye remedy for ewes’ disuse at lambing. The cure should be given every two hours till abortion is obtained. Mention had been made of death at docking time, but he could tell them that there was also deaths at shearing time, caused no doubt through filthy accommodation for the newly-shorn and wounded sheep. With regard to the grub question, he knew several farmers at Kakahu who made a practice of lighting huge bonfires at night along near the hedges, and by this means killed millions of grubs. VOTE OP THANKS. Mr Webster proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the President, for attending the Agricultural Conference, which was seconded by Mr Wreathall and carried. TRAMWAY. Mr Webster said he had received a letter from Mr O. Archer, engineer, Christchurch, regarding a tramway from Orari to Geraldine, and asking what local support would given to same. He had replied personally that he did not believe there would be much support given to such a project or any capital raised locally. The meeting then closed.