GERALDINE FARMERS’ CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2750, 13 December 1894, Page 2

GERALDINE FARMERS’ CLUB.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine Farmers’ Club was held on Monday evening last, Mr M. C. Orbell (President), in the chair. TIUABU HARBOR. The chairman laid on the table a report of the Royal Commission on Breakwater Extension at Timaru with notes of evidence taken at Conference in Timaru on Wednesday, Sept. 12tb, 1894, and follow* ing days. The chairman said thac hwd there not been a meeting of ratepayers the other day he felt like suggesting that another meeting be held at once to discuss the question of the Timaru Harbor. If they would read the report he laid on the table they would be astounded at the jeopardy the harbor was in. One thing that struck him ns strange was that Timaru returned two members and paid £322 out of £4,500. Mr Shiers said that South Canterbury was liable to contribute £IO,OOO in case of any deficiency ; although the highest amount that had ever so far been levied was £6,774. The burden would fall on the landowners, and they hardly realised their liability. Ho was afraid that the Timaru Harbor would be closed up in seven years. • It was decided that the matter of the Timaru Harbor Breakwater be held over for full discussion at the next meeting of the olub. MATTED FLEECES. Mr B. R. Macdonald asked for information as to the cause of matted fleeces amongst sheep. There seemed to be a difference of opinion on the matter. Mr J. Murray was of opinion that a check was the cause of matted fleeces. Mr Webster had not seen so many matted fleeces as there were thia year. Some of them were like doormats. The chairman thought that it might be a constitutional matter. Mr hjhuray «ejd be noticed it mostly amongst rough flcec^V. WOOL SALES. Mr Webster made reference to the con: dition in which wool was sent into the market at the present time. It was often sent in an abominable state, without the dags taken off and wjth stained wool, He referred especially to the wool frog)

this district. They seemed to think that they could take anything up and put in the bale, and good wool was simply ruined for want of a little bit of care. Then wool growers expected to get big prices, but ha could assure them that wool sent in as mentioned would, this year, only fetch the price of pieces. Mr B. R. Macdonald thought that the present state of things was owing mainly to the action of the buyers and the auctioneers. He could mention a ease of a clip that was put into the market carefully skirted and in good condition while a dip was put on the market in the state mentioned by Mr Webster. The latter brought a big price and was commended for the way in which it was put on the market. Mr Webster believed that Mr Macdonald was right, the trouble arose through one or two men getting good prices for such bales, leaving the bellies in. Major Moore mentioned an instance in connection with his own wool. Ha always got up his wool as well as he could and packed the bellies separately, while his neighbour who put the tellies in topped his (Major Moore’s) prices. The last year of his farming he adopted his neighbour’s plan and was surprised to find that he got very near the top price; Mr Webster said that: from what he could hear the buyers would be very careful this year, and wool packed as described would only fetch the price of pieces. The man who was careful this year would get the benefit. The meeting then terminated.