PAHIATUA NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9684, 7 January 1910, Page 6

PAHIATUA NEWS.

(From Our Resident Reporter). Thursday. VALEDICTORY. Practically every supplier to the Ballance Company's Scarborough Creamery assembled to bid farewell to their late manager, Mr James Paget, who by his courteous and obliging manner, and by the general intrest he took in the welfare of the dairy farmers ot that district, had earned their highest esteem. The chair was occupied by Mr McFarlane, Chairman of Directors of the Ballance Company, who is a recognised authority on all matters pertaining to dairying, and to whose efforts the success ot the industry in this district, can be attributed in no small degree. In responding to the toast of the "Dairying Industry," Mr McFarlane referred tojthe early days of the dairy industry, and made a most interesting speech, in which he imparted a great deal of very valuable information. He referred to the old days—a period of hard and strenuous work with little reward. Butter in those days brought 41 to 4Jd per lb, and then it had to be ex changed for the ordinary necessaries of life. It reflected the utmost credic . upon, the pioneers of the industry that to-day they were possessed of an independency, and in most instances were in a position to give the members of their respective families the comforts of civilisation, and start them in life with every assurance of success. Dealing with the industry of to-day Mr McFarlane stated that dairy farmers generally were awaken ing to the fact that scientific methods must be introduced in order to obtain from their dairy herds, the best that was in them. In this direction valuable assistance has been rendered to the farmers by the provision of testing apparatus, which made it passible to weed out the "wasters" of the herd, or in other words cows that were not worth the feed they were eating. Following on a proper system of culling and when herds had reached a state of more or less perfection from a productive point of view, a fail in present prices of id to Id per lb would be met by the increased supply. The output of butter from the Dominion during last year in value was third on the list of ex- j ports, being exceeded only by wool j and mutton. He confidently antici- i pated that it would take second place during 1910. The whole output of the Ballance Company during the present season had been first grade, the last grade note showing that 94 out of a possible 100 had been obtained. The prosperity of Pahiatua could be traced directly to the influence of the cow, for the dairy farms were limited in area, and made to produce in full. The amicable "working and success of any dairy factory rested to a great degree with the manager and staff. A manager really required to be a student of human nature, for the dairy farmer was susceptible to fan cied slights and at this period required, tactful handling. Their late manager, Mr Paget, had proved himself a thoroughly capable official, with the result that everything had gone alone smoothly during the long period in which he had directed operations at Scarborough. In handing to Mr Paget a handsome marble clock, the gift of the suppliers, Mr McFarlane expressed the regret they all felt at losing his valuable ser-

vices. Mr G. Godfrey Taylor, Secretary j of the Company, on behalf of the j staff, then presented Mr Paget with j a complete shaving set and case ot j military brushes, referring to his many sterling qualities as a fellow employee,' and of the general esteem in which he was held by the residents of Scarborough. Mr Paget briefly responded. In propoaing and responding to the various toasts all the speakers made complimentary reference to the guest of the evening. The following toast list was hon-oured:--"The King"; "Dairying Industry," Mr Wagstaff, responded to by Mr McFarlane; "Our Guest.'' Mr Olliver—Mr Paget; "Milk Suppliers," Paget —Mr A. Yule, "Directors Ballance Company,. Mr Richmond—Mr H. Hirst: ' Staff, ■Mr Murray —Mr D. Kelly; ' Commercial Industries," Mr E. Petherick '_Mr D. Davidson; "The Ladies," Mr e raser —Mr L. Ogden; "Pres".

During the evening songs , were rendered by Messrs J. Horton, B. Mills, u. Taylor, C. Mills, L, Ogden, E. Petherick, G. Stone, E. Selby, E. Wagstaff. Hathaway, Spering and D Wilton; recitations by H. A. Thomson, E. Petherick and D. Wilton, and Mr Paget gave a selection on the bagpipes, while Messrs Selby, Brothers apd T. Walsh sang a quartette. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the promoters of the gathering, Messrs E. Wagstaff, b. Richmond, J. Murray and Olliver. Messrs C. Mills and L. Ogden ably accompanied those rendering vocal items. GENERAL. The matter of securing reliable pig-milk barrels is one of considerable importance to the dairy farmer, and in this, respect Mr D. A. Grut has a large number of strong barrells made from British oak for sale at prices within the reach of all, further particulars of which will be found on page 1 of this issue. A meeting of Scarborough residents will be held in the schoolroom on Monday evening, for the purpose of arranging a suitable farewell to the Headmaster, Mr Malcolm, who is leaving shortly to take up his duties as Headmaster of the Mitchell - town School. Messrs P. E. Debreceny and Co., of the "Mart," opened up to-day a consignment of 4,000 good quality , white and gold cups and saucers. Of this large number only six cups on the top were broken, showing the great care that had been taken with the packing in England. A line of these will be offered for sale on"Saturday afternoon at the usual Mart sale. Mr William Scgeant, a dairyfarmer of Makomako, died at the Pahiatua HospitaJ, to-day. The funeral will take place on Saturday ntxt, at 11 a.m.