NORTHERN WAIROA AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 195, 28 April 1893, Page 2

NORTHERN WAIROA AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The ordinary quarterly meeting of the above Society was held at Mititai on Thursday evening-. Mr F. Bradley, president, occupied the chair, and called upon the Secretary to read the minutes of last meeting. There were twenty-two members in attendance ; Messrs G. Dresden Senr., H. T. Smith, R. Masefield, R. Boyd, T. Hamlin, B. C. New, J. L Buchanan, and J. Young, being the new members proposed and accepted at the meeting-, and all of whom were present. Mr Of. S. Cooke, sheep inspector, wrote in reply to a letter from the Secretary saying that the district was too large and intricate to allow of him visiting this part more than once in each year. Mr T. Webb considered itj necessary for the inspector to see each flock in the district. Mr Dreadon Senr. s-iid it would be quite impossible for one man to do so. Mr M. Harding' said the inspection as at present made was only a farce ; the inspector had the whole of North Auckland to the Waitemata to look after, and there were over eleveu hundred sheep owners. Mr 8. Dodd gave the Inspector credit for a very minute inspection of his flock, and for having ‘ sailed ’ for him straight because of the tops of the ears being cut. He did not know what the Inspector said to his neighbour who had both ears of his sheep cut away. The meeting had no desire to find fault with the sub inspector, who was well spoken of by several. Mr A. E. Harding moved and Mr T. Webb seconded That the Secretary write to the Chief Inspector informing- him that the Society is not satisfied with the inspection of sheep in the district ; the extent and intricacies of the sub-division being more than could be overcome by one inspector.—Carried. Mr If. M. Houston, M.H.R., wished the Association success and forwarded a donation of one pound. SHEEP AND CATTLE STEALING!, £SO REWARD. The question of Sheep and Cattle stealing was then introduced by Mr M. Harding, who had a formula drawn up whereby those signing

it guaranteed to contribute the sums set opposite their names towards a reward for anyone bringing about the conviction of a cattle stealer in the district.

Several settlers spoko of heavy losses they had suffered from sheep and cattle stealing. Sheep had even been stolen from a slaughterhouse pen where they had been put for slaughter next morning. Many men in the back country were living on beef who never had any of their own and never bought any. The guarantee paper was passed round the room for signature and it was then agreed— That the Secretary write to the Inspector and also local police informing them that the Society will give a reward of £SO to the first person procuring the conviction of any person for cattle stealing in the district 3 also that the reward be advertised in the local papers, and by placards. A Butter Factory.

Mr F. Bradley introduced the question of the establishment of a butter factory in the district. He gave an account of the ease and comfort with which settlers in Taranaki managed their dairy work, and contrasted the difficulties under which the Wairoa settlers struggled through the summer. The factory system ensured monthly payments in cash, and in conversation with Taranaki settlers he had been informed that the factories bad been tho salvation of some of them. One gentleman who milked twenty ordinary cows was there making £l4 a month from them, besides having the milk to feed his calves and pigs. The factories were only worked in summer time, when roads were good, Several gentlemen spoke on the matter and those present guaranteed their ability to provide the milk of 150 cows for a factory. This estimate it was stated could be easily doubled if the factory as convenient and successful. Mr H. T. Smith said he could guarantee the milk of 50 cows from Graham’s Fern if the Factory was put on the river bank. It was decided on the motion of Mr R. Masefield to adjourn the discussion of the question to (he next meeting, and in the meantime to procure all tho detailed information possible. A POUND Poll OX AH 17. Mr A J. Gels' on, who confessed he had been a sinner in allowing cattle to run on the roads, brought forward the question of a Pound for Okahu. Lie thought the time had arrived when something should be done to put a stop to the damage done (o roads and fences by straying cattle. Many settlers could speak feelingly on the matter. Mr S. Powell said the working bullocks were the greatest offenders Mr 11. Smith said (hat one morning the Maories brought 16 horses to the corner by his house and lei them go ; the tramping up and down did great damage to the roads. Mr J. Young moved that the County Council be asked to bring the Impounding Act into force in the Okahu Riding and instruct the ranger to impound cattle found on the formed roads.--Carried uunnimously. On the suggestion of Mr Smith it was unanimously decided to recommend the section belonging to the Council at Pukeatua as the most suitable site. Resolved that future meetings be advertised at a cost not to exceed 2s 6d each insertion. Resolved that next meeting be held at Mititai, with apologies to Mr Kitching for the intrusion. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Kitching for his hospitality, and the meeting dispersed about half-past ten. having passed a very pleasant and instructive three hours.