WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 297, 4 June 1898, Page 3

WHATAWHATA.

Farming Matters.—Thesharp southerly winds, with frosts, that we have experienced during the past few days reminds us that winter has come, and that farm stock, if they are to be kept in condition, must have more substantial food than that obtainable in the pasturts. Fortunately during the past month a rapid growth wa3 made in grass, soft turnips and early-sown oats, so that more food will be available than was at one time expected. For the t : me of year the roads are phenominally good, no lengthened rains having yet fallen, and with the present dry and frosty weather the much-dreaded mud will be absent for a few weeks more. Milk Question.—With the close of the mouth our creamery ceased operations for the season, and at the end of what has proved a most unsatisfactory term for milk suppliers one may be forgiven for expressing the hope that next season may be more favourable, both as regards climatic conditions and also prices. While milk suppliers have been struggling against heavy odds in the shape of -drought, parched up pastures, and in many instances with expensive cows, drying off their abnormally light milk yields at an early period of the season, the res-ultant milk cheques being smaller than ever experienced, the published quotations for butter in the Home and colonial markets appear to have been almost uniformly good, indicating that the butter manufacturers have had a fairly good time of it. Under the circumstances the milk supplier may reasonably ask that his end of the business should receive some favourable consideration, and the price of milk be raised a point or two. It seems singular that in a co-operative business venture Mike the dairy industry, in which the milk suppliers have an immense amount of capital invested, some better system of organisation does not exist among themselves. One might reasonably snppoc that at the end of a campaign, whether of butter-making, sugar manufacturing, or anything of a kindred nature, the prulucers of the raw material would meet to disjuss matters affecting their interests, and arrive at something like a good understand ng among themselves, instead of waiting until the manufacturers mature their plans ; and fix their prices for the raw material. By discussing the pros, and cons, of this business together, milk suppliers would get better informed, and a good deal of misunderstanding and friction with the manufacturers at times be avoided, and, with this view, probably no one would welcome a movement of the kind more cordially than the N.Z. Dairy Association. Perhaps I have occupied more space upon the subject than proper, but the dairy industry, since its inauguration by Messrs. Reynolds and Co., hns done a great deal for our little district; and wc have grown to regard it: not as a casual visitor (calling in to give us a temporary lift)but as a permanent and reliable frier d; now the »heet anchor of the small settler.

Changes.—During the past few weeks several changes among our settlers have taken place. Mr W. Laxon has given up the farm at Ohotc Bridge (for some years leased and worked by him), and has taken over Mrs Rothwell's, senr., property at the Blackwater Creek ; Mr F. Story, who formerly occupied this farm, having purchased a nice property Dear the township. Further down the main road Mr Frodsham has sold his little homestead of 70 odd acres to Mr Libeau, of Newstead, the price being about £2 per acre; at which figure, being partly improved and handy to the To Kowhai Creamery, it should be a bargain. Wedding.—-The last, but not least, item in my report is that of the wedding which took place on Tuesday last, the principals being Mis 3 Grace Swanson (youngest daughter of our respected fellow-settler, Mr Geo. Swanson), and Mr Herbert Hunt, of Te Kowliia. The young couple are well known and much liked throughout the Waipa district, and have the good wishes of a large circle of friends, among them being the Argus correspondent.—(Own Correspondent).