WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 798, 6 November 1900, Page 3

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Thk monthly meeting of this club was held at Cambridge last evening. Thcie was a fair attendance, amongst those present being Messrs J. Barugh (President) in the chair, W. G. Park (vicePresident), and F. W. Lang, M.H.K. New Members.—The followioe were elected members of the club : Messrs Thos. Walters, C. Hutchinson, senr. and jJutir., T. H. Worthington, W. Baker, Davis, W. Runciman, K. Lewis, D. ■ Ulualil, and T. Hunt. ipHfc»i B ' :AN(JKKS 0K TurcCiaJn.— Mr K. o.™nepl».:d, of Whatawhata, wrote that they I\ws established a branch of the club there, >md he gave a list of the members. The following office™ had been appointed : Chairman, Mr E. C. Shepherd ; vice-Chairman, Mr T. C. Blacken ; members of committee, Messrs W. Mawhiuney, A. Gaskill, and T. Calder. The Chairman is to act as hon, sec—Mr Shepherd asked that the brand) should have the opportuuily to discuss the new rules before they were finally adopted by the club.—Mr J. K. McDonald, of" Waingaro, wrote, stating a branch had been formed there, giving a list of members, and saying that he had bsuo elected chairmau and hon. ssc. of the branch.—The formation of both branches was sanctioned, and the members of them were duly elected members of the club. The Case ok Specimen Grasses.— Messts A. Yates and Co., of Auckland, wrote, stating they would forward the case of grasses as soon as possible, but delivery could not be made for some little time. Frozen Lambs.—At the previous meeting the secretary was instructed to write the Auckland Freezing Company, asking what price they would give for lambs this season, and pointing out that the prices quoted iu the South were much in advance of those giveu in Auckland by the company last season.—To this Mr Bevins, the manager of the company, replied as follows :—" We hope to be able to give 9s per head on trucks for lambs this season. Comparisons 'are generally odious ; what woukl a Southern farmer say if he saw Auckland market reports of lambs up to 13s and 14s, which is often the truth. The same thing applies in the Southern markets, lambs of large size and even quality sell iu proportion to their value ; as London reports show you, Canterbury brands (well-known ones) command $d per lb more than North Island, which is equivalent to Is 6d per head on the carcase, and then the skin is worth 6d more, which makes a value of 2s in all more than ours, and buyers there never give more than 10s 6d to lis for lamhs for export to London. The price in London fluctuates very much both in sheep and lambs ; last season the fluctuation amounted to as much as2d per lb, the price of North Island varied from 3|d to s£d in stores, or equivalent to osi\ to 5Jd c.i.f., London. _ Now, if anyone cares to operate in the Home market would it be wise to expect top prices and buy accordingly, or to take a mean and contract thereon ? We prefer this latter course, and buy on the expectation of getting a mean level of prices and will sell our purchases at once rather than take the risk ; experience teaches us this is the best course. We are perfectly frank with you. We will 'give as much for all Hues of suitable stock as we can in order to encourage production. As you are aware we are now doing this with beef, our price this year is fully 5s por 100 lb more than last, and if we could do this with sheep and lambs wo should only be too glad to do so, but the market with these latter- two is too risky. Beef fluctuates less. However if any one of your friends or members of the Club think that they can do better for themselves, we shall be pleased to freeze for them and they take their own risks. With every intention of advancing producers' interests, we cannot take undue risks, and we are confident that in the long run you will say that we are right Sure and safe progression is the best. The farmers you allude to who come here with Southern ideas no doubt know their business and vyill act as beacons tor you. Get them to consign their lambs or sheep for realization, and then act yourselves according to the results shown.'' Mr Milne did not think the price quoted in Canterbury by Mr Bevins was correct. He had telegraphed for the price the season would open with this year in Canterbury, but unfortunately had not received a reply. Their lambs were as good within a shilling as those in the South. A matter they would have to pay attention to was the preserving of their ewe lambs, or the couutry would soon be denuded of breeding ewes. He thought the branches should be advised to warn their members not to kill ewe lambs. The Auckland Freezing Company has given the farmers two or three different ways to choose from iu which they could receive payment for their lambs, and if the price went up on what the Company offered at the commencement of the season—as it did last yearhe did not doubt but that the farmers would be satisfied.—Mr Lang said the matter of preserving ewe lambs came before the House during the session, but it could not be dealt with for it was not everyone who could afford to keep all their'ewe lambs. The Canterbury lambs and mutton he believed fetched the top price, bnt he had heard it slated that not nearly all that was shipped from Canterbury was grown there, much of it being imported to get the Canterbury brand.—Ou the. motion of Mr Gillett it was resolved to thank Mr Bevins for the letter. Reports of the Meetings. The Editor of The Waikato Argds wrote suggesting that now the Club had a number of brances, it would be well for the parent Club to publish what was likely to come up for discussion at its meetings. If the Club would furnish the Af.gos with the agenda, correspondence and reports of committees, in time to be circulated before eaeh meeting, the business cnuld be carried ou more rapidly and more satisfactorily than at the present.—The Club cheerfully accepted the suggestion and the President and Secretary will decide what shall be published. —The Editor of the Aegus was thanked for his letter. Election of Delegates to the Auckland Conference.—The following gentlemen were appointed to attend the conference that will be held in Auckland on the 19th instant, at the close nf the Agricultural Show :—Messrs J. Barugh, W. G. Park, E. Reynolds, H. Gillett and J. Gane for the parent Club, Mr Irwin for the Te Awamutu branch, Mr Milne for the Tamahere, aud Mr McDonald for "Waingaro. Many more could have been appointed, but the President pointed out that one of the chief subjects that would come up would be the auctioneer's charges, and it would not be well to send any delegate to Auckland who did not send stock to the Auckland market, and on the other hand it would not look well to send sufficient delegates to make the meeting appear a packed one. Subjects for the Conference.—Mr Forreat said he trusted someone would be able to give the conference information re the growing of gorse for stock. They had heard so many different versions about the matter that he did not know what to believe, and he hoped the eonference would make it clear that growing gorse was a good investment, or that it should be eradicted as a noxious weed. Another subject that he would like brought up was the difference in price of manures in t!.:e north and the south. He had lately seen iu The Farmer where the Government had tried .some of the cheap manure obtained in Wellington against Kempihorn Proaser's high priced manure, and the cheap stuff came out on top. If the Southern manu facturers could make cheap manure why could not the Auckland men do the same '!— The President thought it was a matter that would be better worked through tht Club, but Mr Forrest said

" Don't defer it," so it was decided to {jet all the information necessary from tliß Freezing Companies down South, and bring the matter up at the Conference—Mr Gillett said the high grade manures in Auckland and Wellington were on about the same level, and it was the high grade ones that the farmers of Waikato required. Analysis of Manure.—The President moved : " That the Waikato Farmers' Club would esteem it a great favour and think it would be of great service to the farming community throughout the colony, if Mr Pond (the Government Analyst) would compile a pamphlet on artificial manures and their uses; also dealing with the analysis of manures and giving a full explanation of all terms used iu such analysis. The pamphlet to be short and as explicit as possible, and be written in terms auch as any ordinary farmer can understand. That when the pamphlet is compiled the Agricultural Department be requested to'print and distribute it throughout the colony free of cost. That a deputation be appointed to interview Mr Pond on the subject.—Seconded by Mr Forrest and unanimously agreed to.- It was pointed out that Mr Pond had already been very kind iu giving information re manures, but a pamphlet such as suggested it was considered would be invaluable to the farmers. Stone for Road-making —The President said Mr W.J. Hunter had interviewed him re getting metal to put upon the roads, and if such was obtainable Mr Hunter would like some to put in his Ohanpo yards, fle then moved : That the Waikato Farmers' Club having been requested by Mr W. J. Hunter to use its influence in obtaining a good supply of road metal, think that the Government should be requested to re-open the Taupiri mountain stone quarry and siding for that purpose. That the Waipa County Council be asked to take the initiative and work in conjunction with the Club, local bodies and private individuals to whom it would be of service Mr Gillett seconded the motion.—Mr Barugh said the road that had been made of the Taupiri metal 26 years ago (near that place) was a good one to-day. He was told that the Taupiri stone could be obtained ready broken at about 3s 6(1 per yard. The carriage for 25 miles would be Is 9d per ton, so it could be landed at Ohaupofor about 6s. He noticed Mr Lang hud moved in the matter of getting cheap carriage of gravel during the session, but Mr Ward would not give way.—Mr Forrest said Te Kuiti lime-stone would be better material than the Taupiri stone.—Mr Lang said the Waipa County Council had tried years ago to get it, but the freight killed it. If it could be obtained at a reasonable rate it would undoubtedly be more lasting than anything in the district.—Mr Forrest contended that nothing could be found so suitable for sale yards as the limestone from Te Kuiti, but they would require to be " flagged " with it ; and there were thousauds of tons of it ready to hand for the purpoSe._The motion was then put and carried. [We have to hold over a portion of our