The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2695, 19 October 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1889.

RrcFEUKN'CE was briefly made in a former issue of an interesting papor road by Mr F. Hicks at the last meeting of the Wniknto Farmer's Clnb, in Cambridge, in which he dealt with tho frozen moat trade more particularly in relation -with its expansion in tho Waikato. Wo publish tho paper in anothor column, and it will bo found to ropay perusal. Mr Hicks proposes tho erection of freezing works in the Waikato, pointing to the fact, in support of his plan, that similar 'works

have been established in Hawke's Bay at a considerable distance from the seaport, and he proceeds to show that the farmors of this large district could place theiuselvos in a position to guarantee a permanent supply of meat for freezing and shipment to the English market. Furnished with a substantial guarantee for a yearl}' supply of a fixed number of sheep for a period of tlneo years or moro, Messrs Nelson Bros., would, in all probability undertake to orect freezing works iu Waikato. Mr Hicks not only contends that we are quite able to give the necessary guarantee, but also tliat no district is so admirably adapted by Nature for sheep-raising as Waikato. The special feature of this district is tho suitability of its soil for growing turnips all the year round. Out of a total area of 253,000 acres at present in a state of cultivation Waikato had, last year, nearly 13,000 in turnips. Mr Hick's idea is that if tlie whole, or, perhaps, the bulk of the above large area was put in turnips or sown, partially, in grass and turnips, there would bo sufficient pasturage to produce five times the quantity of beef and mutton in the year, more than we do at present. Hawke's Bay is the great sheep country of the North Island, with, its total at the present time of over two and-a-lialf millions of sheep. Besides exporting more than half-a-million last year, Hawke's Bay supplied the largo demands of Auckland, and other neighbouring provinces. Hawke's Bay is also subject to the risk of prolonged seasons of dry weather, in the course of the year, Trhich are severely felt by flockowners. If, therefore, there was ample pasturage in Waikato for carrying largo flocks, the sheepowners of Hawke's Bay would be glad to find an unlimited market here, wliere they could immediately dispose of their surplus supplies. It seems to us that tho new light in which Mr Hicks discussed the subject, opens up a prospect of great possibilities for tho Waikato, The frozen meat trade of New Zealand has become, next to wool, its most important staple industry. It has merged beyond the regions of doubt and speculation, and can be accepted as being on a firm, permanent basis with a vast future before it. All our people who are engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits must devote their closest attention to its development, and our Waikato farmers must not be less alive to their own interests in the matter than their conjrcre.s in the rest of the colony. Tliey must be active in promoting what is of such great consequence to them, and if they continue in the spirit they have been displaying at the meetings of the Farmers' Club, we may augur well for what they will yet do in this and other kindred pursuits. As Mr Hicks has argued the matter the conclusion to be arrived at is, that it rests with the farmers of Waikato, Piako and Waipa to largely increase their area of turnip and grass lands to a capacity for carrying sheep in numbers sufficient to warrant the erection of freezing

works here, and, thereby, maintaining a regular export of frozen meat from this district. If this is done, we agree with Mr Hicks that it would stimulate settlement here, enhance the value of our lands, and give the Waikato a new lease of vigorous life. Here we are reminded ®f another subject, which can be spoken of correlatively with the foregoing. It would, in our opinion, greatly help the object Mr Hicks has touched u[*i and encourage the pastoralists, generally, if the Club would' take steps to promote the establishment of annual pistoral and agricultural shows, which are common to fanning districts in this and other countries, We have before pointed out how far behind other districts we are in this respect, and have advocated the formation of an Association designed for that purpose. It would not be too ambitious a scheme for the Club itself to undertake, for it is quite within the functions of its constitution to enter upon any action that will tend to advance the interests of the farmers. The work could be entrusted to a committee specially appointed for the purpose, and composed of members qualified by experience and ability to carry it out. Shows not only furnish evidence of the quality of the stock produced in any particular district, but also offer ample testimony to the country's adaptability for stock-raising, and would impress on the minds of strangers visiting them, the advantages and resources of the district. Directly and indirectly, annual shows in \Vaikato would give material assistance to the main question of the frozen moat industry, which it is sought to promote.