WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2780, 8 May 1890, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Cambridge Branch.

Thk Farmers' Club met at Cambridge on Monday at 7'30 p.m. Present: Messrs Clark (chairman), Fisher. Reynolds, Clark (Taotaoroa), Hyatt, Anderson, F. Gane, Roberts, Wells, J. Gane, Bond, Wallace, Allen, Forrest, Souter, and Caley. The minutes of the previous ordinary ond special meetings were duly confirmed. Nkw Members.—Messrs W. K. Wallace (Pukerimu), and Kirk, senr., (Ohaupo), were elected members of the Club. Tun Tauuasga Frkkzing Scheme.—The Chairman stated he had received a telegram from Mr Jonathan Brown of Tauraugn, asking if the deputation could meet in Auckland on Thursday next, to interview the Bank Directors. It was decided to ascertain if Mr Hean would be in town on that day, and if so, the deputation will wait upon th 9 bank authorities. A letter had also been received from Mr Brown, onclosingthe following from Nelson Brosthers, dated 24th April :—" Sir,—We are in receipt of your favour dated 11th inst. In reply to your questions, some of which are rather difficult to answer on paper, a wether or maiden owe (not merino) in good prime condition, neither too fat fir loan, without blemishes, constitutes first-class mutton. It is impossible to draft mutton for the London market by weight; ifc can only be done by condition and quality. For instance a sheep weighing Go lbs may be too fat, and may bo put in the second class. Likewise a sheep weighing 5b lbs might be too lean, and might be either rejected altogether or be put in second-class ; whereas a 55 11) sheep might be prime first-class mutton. You will understand that the weight will be a very indifferent guide as to the " class" of the mutton. All old ewes or ewes which are not maidens are second-class, and these are drafted fur any too fat or too lean. Limbs require careful drafting. A first-class lamb must be in prime condition, and not too large or old. A lamb may l-.e prime at 42 lbs or seconde'.ass or rejected at 321bs, in ac cordancs with its condition. In reierence to the man who would deliver 500 wethers of mixed sizes ; these would be drafted as above meutioned on their condition and quality. By the word " drafting" used above, we mean principally, drafted when the sheep are dead and dressed. Any stock which on arrival at the yards were manifestly tnfit to be frozen, would not be killed. A sheep farmer would understand what a sheep in " prime condition" would be. Re beef: I am unable at present to give our terms definitely, as no arrangements were mado for shipping beef from Taurangrt ; but we would be able to freeze your beef under a " consolidated rate" covering all charges at probably per lb, (possibly less\ but please understand that this figure and offer is nt definite, fur, as we say above, no arrangements have been made at present for shippingbeef from your port. We are glad to hear that your meeting was so successful, and recognise your difficulty in obtaining the guarantee of the Bank of New Zealand stock, but trust that the visit of your deputation to the directors will be crowned with success and be the means of bringing about the desired effect." The letter was considered satisfactory and gave the information that was required. The farther discussion was left till after the bank directors had been interviewed. Tub B.u; Question'.—The following letter had been received by the Seeret.iry : -Opotiki, April sth, 1890. Sir,—ln reply to your letter of March 7th, re bag question, I have to inform you that a public meeting was held here on march 29th, to discuss the subject, when it was unanimously resolved, that those present pledge themselves to cooper ita with the settlers of your district to try and bring about a change of the system. A committee was then appointed to carry out the wishes of the meeting. The committee held their first meeting on the 3rd inst., when it was resolved to make known to you the result of the previous meeting, and to ask you to furnish what information youcin on the subject; also, if you have as yet approached tho Chamber of Commerce on the subject, and if so, let us have the result of the communication. Lit us know also, if you are in communication with any other districts, and any other information that you can, which might assist us. The committee think it would be wise for yosr Club to communicate with Whakatane and Tauranga, as those districts are very much interested in the matter, ond although neighbouring districts of ours, the committee consider that a communication from your district would command more attention.—l am, etc, Joseph Caurom,, Secretary."—The chairman thought the deputation that were going to Auckland to interview the Bank Directors, should also interview the Agricultural Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, re the bag question.—Mr Forrost thought they should write and sav they intended to bepnid for the bugs. They must hold fast to the ground they had taken. Why should Auckland merchants have the b;igs weighed iu and then charge Gd each for them ?-Mr Anderson thought thu chairman's sug-

pestion was a good one, and proposed a resolution supporting it, which was agreed to. LiMK.— Mr H. E. Hyatt then gave a short lecture on lime and its uses as a manure. It was most interesting, and was illustrated by experiments, but as our space is limited, we will give an account of it in our next week's supplement. At the close of the lecture Mr Hyatt answered several questions on the action of lime upon different soils ; and several members testified that he was correct in his assertions, by experiments they had made. —Mr Forrest asked to have his notice of motion, re devising some means whereby farmers could obtain lime at a cheap rate, adjourned till the next meeting owing to the late hour.—lt was agreed to. Ckukltv or Kindness?—Mγ lorrest drew attention to a notice in Thk Waikato Times of the 3rd instant, re the manner in which cattle wore left in the yards at Hamilton without food or water. He

thought before a local of that nature was admitted by the editor he should first be satisfied that his informant was of sound mind, and that it was really t> cruelty to the cattle. He went on to say that although it might be necessary to supply them with water it was not necessary to supply them with food for one night. Ho trusted the farmers would give expression to their opinions on the subject. Rule 10 was suspended to allow this to be done; Mr Wells objecting, on the pround that one matter had been adjourned, owing to the late hour, and it was therefore ridiculous to suspend the rule to allow another subject to be introduced.—The Chairman said that some time ago he had been blamed in The WμK.vro Ti.mks for tieing up a bullock's head in a railway truck, and if he had not done so the animal would probably have been killed. He thought newspaper correspondents should bo careful to look well into matters before rushing into print.—Mr Fisher did not agree with all that had been said. He thought they should leave the Borough to mind their own affairs.—The Chairman said cattle being left in I he yards mipht be an annoyance to the Hamilton residents, but they wanted the saleyards where they are and should put up with a little annoyance He did not think it was cruel to animals', but it might be cruel to the inhabitants.—The matter was discussed at considerable length, and then the Chairman said sufficient had been said to stop them being proßecuted for cruelty, ,wd the meeting then closed.