WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2992, 17 September 1891, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Thk Cambridge meeting of the above club was held in tho club-room on Monday evening, when there were present: Messrs .(no. Fisher (chairman), R. Reynolds, G. E. Clark, 10. Allen. J. Forrest, H. R. Hvatt, T. Hicks, W. Vosper, C. Roberts, C. Bull, 15. Garland, W. Gray, .T. Sharp, L. Edson, T. Wells, .T. R. S. Richardson, R. Watson, E. Hewitt, W. G. l'ark, J. Fisher, jun., IT. Rhodes, W. Wallace,Thornton Walker, C. Hunter, Burn Murdock, J. Ferguson, R. Crickett, H. Clark, H. Ferguson, R. Fisher, and R. Caley. Mr Henry Reynolds was also present by special invitation. Nkw Mkmukus.—Messrs T. Wise, of Tauwharo, and J. Gordon, of Keroone, wore elected members of the Club; tho latter waj present. A National Association.—Mr R. 15. Willis, the president of the Ellesinero Agricultural and Pastoral Association, forwarded a circular re the funning of a National Association to protect agricultural and pastoral interests.—The Chairman thought it a subject that should receive their careful attention.—Mr Clark moved that the matter be discussed at the next meeting, and that the members be notified through the press.—Seconded by the Chairman and agreed to. I'amfhlkth, Etc.—Mr E. B. Walker, of Moanavale, had forwarded a number of pamphlets relating to land and farming for the use of the members. Thev were laid upon the table, and Mr Walker was thanked for sending them. Exvoiir OF Pkoduck.—The Chairman said he had been discussing tho export trade with Mr W. E, Meadway, of Pateraugi, when at Ohaupo last week; and subsequently that gentleman had forwarded him a letter and circular that would prove of interest to them. The letter was as follows : " On returning home this evening (August 18th), 1 found that Messrs Fitter and Sons had forwarded ine report of day's prices for June "Jlith. Herewith I enclose ono to you to supplement their circular which I hauded to you to-day. The report is interesting, as tthowiug the place New Zealand mutton obtains on the Loudon market. As you will notice, it takes the load of all other frozen mutton from whatever part of the world it may be sent. Continental meat is not frozen, as thoy are able to place it on the market almost as soon as that from any part of Great Britain and Ireland. \Vith regard to the beef, I think if senders were as particular as the Americans are to send only the first quality, their consignments would compete with any sent by the latter. Any information I am able to give with regard to tho firm I shall be most happy to forward you. Fitter and .Sons are well known for their integrity, and I myself have practically tested it."—Mr Henry Reynolds endorsed tho sentiments of Mr Meadway regarding the firm mentioned.- - Mr Meadway was thanked for his comcomunicatiou.—Messrs Fitter and Sons had also furuished the Club with their price list, etc. Thk Carriage oi'Sheki' uy Raii..—ln accordance with notice of motion given, Air R. Reynolds moved : " That the Railway Commissioners be asked to reduce the freightage on sheep sont by rail." Ho had hoped that someonn moro interested in tho matter than himself would have taken it up. When the farmers interviewed Mr Hudson, tho I)istritt Railway Manager, lately, they asked why more was charged for a truck of sheep than for a truck of cattle, and tho reply was that tlm trucks cost more. It was pointed nut that tlm wnar and tear was not uoarly as much as with cattle—lie did not believe it was a luartor as much—bur. tho matter was allowol to drop, and it was needless to say no reduction had been made. Ho doubted the statement as to tho coat of the trucks, and ho was woll informed that the draught of a sheop truck was two tons loss than a cattle truck, and yet they were charged

more for it. He suggested that thu various districts should appoint a committed to represent the whole of and interview the Railway Commissionersro settlers grievances ; for a littlo time since a Hamilton man, when asked by the railway authorities if more cattle would be sent by rail if the charge was reduced, hail replied lie not think so. Tho answer was an absurd one, an reduced freightage by rail would atop cattlo being driven by road. He very much doubted if the individual who gave tho reply had ever sent a truck of cattlo to Auckland, nnd yet ho was allowed to be sponsor for tho farmers, and lie (tho speakor) was afraid the foolish renly given had done them an injury. He moved that tho club communicate with the railway authorities and endeavour tr> got tho charge on sheep forwarded by rail reduced. —Tho motion was seconded by Mr Clark, who stated that Mr Hudson had said the present was a had time to ask for a reduction on sheep, as they were now fetching a good price, one of his arguments being that the auctioneers got as much in live minutes for selling, etc., as the railway received for carrying; but Mr Hudson apparently forgot that tho farmers had to pay just as much when sheep were only worth half as much as at present. The exponsps were far too high, the charges upon 120 sheep that realised £103 being close on £11. Ho understood the Railway Commissioners would be in Waikato after the session, and tho club should then interview them on the question.—Mr T. Walker said ho had paid £5 ltis raihvav charges on 120 sheep that only fetched £-13: but that was some time since.—Mr Wells thought it would be well to give the Commissioners a few facts in writing previous to interviewing them, or the matter would lie sure to be Bhunted.—The Chairman stated the average weights of cattlo and sheep were, respoc tively, fi,4oolhs and 3.f!oolbs, and yet they were charged more for the latter.—The motion was then put and agreed to. Statistics.—Mr H. li. Hyatt, in accordance with notice given, moved, "That in futuro tho statistic forms issued by tho club be collected by enumerators, in a similar manner to the census papers." Ho stated he should bo glad to act as enumerator for the West side of the Waikito River if someone else would take the ICast side.—Mr Clark seconded tho motion. He often obtained useful information where ho least expected to lind it, and if the papers were collected in tho manner suggested by Mr Hyatt, the farmers would not, forget to fill them up. Ho did not believe, there was any orthodox system of farming applicable to New Zealand, for there ware no two seasons alike ; but by tho help of the.so statistics they might glean a great quantity of information that would prove of enormous information to them. —Mr Hartly undertook to collect tho papers on the .East side of the river, and reminded the settlers that he represented Tub Waikato Times, which was essentially a farmer's paper, and that he should expect to do a little business when he called upon them for the statistical forms.—The motion was then carried. Mil He.vhy Rkynoi.iis.—The Chairman said Mr Reynolds had kindly offered to give any information that lay in his power as to the best method «f disposing of New Zoaland prnducc in England. —Mr Reynolds suggested that tho club should go into committee ; they could then talk in a, friendly way. lie should be glad to answer any questions, and lie thought more information could be gathered that way. Ho said thu dairying business had been pretty well thrashed out, and had appeared in print; however, if there was anything in connection with that or any other subject that he could enlighten them upon, ho should bo glad to do so.—The club then went into committee.—Tho Chaitmun said he noticed from the prices given in Fitter and Son's circular that although New Zealand mutton topped the list of frozen meat, it was, nevertheless, quoted at half the prico of the best Scotch mutton.—Mr Reynolds said that Fitter and Sons' were one of the few who had helped to bring New Zealand mutton to the front; indeed they had encouraged the trade more than anyone, and they wore anxious to trade direct with tho consumer, who ho believed could draw against produce sent to tho firm. They were, as far as he knew, tho only firm who had had the courage to stick up a sign that tliov sold Now Zealand mutton. The firm of Reynolds and Co. were going quietly into the business, and he should be at the other ond to do the best possible for those who forwarded produce to them, and also for the firm, and he should be glad to give full information on any matters that his friends cared to enquire about.—Mr Calev : How does New Zealani beef look when it arrives in England?—Mr Reynolds: White and flabby, as if all the sap had gone out of it. I see there is a talk of sending some with the hide on to find out if that will] remedy the defect. The mutton is very good, especially if carefully thawed out. A Mr Perkins, of Regent's Park, had a 13 months old wether that had been frozen for 12 months, and after it had been thawed out, an experienced butcher was asked how old he thought it was, and he replied about 1-1 months. That carcase had boon two days thawing in an air-tight chamber and came out as fresh and good as the day it was first frozen.—Mr Richardson : Can tho purchaser tell if it is New Zealand mutton?— Mr Reynolds: No ! It is impossible to mark every joint.—Mr Clark : What breed of sheep suits the English market best? The Southdown used to be the popular breed, but when the cotton famine came on, mutton gave place to wool and Lincolns came to the front. If IJOlb is the weight required in England, it is no use our breed ing a GOlb sheep that is a foot longer than one of the same weight in the Old Country ; we must have a compact animal that will compete with the Southdown.—Mr R: The Southdown is the sheep, pur excellence, for the London Market, and that is whero the best price is obtained. I don't wish to run down Lincolns. We have all been Lincoln men ; but you have asked me, and I have told you what I know is true. It is the frozen mutton that lias saved tho country, and I trust it will continue to make New Zealand go ahead and Waikato in particular. Nothing has ever advertised this country half as much as frozen mutton. Vou cannot imagine the ignorance of tli3 majority of the English people regarding New Zealand. Some of them think it is an island somewhore oif the coast of Australia, while some think it is near California; but, thanks to New Zealand produce, people are now beginning to enquire further as to whero and what sort of a country Now Zealand is. The English farmers do not like us sending inuttuu, as it tends to reduce the price of the Home article, and when I told them of the quantity we can send, they said New Zealand must bo a wonderful country. I told them if they thought we had hold of the beat end of the stick they had better come out and join us ; and I believe many of them would do so if they could get rid of their farms in tho Old Country.—Mr J. R. S. Richardson thought the flavour of Scotch mutton was more " gamey " thau that from New Zealand. The sheep had to run a good distance over the moors to get a meal. —Mr T. Walker Baid it would pay the farmers of Waikato to keep their lambs for the fire sent instead of freezing tliein. They would then get flocks of good-mouthed sheep instead of a lot of "guinmys," of which the district is full at the present time.—Mr Reynolds said that tho sheep to seud to Enelaud was a very ditferent animal to what suited tho local market. Six years ago farmers went in for black-faced sheep for freezing; but the returns were so had, and wool went up, so they went in for Lincolns again. You could not get a Lincoln sheep less than 701bs, and that was too big for the English market. We must reserve the remaining portion of this interesting discussion for next issue.