CURRENT TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1765, 19 September 1885, Page 14

CURRENT TOPICS.

Our Tokomairiro correspondent writes : — A good many farmers took advantage of the favourable weather experienced in August to get in their crops, bnt many were afraid of a spate and did not sow a handful. The spate has come, and there has been no sowing done this month yet. What was sown in August is now through the ground, and is generally looking healthy. Turnips have been scarce with Farmers this spring, and in consequence there is a rush of stock into the market, bringing down prices to a very low figure. Lambing is general, but the weather is very unfavourable for young hleaters. Rabbits and small birds, lam happy to sfcate, have got a good thinning, as both took the poison laid for them very freely.

The work of rabbit destruction throughout the infested parts of Viptoria is (says tfye Argus) reported to be progressing steadily, the principal eradicating agent at present employed being bisulphide of carbon. When tho dvy months come round the use of poisoned food of various lands, which proved so successful last season, wiU be resumed, but the extent of '{?tic pperatio'ns carried on will be regulated by the "amount of money available for the purpose. The .officer of the Lands Department entrusted witli. ihe administration of the Rabbit Destruction Ajsp ' has tried several plans, proposed by different persons for the destruction of the rabbits, but the results were not of a satisfactory character. One gentleman provided a substitute for bisulphide of carbon, bat it was.found that the new material was not so effective as the carbon. A communication has been received from a resident in Queensland, ,who states that he has 'invented a p(an, an out-

me of which is only very vaguely indicated, by which the rabbits may be exterminated in two years if about £200,000 is spent in carrying out his directions. He proposes to acquaint the' Government with his secret on the understanding that he shall be paid a bonub of £10,000 and a substantial percentage on the cost of carrying out the scheme. The proposal, which has also been made to the Governments of New South Wales and South Australia, has not been entertained by the Victorian Government.

Mr James M'Donald, of the Waihola lime kilns, has left on a visit to Sydney with the object of opuning up a ira<le with that place in Waihola lime.

The Southland Frozen Meat and Produce Export Company's works at. the Bluff are now ready for use. The buildings are, very extensive, with three largo freezing-rooms and siorage accommodation for 10,000 sheep. One of Haslam's refrigerating machines has boon obtained. It is of 75 horse-hower, and capable of supplying- from .50,000 to 60,000 cubic feet of cold air per hour. The buildings cost £5500, and the machinery from £4000 to £5000. The, silo of the works is near the wharf, and the water used is drawn through pipes from the sea. A railway-siding runs along the loailing-sbo.d connected with the works, and sheep can bo received and despatched with great expedition. The directors of the company have not yet decided when to begin operations, but probably a start will be made ere long. The works were erected by Messrs Philpot and Matheson, from designs by Mr F. Coxon (Chrisfcchurch), Haslam's representative, and all the details have been admirably carried out.

Local breeders of draught stock will find something to interest them in " Warriors letter in our sporting columns this we«k.

The following is the list Qf shippers of frozen meat pur s.s. Doric, for London : — J. Smith, Greenfield, 2049; N.Z. Land Co., Clydevale, 495; J. Douglas, Waimate, 994; S. G. Smith, 142; E. S. Vernon, Wyndham, 228; J. 11. Elder, Kakanui, 250 ; E. Menlove, Oamaru, 630 ; W. Robinson, Tokomairiro.SO; Begg Bros. Balclutha, 405 : M. Dale, 100 ; J. Logan, Tapanui, 302 ; British and N.Z. Mortgage Co., 321 sundry shippers, 165; total, 6531.

The committee of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, at their next meeting will consider the advisability of allowing the appointment of female judges for dairy produce at their forthcoming show.

The Dunstpn Times states that the woolscouring apparatus invented and patented by Mr Frederick Williams, of Spring Vale, will revolutionise the business of wool scouring, as it not only washes the wool, but keeps the staple intact : and, moreover, ono man with one of the machines can more effectually scour a greater quantity of wool than six men can do with any other known appliance. As a great recommendation the machine itself is a light, handy affair, and can bo obtained for a sum quite within the reach of the smallest sheep owner.

A carcass of a sheep frozen in a clear block of ice was recently exhibited in the shop of the Gear Meat Company, Wellington.

At a meeting of parsons interested in the proposed dairy f aotory at Gore, held last week, the Chairman (Mr H. S. Valentine) said their exact position was as follows :—B6l: — 861 shares had been actually applied for, and he was told there was every probability of another 50 coming in without further canvass, so that they were in a very satisfactory financial position. They could float the factory and get the balance of the money from the bank, but he thought it could easily enough be raised amongst the people. Then as to cows. The milk of 231 had been actually promised, and he thought he was justified in saying that a farmer, whose name had not yot been handed in would make up the greater portion of the 169 still required. Everything hinged on the milk supply, but he was now thoroughly hopeful that the factory would be erected, and that benefits direct and indirect would be conferred on farmers and townspeople alike. Before the meeting closed a representative committee was elected, and the chairman announced that 350 cows bad been promised, leaving only 50 to make up the number required. Those, he might say, they were absolutely sure to get from Mr H. M'Lean. A number of gentlemen present had also agreed to increase their share-holding.

The Lyttelton Times reports that things are very busy just now at the Belfast Meat Freezing works. The Kaikoura's cargo of 6200 carcases of mutton has occupied the machinery for some time past ; 4300 are in course of preparation for the Doric, which is to begin loading them on Wednesday, and when these are got rid of, about 8000 sheep have to be frozen for the Tongariro, and will be ready by October 10. After that date work will be suspended, in order to allow the contractor for the additions to the premises to carry out his job.

The cheese factory at Paetaraugi, in the Auckland district, has made,a loss of £50 during the season's work. They gave 3§d per gallon for milk, and the cost of making'it into cheeso was IJd per lb.

New Zealand showed up well at the annual exhibition of the Agricultural Society of New South Wales, held on the 2nd inst. The draught stock was about the best that has ever been shown in the Colony, but several high-class exhibits, the property of Mr Andrew Town, of Richmond, were not present on account of the serious illness of that gentleman. The first prize for heavy draught imported stallion, four years and over, went to Mr J. TrestraiFs, jun., Olan Campbell, by Darnley, from Campbelltown Lily; and the second to Mr M, Power's Montrose, by Lome, from Maggie ; so that both awards were secured by Victoria. The majority of the exhibits in this class are really magnificent animals. The Colonial stallions are equally full of merit; and in the class for stallions, four years and over, Duncan Gray, by Young Vanquisher, from Maggie the Second, the property of Mr P. Mooney, was awarded the first prize ; Mr W. M'Bride, of New Zealand, obtained the second with Champion, by Prince, from Gipsy ; and the third went to New Zealand through Mrs J. Nimmo's Stanley, by Taieri Tom, from Clutha. In Ayrshire cattle New Zealand stock took prizes as follows : — Bull, 3 years and over — James Gemmell (Gladstone), 2nd ; James Gemmell, (imp.), highly commended. Bull, 2 years and under 3 years — Thomas L. Peate (Count), bred by D. Warnock, New Zealand, by Teviot from Dandle, Ist.' Bull, 1 year and under 2 years — Andrew Chrystal (Masher), by Crocus from Sultana, Ist; James Gemmell (Young Champion), bred by owner, sire Champion (imp.), 2nd. Cow, 3 years and over — S. H. Hyam (Annie), 3rd, bred by Hon. M. Holmes, New Zealand, by Sir Redmond, dam sister to Violet, highly commended. Heifer, 2 years and under 3 years— Thomas L. Peate (Ruby), bred by D. Wavnock, New Zealand, by Teviot from Bessie, 2nd. Heifer, 1 year and under 2 years — James Gemmell (Miss Gemmell), bred by the exhibitor, by Perfection from Dandy, Ist; Thomas L. Peate, Maryvale (Primrose), bred by D. Warnock; New Zealand, by Ayrshire Jock

from Jessie, highly commended. The New Zealand Agricultural Company were the only exhibitors iv polled Angus cattle.

land : Ewen Cameron, section 5, block V, Kurow .- John Macaulay, section 18, block XI, Waitahuna West.— Licenses to issue.

TRANSFER OF LICENSE.

An application by George Stewart to transfer his license for deferred-payment section 5, block IV, Gimmerburn, to Alexander Perrier, was granted.

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