SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 73, 26 March 1906, Page 6

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) THE FRUIT INDUSTRY. CHRISTCKURCH, Sunday. A deputation from the Fruitgrowers' Association waited upon the Minister for Lands last night, to urge the establishment of a fruit experimental station, the retention of the present duty on imported fruit, the admission of grapes at Id per )b duty., and nVore careful handling of fruit on the railways. The Minister said it was not possible at present to give growers a Government experimental station. He was in favour of the second and third requests, and would bring the matter of the Handling of fruit before the Minister in charge of the Railway Department. He expressed regret that the present high prices of fruit were due to the middfemen's charges. EGG-LAYING COMPETITION. BLENHEIM, Saturday. . The total for the 47th week of the Kevr Zealand Egg-laying Association is 1271, making the grand aggregate 53,014. and the weekly average per pen 12.71. The highest layings for the week were: Alexandra Poultry Company's white Rocks, =27. Ashworth's silver Wyandottes (Christchurch). 26; Love's silver \Yyandotte~ (Christchurch), 24; Mrs. Edwards' white Rocks (Blenheim), 24. Tho order of the aggregate now runs as follows, the first five pens consisting of white Leghorns: H. Leger (Levin), 1320; Brooks ( South Australia), 1162; Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, 1158: Jonathan Hodson (Blenheim), 1157: Miss Miekshaw (Blenheim), 114t>; "Hockey's bro-wn. Leghorns (XeJson). 1116. The number of competitors now above 1000 is 16. Mr. Brooks has regained second place from the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association. On Wednesday last Mr. Brooks, the Association, and Mr. Hodgson were on the same mark, each being 1152. The running for second place is an exciting contest. MISCELLANEOUS. NAPIER.. Saturday. An action, brought by Henderson Carrick against Horace lan Simson, a claim for damages for assault and insulting language, resulted in a verdict for plaintiff for £20. with costs. GREYMOUTH. Sunday. A seam of coal, 7ft thick, was discovered at Mr. Malcolm Fleming's lease at Stillwater on Saturday morning. It is part of the same deposit as that in the Brunner. Tyneside. Heath, and Wallsend mines, and the coai is reported to pos- ' S'?~..« tiie general characteristics of that \ obtained in those mines. It is estimated that the coa' contents of Fleming's lease is about 1.500.000 tons. .. DUXEDIN, Sunday. " A street collection was taken up on Saturday in aid of St. John Ambulance Association, which has recently undertaken to carry on a district nursing scheme. A total of £ 179 1/7 was reallied. CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. Mr. William Farquarson, farm man-β-ger, at Brookr-ide, dropped dead yeslerday afternoon. The cause of death i» suposed to be heart trouble.