SOUTHLAND LETTER.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7139, 29 August 1888, Page 3

SOUTHLAND LETTER.

[from our cobeespondbkt.] It would seem as though there was always something in this world to be thankful for, such is our case just now, usually we have our share, indeed more than our share of bad weather, but happily for several months we have bad splendid weather, while for the past few weeks it has been simply perfect. The mornings are clear, bright and beautiful. The birds are singing the (trees budding, the grass springing, the land is drying up and the farmers are everywhere busy ploughing, harrowing and sowing; people are asking if it Is spring thus suddenly come upon Uβ. Well, it looks like it, at any rate sufficient for the day, &c The farmers are getting a chance, and a chance for them means a chance for most people in New Zealand, it is true that our staple product is oats, and that oats don't bring much money; but nevertheless it is very clear that with care, economy, and moderate prices for land, farmers can grow oats and live, supplemented, of coarse, by those other aide which the experienced farmer knows so well how to utilise. Sheep and cattle are keeping up well, and are higher than they have been for years, and oats, during the past season have not been doing badly; thus taking everything into consideration, I am fairly entitled to say that so far as this district is concerned the farming outlook is as favourable as anyone could expect. It is not often that the doings of our Parliament become a matter for jubilation; but they have done It this time, knocked the San Francisco service on the head. That's good; we have a first class direct service; let it receive all the encourage-

ment we can afford to giro Its, and thtts give as a chance to get oar dairy and other products to market. We certainly could not send our batter and cheese, or indeed anything else to San Francisco. This district nails with pleasure the coming change, for the benefits will be many, though we moat not be credited with a telegram which has gone from here to the Premier, sent by some persons styling themselves a dairy conference, and asking that in any new arrangements, re direct service, it should be stipulated that the steamers carry cheese at a half-penny, and butter at three farthings per 10, in cool chambers. Some of our people have been holding meetings with the object of Inducing the Union Company to reduce feres to Melbourne and back ; the company promptly declined, Of course to reduco tares would shutttnß out cargo and passengers * he jrtKinm of theStymmeCourt which opened on Monday last have of coarse occupied a good deal ol oar attention. The Sophia Kidd for alleged cattle stealing was thegreatevent. The case having been tried the jury were locked up ail night, failed to agree and were discharged, so we are to have the trial over again on Monday. After the several cases of minor Importance were disposed pf, the case of G. F. De Joux, lato Town Clerk of the munic pality of North Invercarglll, charged with embezzling money of the corporation, was proceeded with. The evidence disclosed that the actual deficiency in the accounts amounted to the sum of £1,319 8s 7d, equal to about three years' rates; and as this municipality owes some five thousand pounds, for which ib is paying seven per cent interest, it has got a nice little load on its back for some years to come at anyrate. Thn accused was found guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy, on account of the very loose way in which the books had been audited, bo you see we are really a kind-hearted people: sentence was deferred till Tuesday. In the meantime we have a famous civil case proceeding, arid a newspaper-is concerned in it, Palmer v. Gore Standard, for alleged libel. Gore is only a small place, but it runs two newspapers. The Standard, the latest start, accused the plaintiff, who is Clerk of the Resident Magistrates Court, of doing some fearful things in connection with an application for a publican's license. The damages claimed are £200, and whichever way it goes the trial will cost somebody some money, for there are two lawyers enfaeed, both of whom are from Dunedin, ut Gore will like it and you may be certain will talk about nothing else for a week. Writing last Christmas I told you Gore had a great future before it, and you neo I was right. MrC. E. Tribe, Manager of the Invercargill branch of the Union Bonk, for the past two years, is leaving to take charge of the Branch at Hobart. Mr Tribe, who came from Kangiora, arrived in troubled times, and running a bank, especially an Invercargill one, is not always a pleasant job. We have wrecked a good many bank managers here and Mr Tribe may congratulate himself in getting away sound injnind and body, and while retaining the confidence of his employers carrying with him the respect of the people he has met. Shipments for the week have been on a moderate scale, in fact that is the only way they can be ; no room, that's the cry now. A few thousand,eacks of oats, some oysters, fish, and a few other odds and ends is all wo have been able to get away. It is with great regret that I have to mention the death of the Hon Dr Menzies, who for so many years represented this district of the colony in the Legislative Council. Dr Menzies was the first superintendent of Southland, and was a just and honourable man, greatly respected by the people of this district; his death wiU be much regretted, and he will be greatly missed, for bis public services were always at the disposal of the people, amongst whom he had lived so long and served ec faithfully ■■