FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 618, 22 September 1909, Page 10

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

'■: : trtoSWe3^'VThe,Schcdule;generaUy:is;arTanj?ed ! :; ' witha cafe for th« -convenience of the exhibi-, .tors; ; that ;does ; great credit to .the, secretary,: '; '"■■■' Mr. ■Ch'.arlesvDpuglas, and his committee.;,!, .„ '.'■?■. ■:■Entries'-.close''on'- October-6, : ; and.ihS'Vshow .'■" -■■■■: dates are^October.:2o and.2l.'; ■■';■• .■■.•:.

NEWS AND NOTES.

HAWKE'S BAY SHOW.

jf:-.-(.. % % GOOD: PKIZEJJST. : , v'(■•■;" for' the .popular Hawke's Bay ■''',-■ jhow- nt: ; Hastihgs,' ; to .be. held on , Wednesday i; ' :: ':: iiid ; Thursday,' October.2o and 21, are well stud | stack at this "C-show afe-heldto be : among the stifiest competi-i-tiohs'inVtho and . most breeders. : : / rwithin convenient.reach, like, to be'represented • : '\ v thero. •On :th'is : - acco ant the 'announcement of. : : :'' : :? : 'BpeciaL facilities for -the of stock' will .:-'?'be'' received; with 'satisfaction...'Hitherto'.; any- ' • ; : '- etock from: ]?eildihg—and- there have been many •' ■ ■' '■:■ competitors , from that, .district-has ■■- had/ to Hastings at - about 10 o'clock at night— ;:-';Van inconvenient hour. 1 The Hastings autnon- - ' -:■■ ties have' been aware for. some - years past 'that ;''•.■-this lato-arrival of stock constituted a serious ! 'j ; ''> : inconvenibnce.to bxhibitors, but tl\eir.atteiupto; ■;':''-':to' secure a .remedy': had hitherto been', fruit- ;'..;''. loss.- ,-The improved .facilities .this..-year ..no ?"'.- *' doubt'corisiderably .increase the. distant entries.; '=■'■"'.--The .arrangements "comprise .the' running 'of a - ; ' •' : special' train :from I'eiluing: to; convey stock on-::-VV- J .:the: day before the show.to reach. Hastings:in:,i-: -daylight". ;': Entries, close on ' Wednesday,:.Octo : '-'.'•.v. :! -ber 6." ■'■'•'."■■'. ■;.:. ■■':'.:■■-■■::■■ '■■■'■' ■•'■■'.'■■■■':' '-.; ' .The show-is;-fortunate.in the;matter of spei ' eial prizes, the' list of .which fills- seven pages ',-•. /of the schedule.':; Chief among'them are prizes "'. ; of-the /.following-valuo .from. : .the\ donors ■'.' '■•■"■ named >6. guineas'.for.. polo. •'£'■ '"pony; Messrs. 1 Borthwich, 10 guineas for,freez-; -'" C: lngiwethers;Mir; Hugh' Campbell, G guineas.for ! and yearling draughts; Mr; A._S. ,G. .'■■ ''Carlyon,'.'^-for ..Angus bul!s;:Mr. B.;Cham:'r '.'bers.S'gniheas-foT. cobs'nnd 5 guineas for ponyj i-. ■" U entire;'.-Mr; 'J., H. Coleman, 10 guineas fof '.'.''.'weight-carrying'hack, 5 gnineas for pony, and .i;' '6 guineas for poWdored butter; Messrs. Dalgety,. V''- -6 guineas .for, Shropshires;: Mr/ G. P. Donnelly, I '■:. v:-..-20-guinea'Silver. ..■i'.-' prize) fbr,:weight-cirry^g;-hacfe J 2*;gu.ineas.for: ■■>'-■■•■ lady's hack fop:crossbred. K :; X'dairy cowi ; Mr.iD. Fleming;.; (Waverley), 5;'."::guinea goldi' ; medal .for..herdman entering ■Jsrx' ■:'■:- : 'or more ;Shorthbrns in best, condition; ;■"• Mn ;a;- ':■',Henry Gaisfbrd, 5 'guineas"for.'cKa,mpion groups , ; .;.- ; of: Shorthornsi. Mr; -J,n::W^.Har.ding; ] . for '■:■-*'■"-■ highest',aggregate score-HnVpufebred dairy cat- , t*' : - tie, 5-guiuea" silver; trbpliieV-'fofc.silver Wyan-' ":';dottes ■ and;X blacks Orpingtons;; /Herotaunga. ''''--: -Dairy .Company, 5 guineas for butter-fat, con- :'-:' ''■ :■' test; Mr.'fG.'..Hunter, ,5 guineas. for. pony• leap-, '"' ■'":ing;'Mri-P.' i HiintoriSes.for hack:;and;s;guin-: S'-Wieas ■hacksi(astride); : ;>Mr. Sydney,; ■•;Johnston/-'lO guirieas v ;iori';Ebmtiey \'ram ?hpg-: : ;'r-:gets;• Messrs:' : levin .and .C0.,^5 .guineas for. ,'-.H shearing-Mr. and-Mrs.:T.'H.;LbwrJ, r: l3.gmr. r '" "■.: eas' for;:'.hunting' horses; .'Messrs. ■ MTJougall '■- i-'Bros.;, priaes' of-, sheep, dip. for -.crossbreds,• ,.■ Bros.; £&' for native: mdus- ■:'-::: ("tries; iit'.'W-' C. r A. M'Konzie, 5 guineas for : ■':. : : mostpoihtß':.in Bomneys; Mr. Douglas M'Lean, :' ; :';: 8' guineasHfor Lincoln • owo;hoggets;;; Messifs. ':'-■' Murray'j'Hßoberts: and ;Co., ,sgumeas for_long- ■■ V woolled crossbred '■■ bwo hoggets; Messrs. Nelson. ..- ;: ' Bros.;- Si'guinens: for' most, .points .in-(Border ; -■•'': .'-LeicesterS,<;s, , guinca3 for most points.m.South- ■.; fe' downs, thfee: prizes of, .£3 :10s..each ;ibr.,Sop.th■;i' ■." fain/hogget,, ewe hogget,-and ;e'w.e,'-and a, 1 '■''.'•' ''3, -andi2*-giiineas for'-.:' down.' cross, freezing '$i&.^^ limb's; iLbarrrandMercantile; Agdncy'Company, :.■'' 5 guihea'S'i'fbi' farmers'-sheep and lambs; North, : >''' --'Jsland Shiqpbreeders' •: Association,: : champion; ■■- ■-'• '•'silver:shield for. Border .Leicester ram; Mr. "'•' lK>wry:W.':Nbrth",i:B for;.harness horse; Hon. K'""'- ;j.'- / D.' , CTmbnd, : s;guiiieas .for. ,'■ thoroughbred • - ; - : yearling ; colt;'Messrs.;Quibell Bros., 10-guinea '.::•;-■ silver: biiii■•'for ■ unshbrn freezing sheep;,; Sir ''''.';'-'William?rEussell,-' : 5-guinea.. gold ■:medal ..for ■ : :. : . champ'ionlhiick; Messrs.- St. Hill 8r05.,.-% for fW medium-weight hacks; Mr. W. : Shrimpton-10. : ■■"/- ■■' "for ? lady's ihack ' (side-saddle); -Messrs. >'. "'-Smith Brt3?.' 5 guineas.for. Shorthorniheifors; : : ' ; ■;':-!lIr«' &;;L;^Sunderland,'•. 5 .'guineas_for ..pomes; -' :'' Mr:' T.'•Tanner,: 5 guineas .for- Lincoln rams;. .^'-Mr.-P.-'S.V'WaterhbHse,'.s guineas for ponies; :'.':':■ Mr.E.'-'f. ''-Watt, *£&■ for:grade dairy >-''." cow - an(i;(s;;guineas'. for'." turning/ competition; : .T. : 'Messrs.'' Wenley:,and Lanauze, •; 5 .guineas'for ■f-& fat;sheep;'ftMr.'; T. .E.:, Whclch,. 5-guine'a gold: -:■:■■ : medal ;for'rchampion harness horse; Mr; A. M. i -' r ';William's;is*guineas for-most points m Lincoln .v:<;--"sucep;-H,r.WaH. ! '.Williams, £&.iov hunters, mx admbetittdfilpuincpf or •■:■:-.': ; 'brerfbeef'caSlei'an'd^'gilineas.'foklisutiTvpißht; : -?' guineas - ;.:-;''for-Lincoln iam'fhoggets'; Wblseley;Sheep-Shear-: ..';'-';:ing Machine bowl. "v- : ' : for freezing" 'wethers, -to be machine-shorn..-.. . •''.':•.-'--The Hawke's Bay A;.and P. Association will. ! -.': 'award championships '&■ ■■:'".Thoroughbred sire and' iVS.- mare; best;:hack; ; Shorthorn bull and. cow;. ':.:'; Hereford'.bull and' cow;: Polled - Ar,gus v bull>nd '' cow; ','Ayr'sUrb.bull-and cow;; Jersey buu': and, :■' ■;■'.'cow;'Bblstoiia buH'.'and cow; for.ram.iind ewe- '&& -in Xincolns,'.Border., and .English,.Leicesters, ;: '■ ■"■.Eomnoysi:.Merinos,,:Shropshires,,:land ,South'V; downs;.and. for boar and/sow-in Berksnires, .;-:: : .; and ; ,''any, other .:':,: : '-v. variety .'■',''-'.'-'.' ;; ;'' ;: .: ;'■..- ;■ ■'"'-■.', ■:",,." •;;:"■•';.:':.-;TherejMl. be:'some. keen, fights, for;' those'

SHEEP FOR OREGON.

'l'f : , 'V -fi'M eipdells; sAT. ; H; ; : - .^X-^Ar';; A:"CBEDITi TO THE BEEiED,".; '■ i'::; r ' ;; V ' Mr. : David ~ Evans, the wall-known -• sheep ;; --' specialist,- has given .permission to pnblish the - : ;/'" following 'letter -from Mr.. William : Biddell, of -.' '-Oregon. .• The Eiddells, it will be remembered, were the'purchasers of a'number of 'apeoially '.'■C'eereoted. stud J Eomney'sheep- from,; Mr.. E.- '• : i Short, '■aid: a :Lincolu: -ram ' 0f.., Mr. ■'-■Perry s ■'' ; '!' : ! 6rraiii;i>'Mr.- David Evans, .who was recently ;-■ -6tud ; 'shepherd;to the New: Zealand Govern-. ■ ';'.'ment,had;the.privilege of": negotiating the :'v - deal, which is regarded as probably, the ..tore. ;'.'luniier. of an important/stud, shcep.j.trade \Vtta ■ ■America.pMrv; Evans ."eipiiesses; his gr.eat.',de- ':■:■'"''■- .'-light -' : at='-the - successful.arrival .-of i tiie.'jsheep 'L,-" J flfter,srich':a' trying voyage, and;:alsd v at."tthe ■ ; Si 'Biddells'fglowitigoriticism.lof them.:. Mr.-Bid-.i:w;, dellVletkry ,a9:follo*s:ri-:; :; s';/..' ;!;';' :.;•;.;>. . ' r :";'?'. '.■•':■:,■;■ ■':■ •'.-■.;. : .''Monm'outh.sOrtgon,..'.-'; ':■'■■ :; ; .V'/:;^''. : ■ : . , 'July' 15,. .IPO9. ''• ■ ■-"Dear- Mr. .Evans,—l am:very pleased with '-' .the sheep.-,They'v stood the voyage, well, and '' arrived.ym ; good .shape, every thing considered. ;.-■■': : .> Everyone*' Who has examined them . are much. Vi"- ; :-''--takenV-iteith. : the^ ; . : 'andr..r v >i}pevjjy,.;tov^ave > ";:'; the foundation for:ia'sflock-.'.of»E6mnej's.;Vtiiaf>, ,' ■r.Vwi'li be accredit.;to.'.'tfie-7bre^af^^'7p'": l " ,i '' , -;""^ ! '' ■ •'.' ■•;■!■.■■' "I have': had: deal of. fussing, around A:' .to get: the sheep, .through-at 'this;cnd. Al-:,-v though I.had no cable saying that they .were "■'■'■' ■ •:' shipped, -I decided to.go. to,' Canada .to seo. how ;■})' •;■ I would havo to'arrange things, there. .1 found ■''•'.■■':•' that it; was 'possible ■to avoid .the quarantine" if j !■:.. 'I managed:-justvtight, so I had'things fixed ,-; ,■ .'to: bring':them ty I'acoma when, they arrived '■■V.-;. on:the Abrangi..*- At Tacoma I.got/.along well '■■■'":. -enough until I tad. them all ready' in the car r r. ;, to\leave-in-tbree or four hours,: when I got ■:::'-.'notice that the isheop must be .overlooked by ; 'the/United States, inspector, and ~were liable -.-, - ;'-■:■;.to a fourteen dai's' quarantine. After a'good :..'"- deal.'of- arguings,and, discussion,. I finally got :':•-•. .-■ ont .of this, and; proceeded'ori'my'way Home, ■'■ . \paying ,a; duty, of Idol.' 50c. per head on the. .'•.'•'■[.-sheep,. '$'-:■■'';.■:■ f. ::>-\..;\ ■ ■'■ ■■ ;■'■■.■';.■.. . ~; ':'■.■'■■■ .-'-We■ are Avery*much 'pleased with, the , two ■ V .-> rains.. The Lincoln is not as largo,as l my own; .- but. the: fleece Ms very ! much better than" any- ; '■': thing;we'ihad,:and he is a bettor built sheep.in every.wdy.-. I .thank you and Mr. Short for, the ;.•': .trouble'and'interest you took in getting him •:.■.,: for me../,The.Eomhey is certainly a vast im•l... proVement. oyer the English ram I had,','and I >;'': V.may,be able to get some better lambs by him ■ : '/l'.','•'•■•from my '■ old stock. They: have not' done well ;.:''.'■: at all;" nearly: all of .the lambs still persist in .'.'being rams.. And what ewes I have raised . .- have -beo'n : rather narrow-chested and 6iiay- ::'• y' backed liko the old ram., .-''■• v :,;,,.,. .''.../'Sheep;are rather, low in price'this* summer : ". : op. account of ft scarcity of feed due to*tho ;:;-'■/ cold, dry'summer, but welook for an improvement soon! Wool-is worth'2s cents por ■:'•:'. pound. ..'We shipped ours to Chicago, but, have .■■'•■'.■■ not yet,got retai'ris"for. : 'it.—Very lincerely '. "■•. yours/ ; y : . ■~,...,..-.„.;.., •••••- ■■■■.■; >-•..■ ■. : ■:■ ■":;.', ■.;■"■'.'-*.■ "WM. EIDDELL, JTJN/*:

DEPARTMENTAL NOTES.

■'?■'. : Kirk, P.L.S. (New Zealand State ..--, Horticulturist), is due to arrive back in Wel- .,:• : ; .'lington from liis tour, hi Australia by" the : '. : : Moerakr;to-day.; '■■~ .•',','.":■;; J, :; .' : -j ,•■',';' T .;..',;;.'i!:.., .:;': ; 'JIr. .John Shepherd; recently a - Government j. : r! rabbit agent at ;Matamata, has.been appointed' ■.'•.- : . manager, of ike AVaeronga Experiment ;l?arm in '.'■ <Waikatoi- Waerengii's.chief feature" is •'ita-'em-'■'.'.bryo ■ commercial orchards,;'its', vineyards,' and :'"::'/ it's, poor '.soils. Mr.: .Shepherd had fanningox- ■ . perience years ago in Scotland, nnd has Binee .'•''. '.'■■'• "farme,cl: for six. years in Australia and four ;•', years in New Zealand. Just before his ap- ''.'■ ■'"•' '.'pointment asrabbitfcagent.'-he.was.'snpervisor ''""■; of outdoor work at i:Seaclif£-Mental; Hospital. ,'.•; i- Mr. Shepherd took charge at .Waerenga as from ;.'s- ; .' ; .Boptember.!."'■:•;:.'•;•.■■■•';■ ;

NEW ZEALAND ROMNEYS.

' 'VERSUS-ENGLISH CHAMPIONS. At the Royal Show, Melbourne, just held, Mr. A. E. T. Payne, of Victoria,: made a big attompt to carry off the. championships. At Master-ton, in February, 1909, he had purchased Mr. Charles. Kles's 1908 unbeaton .English "Koy'al" winner; and the same breeder's best i-tooth imported.ram, but was beaten by Mr. V. H. Yeliand, of Newlyn, Victoria; with his 4-tooth rain "Nowbold," bred by Mr.-Ernest Short, of Parorangi. This ram made a clean sweep, taking 1 first and. champiQh, also the five-guinea special, and the ten-guinea special given by Messrs. Best and Sons for champion of the various breeds. Mr. Tonkin secured second anil third awards in this class; Mr. Payne's imported ram was placed fourth, his English champion being unplaced. (At the last Palmerston North Show Mr. Short took first prize with "Nowbold".in the single ram hoggel; class.) In .the Romney ewe classes a good many imported English sheep were exhibited, with the result that the championship, and, first.-and second .'prizes,- were divided amongst the New Zealand-bred- owes exhibited by Mr. TeUh'nd, these purchased from the flocks of Mr. Reid, of Ederslie, and Mr; Short, of. Parorangi.-■'.'.''-..■'..'-.

. STOCK RUAPEHU. ,' v . ' The live stock brought out from England by thevßuapehiv which arrived' atl ■Wellington yesterday, consisted of five stud Roiuney rams consigned to Mr. W. Telford, of Dunedin, one Tjl'nck. and- white collie dog and one-black .and ta'ii'collie bitch consigned to Mr. EBenozer Hay, of Annandalo, Pigeon Bay, Canterbury, GENERAL NOTES.-

Mr.. W.'Perry, 'o£ "Penrose," has shipped, per s.S. Paparoa, five stud Lincoln rams to the 'fir&ii'.-i? ; ai'vArgentine• buypr.-'-. .yv. ,', 'VThe Car'terton-an"d : .Lower .Valley farmers are tendering a dinner "to Mr. J. B.Moodie, manager for.Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Mastertpn, in honour of the.occasion of his approaching marriage.' ... .V.: . > '' ... '' In reply to a query by the. secretary of the Ekettthuna Farmers' Union, one member who attended the first lesson in Wool classing stated (says the"Eketahuna Express") that the;one lesson was worth the money paid for the'series of six, and if he did not attend another lesson he'would consider the money, well expended. iTfie'/size of>the..class-,will >bo ■ augmented at 'therneit"lessdn/.seTeral having intimated; a ' wish' '■• to- ■' joillr : i '■•; j ' •■■ ■'.-" ■■. ''■■ >:.-'■ " , : '. : ;

':' itV is reported that a .Tnranfllri' batter output has been sold .in New Plymouth at IOJd. This, if thie, is a , distinct;advance, and .indicates 'that.-bnyers have reached a lovel ithere business can;be';dpne.. V .■...':'..;'■•;-;?■*.' ■ ■ ■■'iltiiii feverViis'.'.rather ■ prevalent.'' anions' tho dairy herds; jnsf '.* now / (saysY. the "Pahiatua. Herald"). /Usually this trouble-.is moro .pronounced during the height'of.the season. Some eight cows have been treated bo,'farby Mr.H; Taylor, r-Teterinary , .,surgeon,-with .only., ono fatality," ..:'.' "/ ■/■ .'\.'.\i\ .-■.■'■■,',■ ■ *. *;;... ■', Qb'itnary.—Mr. ,J.. Kittow. the' proprietor, of Glentui Station, Patangata (Hawko's Bay); died on Wednesday last.- Mr. Edwin Eeiller, a wellknown Bulls runh'oldcr, died last week,' aged .forty-eight.^ , ; :'..',•',;, ; '•}■■■'■.. ', '^Mr.'Dave Ogilvy, of' Kapnni, has' been .'appointed from "among .thirte'en- applicants to , succeed Mr. C. Stevenson as 'factory, manager t at.; Cardiff.-. .'.-!.■.- , .'.;'.■■. .V.' \ ■/':'-:'■.■ ■ Mr. : R'-M." Grayling, .the contractor for.'the efeotion. of the Warea Cheese Factory, is .hearing, the end of 'his'«-ork. Me concrete .floors are .finished, both ,iii,the vat and curing rooms', and- the creamery is-just as far advanced. ' .;■;'.; ■. Messrs. Turner and Beadle hare nearlyjx>iri-, pleted : their; , contract of. bridging _ the Warea and Waiweranui Kivers on : .the'-Carrington Eoad.' '■'.'.::■_ '■-;:■.. '.* : ,". :'. .- : t : /'/ . . : ,Mr; ; .K. 'Eikolaison's butter factory atVOr; inondville, which has during tho winter months been practically reconstructed, is noiv, a most-up-to-date establishment. A combined churn and; bettor Hot yet to hand, is Ito bo in; }WoZ:s ; tf- : -,&.F, :r',;, ■'■:; \r-jZih;;:S '• i The : : direct6rs of, the : Wellingtoit. -'-Farmers'-Co-operative Freezing Company are to discuss to-day; -for.:.the:.proposed works.' ! -It is expected they will'choose" two sites/ to Submit -.to, a ballot. of. shareholders. Indications'point to Waingawa and.Tyoodside sites being the two'to bo bnllotdd on. Of course, there'(ire many other rumours, however. : A writer: in the .'Wairarapa ."Standard, •- advocat--ing the Pigeon Bush site, states.that sometime ago'two property owners, at Pigeon Bush .were approached' Dy.one of ; .the leading nieat companies in Wellington' with a view to securing, a site in Wairarapa for their works, but unfortunately .the parties concerned could-not* .come to,'terms, and: the industrywas thus lost to ..the district.. -.The fact! that .the.'directors of.tliat company , , who are shrewd,'capable, and exDerienced men, should choose this place above alf, the other sites in Wairarapa must go (the '.correspondent: -to. indicate •. that Pigeon-Bush'is the ideal-site. A site of 20 acres .there "is'. : offered;'ns a fre,o gift,-in adr dition to.:which Itr.'Tocker has offered to take by way of part-payment for any extra ground required'int.-least .£SOO worth' of-shares. , It. may-possibly :be said; (the correspondent continues): that, there 1 will be a danger, in years to come,-of the Government deciding to deviate the railway line,, and: that it will, traverse from '■ Woodside: '. up the . Tauhorinikdu Valley. Agninst this,' let me,say that Inm given to understand thatwhat is agitating the minds of those in.', authority at. the present time is not; the deviation-of the'line so far as Woodside is.concerned, but. the practicability of, tunnel-, ling the hill at a point between Cross Creek ami the Summit, thus obviating the. necessity, for that steep and.expensive , climb to the SumI mit. The tunnel, I understand, would not be nearly''such,/a big undertaking as the Otira J tunnel."'Not, only,would such a tunnel lessen ,the/grade:considerably, but it would materially, shorten , , the. distance to Wellington.: ~; : ■ AGRICULTURAL SHOW \l-f:r-\ ,{";::,'- "■';'■;■ (3ROUNDS.- /:U ;.'. ■: ■;■'; . ■': , ' L':'it is.,'dodbtfulif many realise'to what, extent ■ the : Hanawatu A. and I\ Association's \ Show has developed. within recent years, until at the present time there are some 1400 members on the roll. In addition, the permanent buildings are . great feature : on the show 'grounds.,. .-Roomy .-offices,*, two ,6toriee high, , standing.ou'the Cuba Street frontage,, first at-,iib.bfh:by--th6ir;,appearanco and 'their ; usefulness; including-'as' they: do several committee rooms, with a large lecture hall on the first floor. : -,Tho',hugo Agricultural Hall, with .a total "length of 570 feet, divided into fivo, hulls/ besides, luncheon, room, and refresh-: ineht booths; Further on is to.:be seen a long ■row of horse-boxes, whence the eye naturally travels : to :tho members' grandstand, which commands a splendid view of the ring, and has. gallery "seating ■ accommodation.; for.' !1500. ■Vα-. derneath there-is a large public"dining-room, a

tea-room, and a bar. Adjacent thero is the pub- - lie stand, which also commands a good view. This has a gallery seating accommodation for 2000 people, with luncheon-rooms, etc., below. The north-western-corner of the grounds is devoted to cover for "oxhibits of sheep and pigs; for sheep thero are two pavilions 350 feet long, containing several hundred pens. On.the Pascal and Cuba. Streets grounds cattle.stalls tako up some 500 feet'frontage, besides a long row of buildings in shop sections for,'the', use of merchants..,. Altogether the -many , excellent ■ building's havo cost the association some ,£9OOO, while the grounds are adjacent to the railway station at Palmerston. North.. - The association's, annual show will'be .held.on November 3,' i, .'and 5 of this year. ■■' -;

COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

INVESTMENT'- SHABES.

Sales of Taupiri Coal at 20s. and LeylondO'Brien Timber at 225. wero reported yesterday. Tho quotations were unchanged. ftatioaai Bank, buyers £5 195.; Now Zealand! and Eivor Plate, buyers £1 14s. 6d.; National Mortijaee, sellers £3; Gisborno Gas, sellers £2 125.; Palmerston North Gas, sellers £7 15a.; South.British Insurance, buyers. £2 ' 12s. 6d., sollcrs £2 143.; Ohristchurch Meat, buyers £10 10s.; Now Zealand. Shipping, buyers £7; Union Steam, eellcrs £1 13s. 6d.; Wellington Woollen, buyers £3; Westport-Stockton Coal, sellers. 6s. 9d.; Now Zoaland Drugs, sellers £2 65.; Taranaki Petroleum, buyers 65.. sellers Bs. 6d.; Sharland s ordinary, sellers 20s. 6d., preference, sellers 21s.

TRADE IMPROVEMENT.

One of the signs of the improvement in .business, in England and abroad is tho greater buoyancy of prices as compared with the condition of markets last year. To some extent the al' tered tendency of prices is due to the intrinsic market conditions of. special articles, thus, jor instance,'cotton, is--being- nilectea by the prospect of a moderate crou.. But the chief reasons for improvement aro that the effects of the 1907 crisis are being got over, and that the world is beginning to make fresh progress. The contraction in British trade after 1907 has been followed by an appreciable improvement during the last few months, a matter of .consequence to New Zealand and the Commonwealth; to' whom the United Kingdom is the best customer. ' The declino which took place in British trade, however, though'serious enough in itself, was a mild affair compared with the breakdown which took, place in tho United States. But American trade now shows, an improving tendency, the effect being felt in the caso_of articles imported by the United States. The basis of American prosperity iB still .-mainly agricultural, and an important feature of tno present position is the higher. level of prices for wheat, cotton, and other articles of produce, as compared with thoso ruling in the 'nineties, when the country began, to mako progress after ■ years of depression. While the business-outlook is now a moro promising one than for somo time past, tho effect on the markets must bo expected to vary according, to tho special circumstances of each article, whore stocks are moderate or light, and-production is hardly keeping pace with demand,-prices may bo expected to respond readily; but where large 6tocka havo accumulated, and production ■ is still in excess of consumption, as. in the case of some of the loading metals, any improvement is likely to be slow. -

INSURANCE FUSION.

Tho Melbourne "Argus," in referring to the absorption of the Australian Alliance by the London . and Lancashire, says :—"The contemplated fusion'of the Australian Alliance Insur•nnce Company with the London and Lancashire Insurance Company is one of tho largest transactions of the kind yet arranged in tho Southern Hemisphere. Shareholders -of the Australian 'Alliance Company may view tho absorption of their company with mingled feelings. Nα one can overlook that the tendency nowadays in the insurance world is for the business of the smaller concerns to be merged into thoso of the more powerful organisations.. These, in turn, are extending their operations to quite: new fields of enterprise. The idea apparently is that by adding to tho. nature of the risk undertaken, and by making the business of an office world-wide, business will be carried on uudor tho safest conditions, provided that the. management is capablo and careful. The great British offices now ■engage not only, in hfoand fire insurance, but in guarantee, fidelity, marine trustee, and general business. . It is'a case of not putting all "the eggs into one basket." Some critics view this estension of interests. with, uneasiness. But the present transaction, if accepted by the shareholders of tho. Australian Alliance Company, will not call for comment on; that ground, as it merely secures to the, London and Lancashire Company thei business connection of an old and well established Australian -office."-.;.: : '. ':

QUEENSLAND STATISTICS

I The' * Quconsland statistics for 13C9. % compiled by Mr. Thornhill Weedan, reveal a. steady inoroaso in tho development of that State. Tho pastoral industry occupies prido of place, tho number of sheep depasturing at the end of last year being 18,348,857, an increase in the twelve months of 1,610,804 head. Cattle figure p at '4,321,600 head, an advance of 429,368 beasts, and horses are moro numdrous by 31,483 at 519,96? head. The • production of wool amounted to 89,J66,4561b., butter, mado, amounted ~ .to., 10,6^5, .tons, an ilicreasf"' of about 450;;ton9*,*'but;.snsar at 157,098 tons.shows ~a-.-''falliiie-oft tone.. With ; tho execptfon of gold and'-tin;'in which the yield has slightly diminished,;-the" mineral I output has heon well maintained, the total value in the yoar under review -boin;; £3,844.487, ! of which £I,97s,ss4'represents gold. Tho production of cereals is not an important * feature, the area under .wheat having steadily decreased lately, and now* amounts to , only_ 80,693 acres. Maize is 'tho most important grain crop, with 127,655 acres yielding 2,767,600 bushels;'whilst only .7385 acres wcro devoted to barley. - The financial -position shows great- expansion "during tho last few yours, the banking assets having grown by, nearly £3,000,000 since 1903.-whilst: advances hUve only increased,,,!)!**, £1,800,000, in the. same period. The improved-'eoonomic Tjositionof tho people Is illustrated by the . Savings Bank figures, which show that out of a population of. 688,237' persons ,there .tire-103,437 depositors, .with an average credit of over. £48 por head. In manufactories* thcro are 29.510, hands employed, the value of tho output bolne £11,242.437, and the exports of homo production y in .1908 were valued at £13,895,501. .. .'..',-.*'..;■ . ; - ; WORLD'S SHIPPING TONNAGE.•-,.' According to Lloyd's ilegister of British and Foreign Shipping,' just publiahcd, as,' for 1-9C9-10, it appears that. the tonnage of the world now. amounts to 41.449,767 tone; a3 compared with 40,922,842 tons a year ago.* Tho steam tonnage of the world has'increased-during tho year by 750,007 tons, against an* increa§o. of 1,753,284 tons in the preceding year, ivliilo ■' the sailing-ship. tonnage has deoreased 223,082 tons, which compares with, a deoreaee' of '269,359* tone in the previous year. ■ Last.-year'-Britisli,:ton-naze incroosed'by 203.172 tons, asainat. an increase, of 1498,403 tons in 1908-09. The following figures, also taken -from thev appendix, show the amount of steam tonnage under the more important flage:- '); V .-'.■-..•;■ .- .■-..;■.;- '-.'■• -.." i... 'Steamers,' Steamers,i . * Tons Rross*,. Tons gross. '• .•-■■ : ..* - '-.; - 1908. .--■ 1909. ' BriHsh . ..;.:;.....:...;..■;... 17,499,542,-/ 17.7C2.714 United States' :;,':...*...■ 3,549,«1 - 3,662,332. ■ Danish ....-..".: .:*.. 660.582 677,098 Dutch 1 .J .:.*:.' 841,870 , 904,536 French - '.;..'. :....'..' 1,416,987 ■ ■ 1,445,976 German ' ....:..... .."3,039,387: 3,889,C46 Italian ...........;-•:: 903,567-- . 961,132 : Japanese :... 1,140,177 1,150,658" Norwegian .'. 1,351,647. '. 1,388,423 Riiflsian ..; _.......'.. 755,350 ■' 760,785 Spanish 677,345 . . 685,875 .;, Swedish;: , .....'. 732,280: . 774,288 Ousto'ns.'revenue collected at Wellington yesterday* amounted to £2366 9s. Id. • ;' ■ FRUIT AND PEODTJOE EEPOKT.' ' . Tho New Zealand Fruit and Produce Company, Ltd., report prices .-fir the *■ week ending SeDtembor 20 as follow:—Potatoes, 4s. 3d. to ss. 3d. 'cwt.i potatoes-(seed dates),;, ; 4s. 6d. to ss. 6d.; onions (American), :up"> to 11s. cwt.; onions (Yictorian), 9a. 6a. cwt.; lettuce, ,3s. to 4s. 9d. case; spinach, 2s. Bd. to' swedes, Is." to Is. 6d. cwt.; * asparagus; : 15.,'.-2d.- to ls.-sd. >bunch; carrots, 55." to 7s. per, *, sack; * parsnips, *2s. to 3s.- per *: sack;, pumpkin, -ss. to 6s. [Sack; cauliflower, Bs.■ to 145.-.sack; rhubarb, 6s. to Bs. doz.; tnrnips, Is. 9d. to 2s. 6d. sack; beetroot, 2s. Bd. to 4s. ,3d. sack; marrow, 2s. 6d. to H. 6d.sack; cabbage, 6s. to 10s. Baok; French beans, 4id. per lb.; mandarins, ss.'6d. to 75.; lomons. 7b. 6d. to Bs. 6d.; loquats, ss. to 7s. boi; passion fruit, 6b. to 7s. 6d.; pinos, 9s;'to 11s. 6d.; island *• oranges, 4s. to Bs. 6d.; .apples (extra ■ohoice),' Bo£c\vood,Sl9."6d.'-t0' , 10!i.," Sturmers,-Bs. '6d.- to 9s.' 6d., cooking, Wolsleys or Washing- * ton, 9s. to 11s., Tasmanian scarlet permain 135.,' Sturmors 95.. to 10a. 6d., crabs, 10s.- to Us. 9d.. stobo pippin 95., russets 10s, to • 11s. 6d.;, eggs (fresh), Is. Id.**per dozen; turkeys.* 9s. to 10s. per pair; hens, 3s. to 4s. pair; ducks, ss. to 6a. pair; -bran, 9s. per sack; oats, 2s. 2d; to 2s. 3d. por bush.; chaff, £3 to £3 lOsii peanuts, 20a. to 225. per Sack; preserved ginger, 6Jd. per lb. j- - WHEAT AND .FLOTO. IDy Tclecraph.-rrtas iMnrlnllnn — dnprrltht I London, September 20. Tho total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for tho United Kingdom is 1,595,000 quarters, and for the Continent 1,465,000. Atlantic shipments, 156,000 quarters; Pacific, .22,C00. LIVE STOCK SALES. Messrs. Abraham and Williams, '■: Ltd., report on their Johnsonville jale, hold yesterday, as follows.—"Wo offered a 'large yarding of sheep and prime heavy bullocks, which sold at. late rates. Heavy bullocks, £9 dss. to £10 10s.; lighter, £9 7e. 6d.; prime down wethere, 18s. 6d.; fair quality wethers, 16s. to 165.-. 6d.; prime owes, 153. 7d.; medium ewes, 145.; spring lambs. 12s. 7d. to 13b. M. . ,'■:-, Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., report as follows:—At our Marlon sale. yesterday, only a few ehcep were yarded, but there .was a large entry of cattle Mixed hoggets,, 10s. li. to 11s. 7d.; yearling heifers, 305., 395. 6d.,.t0 £2 25.; yearling to 15-month empty heifers. 375.,-£2, to £9'45.; mixed ycarlinfCß, 355. to £2 35.; yearlingsteers, 375. 6d. to £2 2s. 6d.; 15-month steers, £2 Bs. 6d. to £2 9s. 6d.; 18-months empty heifors, £2 !35.; heifers, in calf, £3.195. to £5; ompty cows, £2 to £2 Bs.; run cows and heifers, £2 6s. to £3 Is.;, forward cows, £3 to £3 83.; two-year steers, £2 17s. 6:1.. £3 3s. 6d., to £3 8s • two and a half to thtee-yoar steers, £3 18s. to £4 3s. " . . "■. ' Regardins their Pahiatua stock sales, held on Tuesday, at the Pahiatua yards, Jfessre. Dalgoty ■ and Co. report as follows:—Hoggets, 9s. lid.; store cwci, Bs. 3d.; backward hoifors in calf, 555.; springing cows, to 1395.; threeyear stecri, 107s. 6d.; yearling steers, 1305.The Now Zealand Loan' , and Mercantile Agency Company report a good yarding of cattlo at Pahiatua on Saturday. Quotations:—Wethers, to 13s. 5d.; mixed, yearling steers, 405.; yearling heifers, 395.; empty heifora, 455. 6d. to 555.; dairy heifers, 70s. to 100s.; dairy cows, 102s. 6d. to 1255.; three-year steers, 105s. . ■■ . ; Hcßsrs. Abraham and Williams state that, at their I'ahiatua sate on Tuesday, thcro was a good inquiry for all clnssoe of stock. Store wethers, 135.; f.m. ewes iu lamb, 10s. 3d.; fair hoggots,'9s. 6d. to 10s.; small hoggets, 6s. 9d.; dairy cows, 90s. to 100s.; springing heifers, 90b. to 1153.; backward heifers, 81s." to * 87s. 6d.; eight-een-month-'steers, 665.; draught horse's, on ac count. ofJUri'A. .Burgee. £13 tn £19,55. Messrs. F. E. Jaokßon and Co. report as fol-lows:-On Sojjiember U at oar Wmeosuii sale

we yarded- 481 mixed cattle,. 1040 sheep, and 90 pigs. The attendance was good, and bidding free throughout.- The cattle sold somewhat better, and with the exception of a conple of pens wo disposed of all yarded at satisfactory prices. Dairy cows and heifers close to profit elicited kocn competition. Sheep improved somewhat in values, and all sold. Pies maintained lato values. At the Wavcrlcy sale on September 17 we had a small yarding, viz., 100 mixed cattle, 300 sheep, and 80 pigs. Some of. the cattle advertised did riot come forward, so we only had a small offering. The attendance was good, and we sold practically everything at ruling prices. A good entry of pigs came forward and sold well. On Septomber 10, at our Wanganui llorso.Fair, wo yarded ISO horses. - Wo had a good attendance. The bulk of the entry consisted, of draughts and half draughts of good . quality. Competition for this clnss was good, and all offered sold at full values. Hacks were in moat instances .neglected, the: excessive rescrvee being a bar to business. ■ llowever,: on the whole, wo quitted a fair proportion at satisfactory prices. Wo quote:-At Wanganui sale: 2-yjar steers. .63 2s. Gd. to £i .Is. 6d.; others, £2 18a. to £3; yearling steers, 325. to 355.; 15-month steera, £2 2s. to £Z 55.; J-.vcar bullocks, £4 .to £4 10s.; mixed yearlings, 365.; 18-montfc heifers, £2 10s. to £2 12s. 6d.;-others, £2 3s. to ,£2 Bs.: yearlings, 235. to 255.; ditto heifers (choice), £2 35.; empty cows, £2 15S. to £2 17s. 6d. 4 , £3, to £3 2s. store cows, £2.55.; bnlls, £2 10s. to £3 55.; springing heifers (good), £4 153.' to £6 10s.; others, £2 17s. 6d. to £4 55.; milch cows, £4 to £5 55.; fat hoggets.(pets), 165.; fat'ewes, 12s. to 12s: 9d.; fat wethers, 155.; mixed.hoggets (good), 125 , . 3d. to 12s. 6d.; others, 10s. Bd. u> lie. id.; forward ewes, 10s.; ewes in lamb, 14s. 9d.; cull ewes, ss. 6d. Pigs-Large. porkers, 345. to 395.; good porkers, 27b. 6d. to 315.; stores, 17b. to 215.; weaners, 11s.. to 145.. 6d.'- At Wavcrlcy-Fat cows. £3 Ms. 6d.' to £4 -2e.; 2J to 3-year eteers, £4 13s. to £4 14s. 6d.;.2-year steers, £3 45.; forward heifers/ £2 18s.; store cows, .253.; mixed yearlings, 245.; springing heifers (good), £4 15s. to £5; others, £3 to £4 Iβ.; springing cows (good),'£s to £6 2a. 6d.;-others, £4'los. to £4 15a.; forward cows, £3; hoggets, Bs. lOd. to 11s. 9d.;.fat and forward ewes, Bs. 9d. Pigs-Heavy porkers, £1 155.; good do., 265. 6d.; eood stores, 16s. to 18s.; Btores, 14s. 3d.; weaners, Bs. 6d. At horse Bale-TTnbroken 3-year draughts (best), £19 55.. £19 155., £20.-£2O 55.,'£20 10s. to £24; unbroken do. (good), £14, £14 155., £15, £15 10s., £16 55., £17, to £17 55.; medium half-draughts, £8, £8 12s. 6d.. £9, £9 15s.i £12 55., to £13;. unbroken trap horses (good), from £10 10s. to £14; unbroken hacks, £4 10s., to £7; others, £2 to £3. 10s.; draughts, broken to all harness, £15 to £25; good hacks; £6 ss. to £8 55.; medium do., £3 10s. to £5 10s.; others. £2 10s. to £3; spring trap horses; £7 15s. to £9 10s. -