FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1423, 25 April 1912, Page 8

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

MINING NEWS.

LANQDALE SETTLEMENT.

IMPRESSIONS OF A VISITOR. . Thoso settlers who took up sections in iho Langdalo Settlement have every reason to be.well satisfied, snys our travelling correspondent, who adds:—This property was purchased by tho Government from llldei- Jiros., at a prico which to-day would be considered ridiculous— somewhere about 4:11 ss. per acre—though 1 have been told it was under that price. Anyway, whatever it was, it enabled tho Government to lease the sections at • a reasonable rate, as the cost of putting tho land on tho market was small, "seeing that there were already two roads through the block. 1 do not know of any property in Wellington province which has been purchased ami again let on lease at such advantageous rates (o tho farmers; Tho settlers could hardly fail to make a success of- their holdings', if they knew anything at all,of fanning. As a matter of fact, I believe only one w J as not successful in his farming, but ho was very well off when'he sold out his interest'in ,lho section. Langdale never looked bettor than when I vas there. The whole area had'a look of prosperity which is most gratifying. The dwellings-ami other buildings which have been erected are an evidence that the right class, of men were settled on the estate, unlike some other Government leaseholds which I see now and then, where the dwellings are merely shelters, showing the poverty of these settlers, who with no capital to improve tlt?ir holdings ere keeping out better men with the requisite, means to improve .tho sections. The homestead block of Longdale, of about 1(100 acres, is owned by Mr. Kyder. ,[t is now eleven years since•he got his section, and as he was the only applicant, no ballot was required. The. section was so heavily loaded for improvements, in the way of buildings, that it no doubt deterred others from putting in nn application. However, the buildings have all been paid for some time ago, and Mr. Ryder's absolute property. On looking over the property, 1 remarked that the blackberry was nearly all gone. Jlr. Ryder said he wanted'me particularly to sea what he had done. Where I saw a solid mass of blackberry some three or four vears.ago, was now practically clear. I only saw a few weakly shoots. On making inquiry, I learned that the owner had lised a certain weed destroyer. Now, I have used various kinds of so-called guaranteed noxious weed destroyers, wh'ich all scent to act'as fertilisers, as the pest comes up nest season as strong, if not stronger, than ever. I .noticed a heap of; dead blackberry roots, and they wors really dead, no doubt about it. Mr. Ryder nlso fossicked about—it was some time be-fr-re he could find three roots. These were dug up, and were found to bo absolutely dead, Loth stub an.l root. Tho crewn of. the stub was chipped with an adzo last June, when the sap was down, then tho poison was sprayed on, with the result that in nearly every case there was a total clearance. The only live roots which I saw were evidently from buds on roots tn which the pniscin hatl not penetrated, but it w.is an undoubted fact th.it all ihe main stubs (that is. the big roots), some as big as the two fists, which had been sprayed, were quite denShould tho experience of other farmers be the snme, this particular destroyer will prove a great boon.

Walkiitß over the pnddnclcs we c.ime to one in which there were 25 acres of.rn.p-e., It/had 1;? en a grrnntrcrop*. 302 big sheep had been on it tlms weeks, and there irero still two or three days' feeding left. Thero were also four acres of Crimson Top turnip, ;.s good a crop as on? could wish to fcs. Tlte.'e showed that the fino flats of the Whareama River nr? vnr.v fertile. Across the .river is "lea" Station the property of tho late Rev. ,T. C. Andrew", which holding i? now divided into fiyb portions among the family of the former owner. Here there are sreat prnbabilitfe if they are only availed,.of. T iras told that no fat shesp nra turnrd off "lea" ; n the !nt» owner's time. This branch of sheep-farpiinj; could easily and with much-advantage he followed,. 'as there are many hundreds-of acrp= of fine fertile fiats bordering the Whareama River.

EUiVIONT A. & P. ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING. The statement presented by the treasurer of the Egmout A. and P. A:sociatiou at the annual meeting "showed that despite the bad f-easou experienced for show stock, and tho fact that wet weather affected the receipts from -all sources on the second tiny of the show,, this association concluded the year with "a. profit of £272 2s. Id., which profit conI ititutes a record for the association.

The president' (Jlr. O. Hawkenj, during the course of his address, remarked that tiis Tiirana'u • Province had had a prosperous year. The spring had been a good one, with the result that prices had been gcod right through, especially for their principal product— butter and cheese. Taianaki, particularly in South _ Taranaki, was also becoming a district for exporting dock, and very few people realised the number of young and fat stock that were being sent out of the province. But he. thought it behoved the people to breed better stock, for, unfortunately, a lot of rubbish had been bred. Only tho bcit of stock should be kept, and it would. hi a great advantage to the district if the pr*>ple realised this. He might ray, however, that the stock was improving, particularly the cattle, while of horses the heavy stock was very good. But this wti-i not "so with the lielit animals. It was hero, in the breeding of stock for show purposes, that members of the association could do good work. It was only by people seeing the stock at shows that they would get to know the bpst breeds and to know ,what to buy for their special purpose ■It was a great pity that more people did not attend the shows to learn all they could, for. the ' man' with the' good stock was generally the most successful. He would like to refer to a matter which had rather a serious pffect upon the pastoral industry, and-that was in reference to the lack of labour. ■ Whsn canvassing for subscriptions or members a number of farmers had told him they were unable to show their stock because they could not get anyone to look after it. and many other similar complaints were- made. He thought ■ the farmers would be well advissd if they formed an association to import labour. Tho ftate , of the bank returns bore this out, for msii were being driven out of legitimate enterprises from this cause of shortage of labour, and going in for speculation, simply to escape the labour difficulty. Vi'ith high-priced land—and he did not think it too high—they must, have thr- labour to work it.

The election of officers resulted as under:—

President. Mr. Ojwald Hawken; vicepresident.- Mr. B. -0. Lysnght; treasurer, JFr. A. W. Gillies. General committee, Messrs. A. Him tor, J. Grant. A. S. Tonks, A. Good, W. O'Cnllnijhnii, A. T.. Wills, F. Giilanders, E. E. Xalder. T.R. Exley, R, .r. Linn, E. AVnsher, F. A. Bremer, .7. Robertson, F. Mills, H. V. Best, W. E. Brod<>rick, A. L. Campbell, G. Cooper, W. J. Greavos, J. Hunter, T,. Tit. Hamilton, A. A. Piper, D. J. W 7 illis, S. C. Tonks.

LAAIBS ON RAPE.

IS SHEARING AN ADVANTAGE? It is no doubt customary in many districts to shear lambs prior to turning them on to rape to fatten, but, says Mr. T. W. Lonsdale in the "Journal of the Department of Agriculture," there is no authentic, ovidance to warrant this procedure—in fact, it is questionable whether there is anything to be sained by it. In .continuation of nn experiment carried out by Jtr. Lomsdnle on the Jiuakura Farm last year, another trial has recently been conducted on the Momuahaki Experimental Fin-in. This demonstration has shown tho futility of taking the result uf one trial, or even several trials, as conclusive. In order to dearly enumerate the results of the trials it is necessary to give a resume of last year's experiment. "Forty wether lambs wero selected on January i. 1911. All were weighed after being divided into two lots, and twenty were subsequently .shorn. The weight of tho.-n ..horn at that date was 12051b., nn average nf R0.251b. each. Those unshorn weighed 12351b., an average of ti1.751b. each. The whole of the lambs were put on to rape and allowed the run of a grass paddock L adjoining, On Jlarci 33, exactly isfisa

NEWS AND NOTES,

wooks front shearing, the lambs worn again weighed, the result being as follow?:—Shorn lot gave a total weight of 11731b.. an average of 73.6.">1b. each; the unshorn lot uoighecl IMMb., an average of 771b. each. As Iho In nibs were weighed prior to .shearing, an average of 2.01b of wool lining taken from each, the actual weight of the shorn lot at the coiiiiiiimk'unient of the trial was .')7.(i.">lb. each, or 4.1f11b. each lighter (linn tho nn>horn. At the end nl' flu- trial, therefore, the shorn showed a gain of 1611). each, mill the unshorn a gain of Kj.iilb. raeh. There was thus a gain in favour of the .-horn lot ol O.Tolbl cueb."

This season forty lambs were -.elected on January S, and tiivnty were subsequently shorn. The two lots were then weighed ami turned on to rape, having also access to a" adjoining grass run- The total weigiit of the shorn lot was an average of fiUlb. each; the unshorn lot weighed HJSib.. an average of 61.11b. each. On February 13. just six weeks from the commencement of. the test, the lambs were again weighed, with the following results: Shorn lot, total weight IlOIJlb., nn average of 71.51b.. each thus showing for the six.weeks a gain of 13.41b. each. The unshorn lot gave a total weight of 15711b.. an average of 78.71b. each, being a gain of 21.31b. for the rie-ried. The results, therefore, show a gain in favour of the unshorn lot of 7.91b. each.

This, result is the reverse of the 1011 test, when the gain was 0.751b. each In favour of the .shorn Int. The climatic conditions under'which the two tests were conducted were entirely different; dry and hot weather' Was exnerieneed throughout the Wit test, while "this sttifon the weather has broil cold, frequent and heavy rains occurring during the. trial. Judging by Ihe results of the two demonstrations, says .Mr. I.nnsdale. it is evident that the question. "Does it pay to shear lambs?" still remains an open c.ie. Taken out a series nf yparf it is probable that (he result would not be a financial SUCMSS.

' Ch'ick-rearing is not only profitable, but a pleasure, when you feed "A .ind P" Chick-Raifer. It is complete and pro-perly-blended fond for Young Chicks. Obtainable from all storekeepers.—Advt.

Tt'hen an experienced factory manager declares that a certain part of the equipment is "perfect" there must be splendid features in the article. Tho manager of the Fcatherston Co-operative Dairy Co-, in writing about "Victor" Vnts, .'aid thoy were "absolutely the best and to his mind perfect." "Victor" Dairy Goods nre manufactured by Albert J. Parton, Carterton.—Advt

LIVE STOCK SALI3S. 3Fd?srs. Dalgcty and Company, Limited, Palraerston North, report having a very good entry of sheop at their Marton sale on Tuesday, all of which met with .a ready sate at prices as below:—Cull lambf, to 6s. <n.; small lambs, to 75.; mixed lambs. 9s. Bd., 9s. 9d., to 10?. Good mixed lambs, to IC-3. 6d.; - mixed-nge cwos. in lamb, to 10s. '.d.: fat and forward owe?, to lCs. 5d.; twotooth wel.hoi - ?, small, to Us.; crood two-, tooth wethers, to 14s. 5d.; aged hacks, £2 to £3.

3tos?rE. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., report:VM : c have to report a most successful dispersal sale of Mrs. Bradlce's live and dead stock at Jlanakau on Monday. Thero was a very ln.rgc attendance of buyers from all'parts of this and other districts, who operate! freely, and ovorytliine was fold at'exceptionally good prices: 1200 four and sis-tooth wethers. 13$. 10d. to 3d.; 275 two-tooth wethers, 12s. l<1.; 17 forward ewes. 10s. 9d.; 71 two and four-tooth owes 10i>. 9d.; 47 aged ewes, 7s. 3d.; dairy cows. £5 15s. to .£6 12=. £d.; heifers in ralf, ,£5; vveauers. Z6s.; stove cows. 50s. to £2 17s. 6d.; bull. £2: backs. £3 to £11. Tho dogcart horse and harness reached the satisfactory price of £78. A large assortment of'-furni - -- t.urc was all sold at good prices. Farm implements and sundries all cold well. Jlr. Kennedy's reserves were too high, and we had to pass 'lie lot." The same firm report on their Waikanae «ile:—At Wai' kanan, on Tuesday, our sale was principally made up of 37r.'May's stock. There was a very large attendance of buyers, and we have to report a most successful sale, every hoof, with the exception of. ooe small pen 'if weaners. changing hands at prices which must be considered very satisfactory. Mr. May should he congratulated on tho finality, condition, and general excellence of his stock. Though all tho stock Fold well, the buyers roust feel pleased with themselves at getting the opportunity to secure such cood lines of well-bred sheep and cattle. We quoto:—On account of Mr. T. May. 276 two-tooth to f.f.m. Homney ewes. Us. U.; 150 two-tooth to f.m. Eouincy ewes, 12s. (id.; 77 prime wothers. 16s. 6d.; 75 forward wethors. 13s. 9d.; 63 lambs, 95.; 10 Romucy rauis. 135.; 13 fat and forward ■bullocks. £7 7s. 6d.; 7 three-year bullocks, £5 165.: 8 two and a half-year steers. £5 65.; 13 two-year steers, £4 65.; 18 18-month to two-year steers. £3 14s. 6d.; 22 young breeding cows, £4 3=.; 17 18-month heifers. £3; 5 fat cows. £5 7s. 6d.; 1 Shorthorn bull, £3 13s. A number of horses of all descriptions sold at good prices. On account of other vendors:—Forward ewes, 9s. 5d.; prime wethers. 16s. 6d.; two and a half to three-year steers. £4 15s. to £5 Is.; two-

rear steers, £4'; two-year heifers in calf, £4 145.; 18-month heifers in calf, £3 12s. 6d ; forward empty cows. £3 18s.; cows in calf, £3 10s. to £4 10s.; small wcanorj. 18s. to 235. 6d.

Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., report on their Johnsonville sale, held yesterday, as follows:—A largo entry of prime cattle and sheep came forward, and sold readily at late rates. Prime heavy bullocks, £10 to £10 7s. 6d.; prime bullocks. £9 7s. 6d. to £9 155.; lighter, £8 15s. to £9 2s. 6d.; prime cows, £6.105. to £6 17s. 6d.; good wethers, 15s. 4d. to 16s. 6d.; prime heavy ewe-. 14s. 10d. to 15s. 5d.; prime ewes, 14s. 2d. to 14s. 6d.; lighter, 135.-6 d.; prime limbs, 13s. to 13s. 9d.; good, 12s. to 12s. 6d.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., report that there was a fair entry of shoep and a large yarding of ca,ttlc at their Masterton sale yesterday.. Competition was again keen, and nearly every line changed hands. Forward woolly lambs brought from 7s. 6d. to .93. 5d.; shorn do., Bs." Id.; small lambs, 6s. lOs.; ompty. ewes, 8s; 6d: to 9s. 5d.; backward sorts, 4s. lid.; forward ■ empty cows, £4 15s.;'old do., £2; weaners, £2.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd.,- Pahiatua, report having held a very successful special cattle sale y6sterdayv A'thousand head of cattle were yarded, consisting of grown and young cattle. Bidding was spirited all through, and an almost total clearance was effected, due to the season. The bulk of the cattle were in eplendid condition, and reflected oredit on the districts drawn from. On account of the rough weather, cattle caine forward in -less than the advertised numbers. Quotations: Four and five-year bullocks, £6 17s. 6d. to £7 55.; three-year bullocks, £5 5.>. to £6 165.; forward cows, to £5 45.; speyed heifers, to £4 11s. 6d.; store cows, to £4 165.: 20-month steers, to £4; weaners, to £2 145.; heifers in calf, to '£6 10s.; cows in calf, to £5 10s.

The Sew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.. Ltd.. report:—At our Waikanae sale on Tuesday last wo offered a small entry of both sheep and cattle to a full attendance qf buyers, who were present from Palraerston North, Shannon, Levin, Otaki. Wellington as well as the surrounding districts. Uidding for sheep was rather dull, but under the hammer and privately afterwards we disposed of the bulk of our entry at satisfactory prices. We quote:— Forward store oiy.es, to 10s.; full-mouth ewes, to 75.'6 d.; wcaner heifers, from 265. to 365.; weaner steers, from 15s. 6d. to 255.; dairy cows, from £4 ss. to £4 17s;; pigs, woaners, to 6s. 6d.

Messrs. James Macintosh and Co. report having held their usual weekly f«le in their Waipoua (Mastcrton) sale yards yesterday, when they offered a good yarding of shsep, but a very small yarding of cattle, no doubt owing to tho boisterous weather experienced the last day or two. Despito tho conditions of the weather they yarded 1300 sheep of all classes, and the whole yarding, with the exception of one pen of ewes, was sold under the hammer ut full market rates. Quotations are as follow:—Fat ewes, 11s., 11s. 3d. to 12s. Bd.; fat forward ewes, 10s. to 10a. Bd.; forward wethers, 135.; blackface lambs, 7s. 7d.; whitefacc lambs, Bs. 6d. to 11s. lid.; cull lambs, 43. lOd., ss. 4d., to 6s. Id.; store ewes. 7s. to 7s. 2(1. i ewes in lamb, 9a, 6d., 10s. 9(1., to 11s. Cattle: Two-year station heifors. in cnlf, .£3 95.; store'cow?, £3 145.-18-month heifers, £2 12s. ADDINGTON HATtKET. (Br Tslcrraoh-Prcsa Association.! Chrlstchdrch, April 24, There were smnlbi- entries of :-lork in conseiniencc or the wet weather, nnd the attendance wus likewise much reduced. There was practicallv no change in I lie prices of fat cattle and fat. lambs. Fat sheep, especially ewes, were easier. Fflt pi its brought late rate.-, but. ther.- was little demand for stores. There ueic only :i few store .-attic offered, and the small yarding of dairy cows sold well. The yjtrtlitip of .-tore sheep was much below- the numbers offered of late, the rain nrevenliiiE the uHial offering; being made. Wethers represented o- larger iiroporttan of Uis entry tha.n uiuil. nnd among th?cr. \\nn levijrnl lots of forward sheen, The «we 6 were

chiefly ot a medium ela??. and lambs miged from medium sorts to forward rape lambs. Though there was not a large attendance of buyers, there was o. good demand, bidding being brisk throughout, and practically all lots were sold forward. Wethers and lamb- sold fully up to late rates, and in some cases at an ndvance.

Kwes showed little or no change in values. Two-toolh ewes sold up to 15s. for good average hilf-breds. and to 12s. 9d. for small sorts: four-looths, 15.-. to Us. 6d.; si.t and eight-tooths, 13s. to Ks.j soundmouthed, 12s. to 13s. 6d.; full and failingmouths. 9s. to 10s.; and «ged. 6s. 6d. to Bs. 6d.; forward wethers, t<!s. to 155.: medium, 15s. lo 13s. 6d.: low-conditioned tv.o-tn->ths, I2s. 6(1. to 135.; forward lambs. Us. 3d. to ISs.: medium, 10s. lo 10s. 9d.; and others, 7s. to 9s.

'The yarding of fat lambs totalled 7436, and included sonic-pens of extra heavyweights. At the .-ame time many of the lots were on the small and light side. There iva- a keen demand for export, und prices were linn throughout. Tegs made 17s. 6d. tj 19s. 6d.: and ujtrt. to 215.; ordinary freezers, to 175.; light and un'ini.-lied, 12--. lo 13s. fid.

There was a large yarding of fat sheep, of which about two-thirds consisted of ewes, mostly of a. medium class. The demand was not so keen as of late, nnd wethers were somewhat easier, white lines declined from Is. to Is. 6d. per head. The range of prices was;— Prime wethers. 17s. 6d. to 19s. 4d.: extra, to 225. 6d.; lighter, 14s. to 165.; prime ewes, 12s. 6d. to 17s. 6d.; others, 9k. 6d. to 12s.

The yarding of fat cattle totalled 327 head, and included sonic exceptionally good steers nnd heifers. There was a fair demand, and values showed practically no change, the higher prices per head being accounted for by the better quality, licet' ra.i-.gcd from 21s. lo 255. 6d. per- ICOlb.; steers making £8 10s.. to £11; and extra, £13 to £16 103.: and one to £20: heifers, £6 to £9: and cows, £5 to £6 10s. Veal calves brought 6s. to 705., there being a small yarding of useful sorts. The few stora cattle offered were turned out unsold. A small yarding of dairy cows met with a goad sale, prices ranging from £4 15s. to £11 10s.; and one extra, to £13.

There was a. fair yarding of fat pigs, and they sold well, choppers realising up to £4; large baconers. 665. to 745.; smaller, 50s. to 605., equal to s*d. per lb.; porkers, 445. to 48s. 6d.; lighter, 38s. 6d. to 425. 6d.: equal to 53d. to 6d. per , lb. A small entry of stores met with a. little demand, large sorts making ;os. to 335.; medium. 20s. to 275. 6d.: and small. 6s. to 9s. There were no weancra offered.

BUHXSIDE MAKKET. !Br Telcgraph.-Prpss Association.! Dunedin, April 24. Ai. Burnside to-riay 200 fat cattle were yarded. The quality was better than has been in the yards for some time, a good number of pons consisting of prime bullocks. As thu number was in excess of requirements, prices wore easier, especially for raws and heifer. , -, but. bullocks were mor,'! keenly computed for. Extra heavy bullocks, £11 ss. to £13 55.; good, £9 153. to ,£11; light nnd medium, £6 10s. to £9; «tra hnaw heifers, £8 ss. to £9; eood. £7 ti £8; medium, £5 10s.; to £6 165.; light, £4 to £5 ss. Fat sheep: There was a. very large yarding, 4118 being penned. A fair proportion consisted of prime finished wethers, for which there was a. spirited demand. The bulk of the yarding, however, consisted of rwcs, for which prices were fully Is. below Inst week's rates. Freezing buyers were .operating for well-finished Hftht-wcißht wntliers and ewes, with the result thet the ruling rates were evenly maintained. Prime lioavv wethers, io 225. 5d.; good. 17s. to 195. ; 6d.; light, 15s. to 16s. 6d.; extra he&ry ewes, i' 19s. 9(1.; good, 13s. lo 15s. 6d., medium, 10s. to 12s. 6d.; light and unfinished, 7s. to fe. 6d. Fat lambs: 1926 were penned, a number of which were of or.tra good quality and weight. Exporters were operating freely, and secured the largest portion of the entry. Prices were fully up to late rates. One of the features was the keenness of the competition. Extra heavy. 18s. 6d. to 205.; heavy, 16s. to 17f. 6o\; medium, 13s. 6d. to las.; light and unfinished, 12s. to 13s. Pigs: 180 were penned, a.nd there was good competition for all classes. Suckers. 11s. to 14.=.; Flips, 16s. to 215.; stoves, 225. 6d. to 405.: porkers. 325. to 425.: light baconers,' 445. to 52=.; heavy, E6s. to 735. . COMMERCIAL ITEMS. INVESTMENT SHAPES ; There were no transactions in investment shaves yesterday. The buying end selling quotations were as under:— Buyers. Seller?. ; £ 6. d. £ s. d. ■s'ationnj TSank - 6 2 6 Well. DopDsit 0 7 3 0 8 0 Gi?bornc Ga* ...i - 2 16 0 Palmerston Gas 8 17 6 - . Well. Gas (£!0) ..: 18 2 6 IS 7 6 Well. Gas (pr;f. £!) '. - 116 S.B. Insurance ..' 316 0 - Christchurch .Meat - 15 7 6 Union Steom 2 8 0 — Taupiri Coal 119 12 6 Westpjrt Conl 17 6 - Westport-Stoekton — 0 3 0 1.-nyland-O'Brien - 18 9 Taringamutu Totara. — 2'B 6 (\ V. P.inte. Ltd - 1. 0 l> Golden Bay Camrnt — . 116 'Saarland's ordinary — 14 6 PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION. At the Victorian Hankers' Institute recently Mr. C. Hamilton Wickos. British Trade Commissioner in Australia, delivered an addrcsp on production nnd its distribution. Seeking an explanation of the large export of.gold from the Commonwealth, tho lecturer conjectured that it must arise .cither from necessary payment for an excels of imports and interest, on loans or from the fact that the gold found better investments abroad. The latter would be a very unsatisfactory state of affairs. The prosperity of a nation depended upon the extent to which its production—primary and manufacturing—was developed. Improved means of production had made a larger proportion of the community dependent upon a smaller proportion of producers. The greatest factor that militated against successful production, the lecturer said, was strikes, and therefore tho effect of strikes upon production must be lessened by some form of punishment or deterrent force. The particular' form must be decided by the people, but where the whole adult population of tho country had the vote total disfranchiscment would be a fitting penalty. In the case of Government servants this should include disability from ever again enjoying Government employment. Where there were legal tribunals refusal to make use of them should' preclude the participation in their awards. 'Host instances of unrest arose from mismanagement or tho employment of casual labour uncertain of Its income.

The lecturer outlined the American system to scientific management. Referring to distribution, he said that a fundamental error of manufacturers was in allowing their'products to pass into the hands of middlemen without any check being kept as to the price ultimately charged. Th» circumstances of Australia were industrially ideal. There.was no legacy of past hardship to overcome, and the small population necessitated the use of the best lab-our-saving appliances.

Eeplying to questions, Mr. Wickes eaid that-the establishment of branches here by British manufacturers was limited by the extent of the market, and this market was again limited by the ■ severity of interState freights. Every shilling added to the freights put off the day when the British manufacturer would start. - In many instances it cpst less to Eend goods from New York to Queensland and Western Australia '.haii from Tictoria. The manufacturers must, therefore, rely on the market of one State only. Victoria, was the State that imported the smallest proportion of British goods. He could quote numerous cases in which Government Departments had placed orders with foreigners at. higher prices than those quoted by British firms. In many cases where British material was specified in main contracts those who carried out sub-contracts were allowed to u=e any material they liked.

LIFE ASSTJRANOE AND ANNUITY STATISTICS.

A bulky Bluo Book, its 83J page? crowded with interesting figures relating to life assurance and annuity business deposited witli the Board of Trade during the yeai ended December 31 last, haa been issued With regard to ordinary life companies established in the United Kingdom, it is seen that totol income in this branch totalled £381,719,112. The funds at the le ginning of the yea-r fitood at £336 714 £77 and the figures at the close had incre.v>« to £348,545,470. The income of industrial companies amounted to £60,966,418, tlio funds at the end of the year standing at £46,797,835. Receipts from all sources of life companies established out of th« United Kingdom totalled £457,750 311 the funds nt the end of the financial reattaching £407,919,200. ■ A summary of' the new life assurance business effected during the year of account shows that in ordinary companies 266,122 new policies were effected, the sums assured amounting to £61,368,931. Industrial companies arranged 7,858,747 policies, the sum a«snred totalling .£71,598.255, while colonial" and foreign companies effected 5630 policies representing £2,293.906 assured. The number of policies m lorce m ordinary assurance business was 2,863,851, representing an assured sum of .£800.215,506, the figures with raSTL t0 a "". uil , i<,s ~(,in E 72.360', find £2.879,291 respectively. Industrial policies numbered 31,173.527, the sums assured toliillini; £310,969.119. LOATIINCi AND MSCIfAIIGIXfi COAL. An' inevitable rfiiilt of the recent co<il strike hi hnsrlnnd will he an endcavonr on (he part of the colliery owners to make up lor Ihe increase in the wages sheet by a 'reduction of workiii , ; exnense and co='t of ontpiii. Labour-saving devices both mi Hie surface and in the nils, will be intrarlnred as lar as po=-ible. and machinery will be bronchi up t? date in every rowel. In lliU Mgard }.hp Imtii'hlnß ot tlin Hnrm.in haubcr at 17sllion. «n tnr in day of Harcli, mai'ks the dfTdonmcut that

i<= licipiL' made in the transport of seaborne coal. The vessel is enuipped with th? htest sclf-difcliarpinc system, and the Gorman authorities have shown pi-ral interest in this development. The vessel itself i = a. single-decked steamer, <ind designed with a, view priunrily to rapid loading. Owing no need for winches, masts or derrick?, and with an abnormal lintoh nrca there Is necessarily a great reduction in time and expense iii harbour. Hy an arrangement of inclined planes- the circo is discharged autoimitioally into '.ongitud.inal tiDuphs, the bottoms of which arc formed of slow moving, oomiiiuou? trnv belts. An oper. ator in tne tunnel leadins from the halds has only to open a door of a cell, and the cargo flow? on to the conveyers, and then direct, to this discharging point. The volume of conl on the licit.- at. one time is about three feet wide by li foot deep, with a head -naoe of two feet to allow of any milliner of eoal being handled. In the vessel tliiTC nr , ? two of t lipjjp conveyer belts, one on either -iile of the centre line, mid the discharge is over both sides by chute-- to barge:-. In one hour ECO tons may be discharged, or allowing for b-irgo changing 600 tons per hour, and the whole of the cargo unloaded in six hours, employing only six men. two operators in the tunnel?, two on deck at the. chutes, and an engineer and fireman, while the cargo if automatically weighed. A record of simil.tr work by the most modern of colliers with derricks apd winches is about 300 tons per hour, with 112 men employed.

XEW ZEALAND PRODUCE EXPORTS. The values of the exports of produce from Xcw Zealand during the first half of the current month compared, with Ihe figures for the corresponding period, show a≤ under;— 1912. 1911. £ £ Butter 47,142 24.376 Cheese 135,617 45.803 l!eef 27.900 37,380 MuttonCarcasses 113,127 89.156 Legs ajid pieces ... 5,926 4,661 Lamb 156,853 203,324 Wheat 8 13,523 Oats 11,852 240 Potatoes 25 169 Hemp 6,625 23,298 Rabbits ' — 2 Tow 741 1,182 Kauri gum 9.C89 9.385 firain nnd pulse 5,719 10,504 Hops - 391 Hides 3,344 4,675 Pkins 37,762 41,665 Tallow 39,074 49.728 Timber 13,298 14,198 Wool 453.135 229.225 Gold 88,8<6 49.980 1,166,094 855,870 Customs duties collected at the port, of Wellington yesterday amounted to £2414 3f. OTAGO GRAIN MARKET. IBj Telecraph-Prcss Association.) Dunodin, April 24, The demand for oats has eased off during the past few days. Samples are coming to hand freely, and in the absence of orders shippers are disinclined to speculate. Prime millings, 2s. Id. to 2s. 2d.; good to best feed, 2s. Id. to 2s. lid.; inferior. Is. 9d. to 2s. Wheat.—There is a good demand for all lines fit for milling, and prices have hardened. Prime milling velvet. 3s. 10d. to 3s. lid.; tuscan and velvet c-ar, 3s. 9d. to 3s. 10tI.; medium milling and best whole fowl wheat, 3s. H to 3s. 7d. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CABLED REPORT. Tils Department of Agriculture. Commerce, and Tourists ha* received tho following cablegram from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, dated London, Aprii 23, 1912. (Quotations, unless otherwise specified, are average market prices on spothEggs—The market is firm, owing to reduced supplies. Per 120: Home, Bs. 9d. to 9s. 6d.; Italian, Bs. 9d. to 9s. 6d.; Austrian, Bs. 3d. to Bs. 9d.; French, 9s. 3d. to 10s. 6d.; Jlorocean, 75., 7s. 6d.; Danish, Bs. to 10s.; Russian, 6s. to Bs. 6d. Poultry.—The market is steady, and a fair business doing. Chickens: Home, 9*d. to Is. per lb.; Russiau, Bd. to 9Jd.; Americans, 6*d. to lCd. Ducklings: Home, ICJd. to Is. 2d. per lb.; Chinese, 5Jd. to 7d.; Russian. s>d. to 7d. Turkeys: French, 10d. to Hid. per lb.; Italian. Sid.; Russian, 9d. Bacon.—The market is firm at the advance. A moderate demand, but the weather is fine for favourable consumption. Sides: Irish, 645. to 725. per cwt.; Danish, 60s. to 715.; Russian, 565. to 635.; Canadian, 61s. to 68s. Earns.—The market quiet but firm for English and Irish, and for American and Canadian the market is firm, with an improved demand. English,' 89s. to ICO3. per (iwt.; Irish. 04s. to 965.: American, 595. to 675.; Canadian, 645. to 725. - LONDON WOOL SALES. By Telesraph— Association -Copyright London, April 23. There was a large selection of New land ero-sbreds at the sale. American buyer; are competing. Prices are firm; merinos unchanged. . Messrs. Levin and Co.. Ltd., have received cable advice from their London agents .that the following clips have been sold on their account at the sales now current. The prices named boing the average price realised off the fleece wool in each instance:— GM/BUHNSIDE, Jlasterton. 9jd. ; WAIJIAHOE. Waikanao. 9Jd.; TE TAUMATA, Pahiatua. 8 15-16 d.: PATUNA, Jlartinhorouch, 9 11-16 d.: AHAWAMOI. Jlasterton, 9 l-16d.; WHAEE, Pahauto.nui, 9 7-16 d.; KKK. Ohariu, 10 5-16 d.; JM/L, Porirua, 8 3-16 d.

WELLINGTON SHABE MABKET. Very little business was done in mining shares yesterday, and there was no change in the dull tone of the market. The sales recorded were as under:— Talisman, 435. 6d. (second call). Waihi Grand Junction, 255. 3d. (first call). The Buying and selling quotations were as under:— Buyers. Sellers. £ s. d. £ s. i. Keep-it-Dark 19 0 — New Sylvia. 0 0 5 0 0 9 Occidental — Oil Talisman 2 3 3 2 3 6 Waibi 1 15 0 1 15 9 Waihi Grand Junction ... 1 5 3 15 9 Waiotahi 0 2 6 0 2 10 Waitangi - 0 10 The Wellington Stock Exchange received the following telegram yesterday from the Talisman Consolidated:—Forwarded London office the following cablegram:—No. 13 level, sinking No. 16 winze, progress 26ft., reef wider than winze, assay value £3 Is. 9d.; No. 14 level, driving north, progress 14ft., reef 12in. wide, values low; driving north from No. 12 winze, from 52ft. to 72ft., reef 24in. wide, values low; ftom 72ft. to 80ft., reef 24in. wide, assay-value £7 10a.; driving south from No. 12 winze, progress 21ft., reef 42in. wide, assay value £2 4s. Woodstock sunk 14ft. STOCK EXCHANGE. IBy Telegraph—Preei Asieciatlea.! Auckland, April 24. Business done at this morning's call included:— lloanataiori, 3s. 2d. New Sylvia, 6s. sd. Occidental, Is. Waitangi. lid., Is. Crown, 23. 6d. Talisma.n, £2 J?. Waihi, £1 15s. 6d. Grand Junction, £1 ss. (i. Taranaki Petroleum, £1 2s. 6d. Auckland Trams, £1 ss. Dunedln, April 24. The following'sales were reported on the Stock Exchange to-day:—Golden Bed, 12e. 6d.; Waihi, £1 15s. 6d. WATCHMAN G.M. COMPANY. ' The mine manager reports:—During the week work has been in progress as under :- Tho intermediate level in Xo. 1 rife hasbeen advanced a further distanco of 10ft., making a total of 24ft. to date. The reef, measuring about 4ft. wide, is becoming more solid, and zinc blend and sulphides are to be seen in the quartz when broken. No. 1 winze: Two shifts have been engaged in sinking this winze f and sft. ndded to the distance, making if total of 22ft. At this point a. clay head has been met with, with sandstone ' behind, which may prove to be the footwall of the parallel reef. As we aro sinking in the extreme hangingwell of all the quartz, I intend sinking a. few feet further before cross-cutting to prove the same. Parallel reef. south faceThis face has been advanced 14ft. for the week, making a. total of 201 ft. to date. The reef, although not so big, continues to show a little gold. 570 crosscut: Two shifts have advanced this face an additional lift., making a. total of 94ft. on tho line of reef. The fnoe at present is all quartz, measuring about sft. wide, and occasionally shows a little gold. No. 3 rise: This rite is up n total distance or 22ft. from the floor of the drive. At a height of 18ft. a clay head came In from the hanging-wall, and disturbed the reef almost cutting the quartz completely off. At present there is about 12in. of quartz shorting, and to all appearances is making again. Sunbeam rise: There is no change to report from this face. I iim hiking iiimnl 6ft. of quortz in the rim. with no walls in view.