PRESS ASSOCIATION.] RAIN IN THE SOUTH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 137, 9 December 1908, Page 3

PRESS ASSOCIATION.] RAIN IN THE SOUTH.

TIMARU, Bth December. A useful rain (about half-an-inch) fell last night and to-day. It was much needed m the country. Snow fell on even tho low hills. DUNEDIN, Bth Decemoer. Welcome falls of rain and snow were experienced in Central Otago yesterday, and as a result crops and mining will be materially benefit ted. In some districts, however, tho outlook is far from promising. In Ida Valley the crops lare reported to bo in worse condition than was the case last year, and at Earnsclcugh and Bald Hill Flat they are reported to be ruined, while the continued heat has> ripened strawberries and cherries more quickly than was desired. IMPORTED LABOUR. CHRISTCHURCH, Bth December. In Wellington last week" Mr. Ell interviewed the Hon. J. M'Gowan in regard to the influx of imported labour, and urged that some check should he placed upon it Mr. M'Gowan, who is m charge of the Immigration Department, said that he realised that something should be done in connection ■with the heavy stream of labour which had sat in, and that the country should absorb the present labour before bringing immigrants in greater muabers. Discussing tne position o£ assisted immigrants, Sir Joseph Ward said today that ho /had cabled instructions to London that no Government assistance m regard to passages should be given to any persons except small farmers and domestic helps. Fairly large numbers of people, however, were coming into New Zealand on their own account, and it waa desirable that those who did come should bo gradually absorbed before further assistance wa« given, except to the two classes he had named. THE PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO. NELSON, Bth December. The Colonist to-day warmly advocates the claims of Mr. R. M'Kenzie, member for Motueka, to the portfolio of Public Works. After alluding to Mr. M'Kenzie's qualifications as an experienced contractor and a successful and popuuar representative for a very long period, the article points out that neither Nelson, Wcsiland, nor Marlborough has a. representative in the Cabinet, though tormerly they had one- each, and that Mr. M'Kenzie's appointment, while it .woujd gratify thue provinces, would be acceptable to the Dominion as a whole. NAPIER LOAN PROPOSALS. NAPIER, Bth December. The Napier Borough Council at a meeting to-night again discussed the question of iown impiovements. At a previous meeting it was decided to submit to ratepayers loan proposals totalling £50,500. "made up of £35,000 for tramways and £15,500 for road works. At to-night i meet ing additional loan proposals totalling £79,750 were agreed to for submission to ratepayers as follows : —Destructor and duplication of waterworks, £15,000 ; drainage, £35,000; Municipal Theatre, £25,000 ; park Improvements, £3750 ; fire brigade staiion, £1000. The grand total of the proposals is £130,000. The council was not unanimous in some of the items in the proposals.

SOUTHERN GRAIN MARKET. CHRISTCHURCH, Bth December. There is some enquiry for milling wheat, and a fair amount offering, but sellers are generally asking 4s 3d at country stations, and except, pcihaps, for pearl alone this price is about a penny above buyers' limits, and no business is, therefore, resulting. The Fame may be said about oats, for which there is a limited dem?nd, but sellers' and buyers' ideas of value are at variance. MINERS AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION. REEFTON, Bth December. The Globe miners absolutely refused to entertain the proposal to submit to nvM^ical •oxamination regarding "'miners' complaint." There will be a meeting at Blr.ckwater on. Sunday next. SOUTHLAND SUMMER SHOW. INVERCARGILL, Bth December. Ths Southland Summer Show opened to-day in splendid weather, when sheep and cattle- were judged. In both sections th© quality was an improvement on that of last year's exhibits, though tho numbers were smaller. There were very few outside entries in cattle, and the prize?, therefore, mostly stayed at home. In sheep, local liock-masters held' their own, oxcept in Corriedajes, in which class Mr. John Stringfellow, of Canterbury, secured all honours. The show of fat sheep and lambs was particularly fine. The weather promises well for "People's Day" to-morrow, and the prospects are that the show will be the most successful yet held. AUTOMOBILE RELIABILITY trials; CHRISTCHURCH, Bth December, riiirty-fivo entries for the Canterbury Automobile Association's reliability trial*, to bo held at the end of this year, have been received, 21 being in the trade class, and 14 private owners. A NOVEMBER GOLD RETURN. AUCKLAND, Blh December. During the month of November the Talisman Consolidated crushed and treated 8604 tons of ore tor a yield of bullion valned at £23,173 11s 4d. The co*ts tor the month were £1 103 lOd per ton.