PALMERSTON ITEMS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 13, 16 January 1909, Page 9

PALMERSTON ITEMS.

[Ex Telegraph. — SraciAi. xo Thb Post.} PALMERSTON N., This Day. Tho production of honey was decreased to a great extent in this district owning to the almost entire absence of settled weather this season. Instead /of ths usual output of thirty tons, it is anticipated that only six or seven tons will be sold from Palmerston. "with honey at £40 and £45 a ton, the 1, «s is considerable to local apiarists. 'Steps are being taken to form a Beekeepers' Association in Palmerston, and a visit is expected from Mr. Hopkins, the Government Apiarist. Mr. D. Buick's election expenses for the Palmerston seat were £99 12s 6d for the first ballot, and £48 16s 7d for the second ballot. Mr. G. E. Owen, one of tho veterinary surgeons brought out by Mr. Gilruth, who has been in private practice here, has accepted a Government appointment, and will be stationed at Ashburton, for which place ho leavea next week. PRICE OF WOOL. THE DECLINE IN AUCKLAND. fPHESB ASSOCIATION.! AUCKLAND, 15th January. At this afternoon's meeting of the Auckland Agricultural Association the question of tho fall in the price of wool and tho comments of the buyers on the get-up and preparation of Auckland wool were relerred to. Mr. Isaac Gray said they had gone to the Auckland sale last Wednesday expecting an increase of a halfpenny oi a penny per lb in the pnet. of wool Instead, there had been a decline. What was the reason? At the Auckland sale buyers had been conspicuous by their absence. There was no competition, and the bidding waa anything but spirited, many lots being passed in. The question arose whether something could not bo done so as to arrange the dates of the wool sales in order that the buyers might-visit one centre af tsr another. Tke sales should be arranged in rotation, so that tho buyers in the south could come up to Auckland. But they were not so arranged, and the big sales in the south no doubt overshadowed those in the north, which were not so big. They had reflections cast at tho Auckland growers, which were not deserved, and it was perhaps desirable to consider the proposal emanating from one man that tho growers should combine to send tho whole Auckland clip Home direct. In. his opinion, three sales were unnecessary in Auckland, and two sales in the season should be enotigh. On the. motion of Mr. Salmon it was agreed to ask the Wool Brokers' Association to lake steps to arrange the Aucklan-d wool sales to fellow in rotation those held in the south. BRITISH v. GERMAN GOODS. x QUESTION OF PREFERENCE AUCKLAND, 15th January. The question of preference for British goods over German manufactures was Drought up at to-day's meeting of the Harbour Board in committee, during a discussion as to the tenders for the twelve new cranes that the board is going to procure The engineei of tho board (Mr. W. H. Hamer) and Mr. Stanfey Bright' (consulting engineer and electric engineer to the London and India Docks) reported in favour of the lender of a German firm, Messrs. Nabcl and Kaernpe, whose tender, after including the 10 per cent, preference duty imposed on German goods, was still the lowest. The next lowest tender was that of the English firm of Metsrs. Babcock and Wilcox. Mr. J. B. Macfarlane struck tiie patriotic keynote by saying that he Und always heard that nothing could bsat British machinery for conscientious workmanship and superior durability, and he also indicated thac the Harbour Board should follow oufc the preferential policy that New Zealand had adopted. Mr. H. J. Braillcy considered that the difference in price might mean that there was a great difference in the quality of the crane. Eventually the committee deferred further consideration of tha matter , for a 'fortnight. 4 DEATH-BED BEQUEST. REEFTON, 15th January. Yesterday an elderly man named C. iL Anderson suddenly died at Blackwatcr. 'J o-day it was found that he had £180 in his possession. When dying he turned to a mate, and told him he could have all his money No relatives of deceased are known here. No further particulars are available.