LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1077, 24 August 1869, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. . Sib,— Will you kindly allow me.al cdriier in your valuable paper in answer to the Managing Direotor of the H.8.5.8.D., Co. of the _JOtU instant; With reference to the Auckland markets, it is well the M.D. has gone there ; he will perhaps learn how hollow his " 'assertions are, and totally without foundation, that market alone requiring more fat sheep than he asserts. . With regard to boiling, I would ask the M.D., with all his experience, upon what he bases his calculations. Is it on his own memorable purchase of Colonel L 's rams; <fee, ordtthis other magnificent one from Mr. K — ? If so, I have no doubt he has exceeded the mark. But what becomes of Mr. S — -s' little lot, weighing only 521bs: each ? Surely Colonel Eussell does not deny the truth of his oton assertidnS. 1 maintain that fat sheep weighing SOlbs., of the Merino breed, will give a yield of over 201b5., and in many instances 251b5., of tallow each, which, at its present value, would be an average of 7s; 4ds per head, leaving the skins to pay tho boiling and Other expenses, and, as they are wdrth 2s. each this month, it is fiillaniple. Many parties will say these figures dd not tally with the results of this season, but they' must remember that, with but two exceptions, nothing but the most miserable crawlers have been boiled, and if they want returns they must send fat sheep, selected by a good judge. With reference to the third paragraph 1 of M.D.'s letter, the public, I have no doubt,, wili ere long have a chance of deciding. The valuable information he derived in Wellington must have made quite an adept of him, and had I been simple enough to accede to his modest request of giving him a detailed account of the whole of my process, he would certainly have applied for letters patent. With regard to markets, if Colonel Russell's statement is correct that only 1200 sheep are required weekly for Auckland and the Thames, it would be next to useless sending there, and the home market must be. relied on. If so, let the company take the initiative and start curing for foreign consumption, and I havo no hesitation in stating that the following estimate, founded on practical experience, will bear favorable comparison with M.D.'s. It is well known that after shearing, any quantity of fat sheep can be purchased at ss. per head, and the result would be —

Estimating a sheep of 501bs. to give 201bs. cured meat and lOlbs. tallow, showa clear profit to company of 3s. Bd. per head on the transaction. — I am, &c, A. W. Lascelles, Late Manager H.8.5.8.D. Co. Sib,— Should any of your readers wish td experimentalise on the culture of tobacco, I shall be happy to give them seed enough for half an acre, which, with careful culture, would yield about 800lbs. of dried leaf. The seed should be now sown. H. S. Tiffen. Napier, Aug. 21, 1869. Sir, — It appears from the answer given by Mr. Fox to Mr. Stafford's enquiry, as to whether Mr. M'Lean was prepared to resign hi 9 office of Superintendent of Hawke's Bay, that we shall soon have the Council called together to elect a new Superintendent, and although it exists with the members to elect that officer, still I maintain the people should express an opinion in the matter, so as in some way to guide their members in their vote. That we shall ever have another Superintendent so universally popular as Mr.M'Lean is to be doubted ; at the same time we must hope that such a critical period will never again arise as we have passed through in safety, during the past few. years. The next Superintendent or ohairman ofthe County Board, will have to commence .by taxing the people to carry on the ordinary routine of government, and he must be satisfied without Executive Councils and such like formalities. Remour points at so many aspirants— amongst others Messrs. Tiffen, Ormond, Rhodes, A'Deane, and Ferard. I have no doubt all have their supporters, but whosoever the choice should fall on, the public should express an opinion before it is too late. — I am, &c, A Settlek. Sib, — I observe in your artiole of Friday,, you bring to notice the probability of gold being found in this province. It is to be hoped that this matter will be taken np with spirit. We heard of a specimen of. gold from tho Kaimanawa ranges being shown to Mr. Lowry some time back. Why were hot the enquiries followed up ? for of all the country in this locality likely to produce that precious metal, the Kaimanawa range, stretching round the Kawekas to Taupo, is the most likely place; to pay the search. It is a oountry of the same formation as the Thames, and up to the present time has never been explored. Tlien, again, the whole of the countrystretching from Patea by the Kawekas and Kaimanawa to Waikaremoaha along to the East Cape should be thoroughly searched. Would it not be a good plan to instruct and encourage the officers and men of the New Zealand Constabulary, when following the enemy, or marching through the country on any other errand, to search and collect specimens of rock, &c. — I am, Ac, Quabtz.

By 20001bs. preserved meat, at Gd. per lb. iv London 60 0 0 lOOOlbs. tallow, at Cd. per lb. in London... 20 16 8 30 cwt. refuse, at £2 10s ■ 3 15 0 75 8 4 Less shipping and agents expenses in Lon*. don deducted from account sales lOfc. 6cwt. 2qrs. 121b5.; at £7... ... ... 0 6 2 £60 2 2 Balance— profit... 18 8 5

Bbsum— Ca.

£ 8. a. To purchase of 100 sheep, at ss. per head 25 0 0 Boiling tallow and bones, at 6d. per head 210 0 Boning, curing, and packing, at 2s. per hd. 10 0 0 Casks, 1 ton 10 owt., at 70s. per ton 5 5 0 Cartage 1 10 0 Management and rental 20 0 Office rent 0 10 0 255. per cent, insurance on £75" Bs. -id. ..; 038 9 Balance ... 18 8 5 £a« 2 2

Expense— Db.