OTAGO.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1129, 22 February 1870, Page 3

OTAGO.

High Pbiced Wool. —We areinformed by the Hoxx. M. Holmes that at the November Wool Sales'he obtained 2s. 2d. for wethei'-wool; the highest price realised for any New Zealand fleece wool, indeed, 2d higher thau any other brand. Tlie lambs' wool fetched _s. id. The wool in question was from the Castle Rock Station, Southland. Tlie sheep on this station are far inferior to those afc Awa Moa, where the shoep are the pick of the best blood in Prussia, Germany and, America. The wool oi these choice sheep would doubtless fetch even higher prices were ifc possible to wash them at Awa Mod. I his, however, is, we are informed, impossible, owing to the hardness of tbe water by its impregnation with lime, and consequently the Awa Moa wool has to be sent homo in the grease. Ms*. Holmes has, we are informed, for several years past obtained a higher price for wool than any other New Zealand grower. — Oamarit, Times. Sale of Birds. —A number ofthe birds which were brought from England by fche Warrior Queen, for the Otago Acclimatisation Society, were submitted to public competition by Messrs. M'Landress, Hepburn, and Co., on Saturday. The prices averaged were* blackbirds; -305.; skylarks, 50s; and goldfinches, from 80s. to 355. Oue of two thrushes realised £1. A great many persons visited the feathered immigrants, and the remark was frequently made as these souvenirs of home were seen and heard —•'• It does one's heart godd." Great satisfaction is felt afc fche success which has so far been achieved, and there is no doubt, we think, that all tlie descriptions of birds received will be permanently established in the district. — Daily Times, Feb. 14. Thatches, the "inimitable," is giving a series of his popular performances in Dunedin. Divine Service was yesterday celebrated for tjie first tinie iii St. Andrew's Church, Walker-street. Three services were held during fche day, the first being afc 11 o'clock, when the sermon was preached by the .Rev. Mr. Johnston, Moderator of Synod, from the text '" Whoso house are we ?" Hebrews iii, G. The Bey. Mr. Williams preached at the afternoon service, and the Rev. Mr. Serimgeour preached iv the evening from Zechariah vi, 13, " Even He shall -build tho temple of the Lord ; and He shall bear the glory." The Church was well filled during the several services. —Ibid. Growth of Flax.—With respect fco the growth of New Zealand flax, Mr. W. A. Mosley, M.P.C., writes to the Bruce Standard as follow* : —" In tho latter cud of November and beginning of Decomber, some flax was cut in a paddock of mine, upon Inch Clutha, for Mr. Mansford's flax-mill. The flax was in its wild state. The other day, I measured the growth of those plants which wci. cut and, to my surprise, I found the fresh growth to be. on an average four feet in length. They had been cut close, I measured a number of plants to be sure of the fact. Now, sir, four feet growth of fibre, in about nine weeks, in its wild state, is a fact many persons may not be aware of. You well observe the land on the banks of the Clutha River may be in ado valuable by the growth of flax ; bufc sir, tho land will i have to bo drained first. The proper way to do this is to cut broad drains with culverts, and self-acting valves to stop the back water. The flats may bo drained by these means, and any overflow from floods may be quickly carried off. I may remark that, upon the Island where drains are cut on my laud, flax springs up, and grows with great rapidity. Now, ibr the second part. New Zealand flax, if properly dressed, ought to render England independent of Russian hemp. Tho New Zealand flax is so plentiful in both the large islands, and the climate so favourable to its growth, thafc we may compete with the serf labour of Russia in the markets of Europe ; bufc, those who engage iv the dressing of flax should be care ltd to make a good article, and tho people of New Zealand may reap great benefit from its cultivation ; for, by proper management, it may yefc become the great staple of the country." Tue Ca_._j\ tdinis have been giving concerts in Dunedin, and were abottfc to proceed to the country districts. Graving Dock. —Tho construction of tho graving dock at Port Chalmers is progressing rapidly. The excaration is nearly completed, aud the masonry work is being proceeded with. A great portion of the stone, obtained from a quarry iv the neighbourhood, is dressed, and ready for setting.—lndependent, Feb. 12. Bad Weather, for the Crop.-. —The wet weather which has prevailed during tho last few days has, as wo feared, greatly impeded harvest operations in some of the country districts. Afc Tokomairiro tho Bruce Standard states that a very largo quantity of grain has been hurriedly cut down by the reapers, which, from want of labourers, lias been left unstaeked. The long continuance of wet in connection with the warm temperature of the season may induce an amount of sprouting most injurious to the quality of wheat and barley especially. The Tokomairiro w<as greatly swollen j'esterday, insomuch that its banks were overflowed, and we noticed with regret that in some low-lying fields the sheaves of grain were actually floating. A very little additional rise would have swept away many stooks iv such localities. —Ibid. The Flax Industry.—The demand for flax machines i.s now in excess of the supply. About four a week are made at the foundry of My. Wilson, who is at present turning out " doublo machines," and 12 lately imported from Auckland by Mr. Manning, have all been sold. This, with the applications to the Waste Land Board for sites of flax mills, and for permission to cut flax, shows that tho new industry is rapidly gaining ground throughout the province. —Ibid.