WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11888, 11 May 1899, Page 6

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[Fkom Ottr Coekesponbent.] WELLINGTON, May 10. . I learn on excellent authority that the Premier severed l his connection with the Anglo-Continental Gold Syndicate nearly four months ago. A few months ago a communication was received by the Department of Commerce and Industries from a well-known New York manufacturer, inquiring as to theSest means of obtaining a hundred thousand rabbitskins from this colony. After some correspondence, an appeal was made to Mr Fergus for information on the subject. In reply, he stated that the English and American buyers had- several agents in the South Island, buying _up rabbitskins on a cash' credit, but, owing to' the enormous export of frozen rabbits in the fur, the skin industry had fallen off. It is said that nearly two, and a half millions of frozen rabbits were exported in one year. Mr James M’Kerrow, Chairman of the Land Purchase Board, and Mr J. W. A. Marchant, Commissioner of Crown Lands, have inspected three estates in the Rangitikei district, which are under offer to the Government for close settlement: All the land is described as being well adapted for dairy farming. -■ In consequence of the small suburban boroughs haying refused to adopt the Dairy Industry Act, the Mayor of Wellington proposes to ask the Government to bring the Act into force in the city, and he will suggest that eveiy supplier and retailer of milk should be registered, and not be allowed to supply until a certificate has been issued by the health officer. The Government veterinarian will inspect the outside dairies and the herds from which the outside supply comes, whilst the Council’s officers will see that the retailers have sanitary and proper premises.