"ON THE WING."

Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, Issue 17, 9 November 1894, Page 6

"ON THE WING."

-». A LOT OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION. SOMETHING ABOUT PEOPLE I HAVE MET. ALSO ABOUT NEW ZEALAND'S PARLIAMENT. [By Eustt Cuss.] A trip up North opens one's eyes— jusl aa Spring unlocks the flowers to paint tbe laughing soil. And there was scarcely a time more suitable for undertaking it than the middle of October, when from ono end of the North Island to the other, and in some parts of Canterbury as well, Nature was fully dressed : gardens gay, plains and uplands wearing the greenest of green tints, and bush-clad hills vioing with eaoh other for majesty of appearance, variety of coloring, and other things pleasing to the eye. STOCK LUXURIATE on the North Island plains, where cattle are almost obscured in consequence of the extraordinary fecundity of the soilproducing a pasturage which would make the teeth of some South Islanders water. Nor is the area confined to a few limited spots, as many bave supposed — as far as the eye can reach thero are level plains and rolling downs, almost literally " flowing with milk and honey," and with the improved shipping and driving facilities tbat may be expected in due course the lot of the grazier of the North should be an extremely happy one. The bush, too, is now a substantial source of revenue, and promises to become increasingly so, and while the hum of the circular saw, the more modest music of the cross-cut, and tbe steady stroke of the axeman's friend is heard, thoughts naturally revert to the enormously increased output of stock and grain there will be as clearances are effected and capital land rendered capable of being' grassed and settled upon by a happy and contented yeomanry. RELICS OF OLDEN TIMES. A few strolls through the bush in the Hawke's Bay district are worth more than the fatigue they involve. A friend accompanied me and pointed out all the salient features and all the remarkable curiosities. It is nothing unusual to come across, in the old native fighting country, human bones, left there by some dusky warrior or intrepid white, who paid the penalty following upon rash adventure in the wild interior or upon meeting with an adversary who yearned for blood and ruthlessly shot down anyone he might deem an intruder. Many an unfortunate now Sleeps the sleep that knows uot breaking, Morn of toil nor night of waking j many a mother, many a father, has vainly hoped for the return of a son whose flesh was the prey of vultures, and whose bones, since whitened and dismembered, are now kicked hither and thither by the careless wanderer through the dense forest. potatoes: gore's recobd. But it must not be inferred that the whole attention of Northerners is devoted to stock and grain, and coming from great things to, small, it may be recorded that there have been sundry distributions of potatoes amongst tbe settlers, and some remarkably good yields have been reported, though the averages were much reduced by the fact that a number of recipients of seed had their ground flooded, and the potatoes were in consequence almost ruined. Average yield from lib of seed : Magnum Bonum ... ... 131 b Bruce 12_lb Main Crop Kidney ... 111 b Imperator „, ... 16ilb Sutton's Early Regent ... l*2lb Sutton's Abundance ... 91b Some Ensign readers will like to see details regarding Brace sowings, and the best are appended :

"Hands across the seas !" Mr David Dun. You seem to have struck it with the Invercargill man, and not to have fared badly with most of the others. It should be mentioned that Mr J. Douglas was grower for the Department, and, omitting the Bruce, the results he obtained from other varieties were :— Magnum Bonum, 2121bs seed, 5745 1bs crop; Main Crop Kidney, 210—4406; Imperator, 202—4672; Sutton's Early Kegent, 35—1287; Sutton's Abundance, 30-451. . MONEY IN FEUITJ From potatoes to fruit is an easy " translation." This is a matter which principally concerns the North. Will it be believed that New Zealand's imports for last financial year (March, 1093-4) were 19,486,7041b5, valued atL98,261; While the total export of the colonialgrown article was only 44,7841b5, valued at L 4112 ? Of this quantity Invercargill exported 501bs, valued at Ll ! It imported 329,3941b5, valued at L 3074, and a good deal of this was dutiable. In the North the apple, pear and plum grow to great perfection, but some of the orchards nave been badly treated, the codlin-moth and other insect and fungoid pests having obtained a strong footing. In others, however, there is a freedom from insects, and all kinds of fruit flourish. Tho extensive cultivation of the citrus family is advocated by many, and berry-fruits should receive more attention. One orohardisfc near Auckland recently sold the product of an acre of plum-tree land anu realised a net profit of LSO. Of the South Island I fear a sorrier picture even would have to be drawn, fruit-culture being much neglected, the , orchards uncultivated, and the trees overrun with scale insects and several forms of fungi. Generally good fruit can be raised, and especially is this the case ou (to fpidflvMn i» 0»tMl Otego, mid j»fi

the Lakes, where there is abundant heat, almost a continuous sunshine, and a low percentage of atmospheric humidity. With combination amongst growers and with extensive planting, fruit-growing in the parts specially named should soon become a source of considerable wealih. CHEESE AND BUTTER. There was an increase in butter export for the financial year of 10,838 cwt., valued atL31,943, but there was a decrease in cheese of 8949 cwt., valued at L 14.922. This appears to be accounted for by a number of shipments which should have been despatched in March being held back. Factories and creameries shew an increase of 74, tbeir number now being 178. " New Zealand is quite the typical dairy country she has been called," says Mr C. E. Valentine, chief dairy expert ; " there is her undulating surface, her numerous springs and bountiful supply of pure water, and her sweet and nutritious herbage. She is blest with frequent showers of rain and enjoya comparative immunity from drought. The fact that tha cows can be kept out at grass in this colony for the greatest part of the year is of itself a very great advantage in the production of butter and cheese." The expert, I think at Wyndham, pointed out that the three prime factors to be borne in mind in tho development of the industry are, — (1) To adopt the most improved system of manufacture; (2) to us© every precaution in insuring that the butter and cheese being shipped are of uniform quality and as nearly as possible in their normal condition ; and (3) to see that they are fairly dealt with when they reach the foreign market. It would be absard to imagine that England and other populous countries will ever prove to be a convenient dumping ground for a secondrate article, In regard to the second point, objection is taken generally to the practice of supplying milk to the factories in all sorts and conditions. Thero ought, not to be the least hesitation in making use in every dairy of the centrifugal separator, ani the hand-power machine is certainly within the means of the smallest producer. It furnishes the most approved method of removing the cream from the milk. Mr Valentine is bottlingup a lot of imformation and one of his " points " is an insistence that London should not be regarded as tbe only true receiving centre for our produce. The time has come jvhen we must push our produce further afield by making direct consignments to other centres, such as Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Bristol, South Wales, and the centre of England. To these only secondary qualities now find their way, this of course being most prejudical to New Zealand. They should know what we actually can produce. Mr Valentine recommends a system of experiments on land, to ascertain its suitability for growing certain kinds of milk-raising crops in newly cleared districts ; the appointment of a Government trade expert in England ; and the holding of periodical State shows of colonial produce in Great Britain. He raises strong objections to piggeries being in close proximity to factories, and urges that we should make our own condensed milk : more than L 14,000 worth was imported last year. Southland, with seventeen cheese factories and one butter factory, produced 2,475,0001bs of cheese and 69,2301 bs of butter during tbe financial year; Otago, 12 cheese and seven butter factories and eight creameries, 2,182,500— 804,807 ; Taranaki, seven cheese and 26 butter factories and five creameries, 1,372,500 — 1,690,961 ; Auckland, five cheese and nine butter factories and 21 creameries, 675,000—1,713,461. These are the leading exporting districts. In Taranaki 73 hands are employed, Otago 62, Auckland 52, Southland 43. A truce to more statistical information. Beside me are heaps of figures, but those _i most interest to Southland are given i perchance some of them may be fore* stalled by information receivable direct from Wellington* The journey from Dunedin to Wellington does not possess muoh attractiveness, and, besides, the various points of interest about the City of the Plains are so familiar to most of your readers that it would be wearisome iteration to serve " cauid kail het again." , LET US HASTEN TO PARLIAMENT. It was in full swing, and I entered the building with reverence and awe, which speedily changed to disgust and impatience. For Parliament is not what it is cracked up to be, and so long as the present voting power exists, so long is there no hope for material improvement. You ask why ? If you looked round the present House and then carafully scrutinised the faces of the members of the Southland County Gounoil, an unhesitating verdict would be pronounced in favor of tbe latter for intelligence and capacity of administration. It is the women's vote and the Cold-water Party who are responsible for this lamentable decadence, because if a man could command those and < perhaps the Bible-in-schools vote and a few stragglers, he had a very good show of making the running hot for first-class i men. Captain Russell narrowly escaped defeat on these grounds ; Messrs Rollesion, Richardson, Ehodes and other good men were temporarily relegated to comparative obscurity for the same reason. They would, even as the rank and file of a party, refuse to give a silent vote on such important financial measures as our present Government proposed; they would refuse to leave the chamber whim directed by Government to do so lest their views might get a shaking ; they would refuse to move any resolution handed to them on a slip of paper by the Government or their Whips. No, j they would look after finances, taxation I and such like, of which half the members constituting the present House have no grasp whatever. In the early part of the session supporters of the Government were tractable enough, but even worms turn — (thank Heaven, Parliament is not in session, else I might be called to the bar of the House) —and, as you have no doubt been advised, implicit obedience could not be secured even by the Hon. 11. Seddon. He sees the writing on the wall, and unless a very mistaken impression has been formed by well-informed politicians in the North, the constituencies have at last realised the position and appreciate the heart-breaking task any new Government will have in putting the affairs of tbe QQkny strait But'

I urn moralising, and that is none of my business. A MATTER OF ANCIENT HISTORY. My eyes naturally turned to the Ministerial benches, whereon I observed Messrs j, Seddon and Ward. How memories of the past flit across my brain ! Many years ago— l fear to say how many— _ny duties took me co a seaport town in Southland. In that town was a particularly crabbed butcher whose avocation necessitated the possession by him of a horse, and Bucbepalus was allowed to roam the streets by night and assist in dispensing joints of meat to various customers in the daytime. Happy seaport !— there was no D. P. M'Kenzie or Hugh Stewart then. Happy horse !•— his round was a short one, because the port was girt by hills unscalable by the . lotus-eaters of years ago. But one night a band of young fellows made a descent upon the horse and also upon a paintpot. They liked not the butcher, and while he slumbered and slept they painted hia horse green and cast it adrift on the highways. Next morning the knight of the cleaver was beside himself with rage, and after enquiries he alighted bn the " gang," and unless my memory plays me false, they had to suffer sundry pains and penalties for their freak. But what I wanted to get down to was this : Were those flashing eyes on that eventful night in that seaport town not the exact "spit," to use a vulgarism, of a pair tbat I saw on the Ministerial benches ? | I spoke of the DECADENCE OF PARLIAMENT. I Dnring the visits I wasted upon it only one really good debate took place, that on the Midland Eailway. The speaking power is on the side of the Opposition, limited in numbers though it be. Captain Russell towers head and shoulders above all others. His only fault, if fault it be, is that he is too gentlemanly to descend to the coarseness of a Seddon, the flippancy of a Eeeves, or the political trickery of a Ward. These three are practically the Ministry. Mr John McKenzie confines his attention practically to Lands, Mr Cadman is seldom in his place through illness, and Mr Carroll is too lazy to bother his head about anything but a few Native matters. Next to Captain Eussell, Sir E. Stout and Mr H. D. Bell, though the latter is on the heavy side; then Messrs Ward, Reeves, and George Hutchison ; then the ruck. Amongst these is Eiccarton Russell, an ex.parson I should imagine. Addressing the House one evening he commenced — "My brethren," only to have the subdue put on him in such a marked manner that he has faithfully stuck to " Hon. gentlemen " ever since. It doesn't take much to make the House laugh, but I will only weary you by two little episodes. " Sir," said the Hibernian member for Egmont expanding his chest, " I did not get into this House by truckling to the Government, and I thank them for nothing. No, Sir, thank Heaven I stand on my own bottom." One gentleman was rude enough to suggest that an hon. member generally stood on his legs, and in a minute or so the joke caught on and the House was uncontrollable for a season, while blushes o'erspread the fair faces of occupants of the Ladies' Gallery. It is at inanities like these that members laugh, and I fancy I detected a sly twinkle in Captain Russell's eye when, later on, he got up and assured the House that "Ethiopian could not change his spots nor the leopard his skin." MEMBERS FOR SOUTHLAND. The Left Wing, or Opposition, clusters together in seats opposite the Treasury benches. Amongst them are Messrs Thomas Mackenzie and W. Fraser : both speak occasionally, only when they have something to say, and it is gratifying to know that they are held in respect by both sides of the H"use. Separated from the Left Wing by a narrow aisle sits Mr MoNab, who seems like a fish out of water and is fully expected to take his proper place in the House early next session. Certainly the Government have treated him shamefully for his disobedience, and their action in granting Ciutha more money than is allotted to the whole of Canterbury is not calculated to soothe his feelings or restore his confidence in the Government. Messrs Mackintosh and J. W. Kelly sit on the cross benches t the former always votes at his party's call, and the latter was up till recently regarded as " safe " for the Government. RENEWAL OF OLD ASSOCIATIONS. Our own G. F. is very much en evidence. Business engagements prevent his frequent attendance on the old fighting ground : he finds map-tracing, cigar-ette-smoking, and an occasional yarn with an old Southlander more profitable, more enjoyable, than listening to the twaddle talked by our so-called legislators. I fancy I detect a lingering desire on his part to again enter the political arena, bnt I have no authority for making any definite statement thereanent. Mr John Murdoch is just the samegood old Jphn ! He has a sawmill some miles out, but frequently comes into Wellington for the transaction of business. Tame and Co. is a well-known auctioneering firm, and Mr A. L. Wilson wields the hammer. Mr Donald Kellie is able to get about with the aid of a stick, and hopes to soon be in harness again. You are probably aware that on a windy afternoon he was driving a trap along a sideling, and, taking a sharp turn, " over went tbe show.", Result : A broken leg, a weary wait for assistance (which by a peculiar coincidence whs rendered by Mr Murdoch), and a lengthy sojourn in the Wellington Hospital. Mr T. E. Donne is still in charge of the railway station, and Mr Andrew Burns (formerly of Riverton and not unknown to many in Gore) has a paper at Petone and rubs along fairly well. There are many other Southlanders in the Empire City, but their names do not occur to me at the moment. THE LIQUOR LAWS: INROADS JiY SOUTHERNERS. Throughout the North Island the licensing laws are observed with marvellous strictness. 11 p.m. sees doors closed, and on Sundays it is next to impossible to slake a thirst unless you are introduced by a boarder or can satisfy the barman mt yoa m a boiwflde tomMw* I

Mr T. Surmau, formerly of Invercar- j gill, has an hotel at Balls ; Mrs Watson, one at Stratford ; and Mr Edwin Fisher, | at one time " mine host " at Deschler's, j has just entered into possession of a large j hostelry at Whakatene, between Gisborne ' and Auckland. The place is only approachable by water. We leave Welling" ton in the gloaming. There is a strong breeze and blinding rain, but the Mana* pouri Walks the water like a thing of life, and casts anchor off NAPIER. To the Spit we are conveyed by a launch. Efforts to build a breakwater so * as to enable ocean-going steamers to reach • the wharf have so far been futile, and the breakwater owing to recent storms and ( consequent inroads presents a very ragged ' appearance. and forbids the hope that the Melbourne boats will for a long time get better accommodation than thit afforded by the open roadstead. I naturally sought out your old stationmaster, Mr A. Graham. It was Sunday, and knowing he was a good young man hadn't died I planted myself outside the church I expected him to frequent. He was there, sure enough; so were his daughters, whose growth makes our old friend look aged. After mutual felicitations and a respite for lunch, we viewed the lions of Napier. It is a particularly clean and attractive town, and has ameneties of which it may well be proud. A day could be comfortably and profitably spent in its Public Gardens, and if some of the members of the Gore Domain Board would only pay them a visit they might pick up a wrinkle or two and. convert their howling wildernesses into pleasant parade grounds. 'Neath spreading palms, in sylvan nooks, in lovers' walks, what might not happen P and how many Goreans might hot in future years, with prattling children round their knees and with all the comforts of a home, rise up and call Mr Beattie blessed and sing his praises far and wide ? ON THE WALLABY. And who are tbese three buirldy cbiels approaching P None other than Messrs Maben and Mitchell, of Wyndham, and Mr J. Maogregor, of Mitchell and Co., Inveroargill. They have been on an extended trip farther North end express themselves delighted with the country and its people. ON TO GISBORNE. Another launch, another shattered breakwater, another clean and attractive town. Its streets are flanked by trees, and those who pine to be in " contiguity to shade " can walk beneath the weeping willows or leafy poplars, and secure complete immunity from the fierce rays of the sun. Mr L. T. Symes has charge of the Bank of Australasia here, and says he would not care to return to Gore. I can quite believe him— climate, offices, dwelling (a few hundred yards away), everything is in his favor. THAT QUEENSLAND FUND : LEGISLATION SUGGESTED. I had a talk with him over the Gore Cottage Hospital, in which he still takes a lively interest, and on the same subject I had a conversation with Mr McNab, M.H.R. In tbe course of it the moneys left over from tbe Queensland Relief Fund— a considerable amount — were mentioned, and the question arose, Could not these be diverted to something else, seeing they were no longer required for flood purposes? There are no lack of objects, but it did not come within my province to specifically name any of them. To divert the fond, Mr McNab said, would require a short Act ; so I would suggest, that the Borough Council and County Chairman take the matter up and seek for legislation. There is nothing like taking time by the forelock ; it should not be left over till near the assembling of Parliament. Mr V. G. Day I saw. It waa regrettable that the GENIAL VINCENT PYKE, still manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Gisborne, was out in the country, and I had to forego the pleasure of feeling the grip of his hand and hearing his cheery laugh. It is so seldom you meet a banker on fair grounds : it is generally " that little affair, you know," with a quiet but exceedingly expressive dig in tne ribs. But even troubles with bankers can be lightened if you only exercise caution, and, like the Apostle Paul, I have a " more excellent way " than the old one of undergoing a carpeting in the parlor of the man of gold : £ talk to him through the telephone, and all nervousness is cast to the winds. AUCKLAND AT LAST, and after renewing a few old acquaintances I spend the bulk of my time in the reading-room, free library, and art gallery. A week could be spent in the latter, which has been enriched by handsome gifts from the late Mr McKelvie , and Sir George Grey. Few people from the Mataura Valley have visited it, apparently; indeed, only one (Mr Thomas Green) beside myself. Would that you had a McKelvie, a Grey, or a Costley to make your Gore institutions more attractive ! The last-named alone donated over L 12,000 to the library, and the interest on this money is spent wholly on the purchase of new books. "SWEET (?) CHIMING BELLS." Talking about the free library reminds me that it is possessed of a chiming clock, and there are similar iniliotions in other cities. I call them " inflictions " advisedly. They try the nervous system. Tbey cause many a sleepless hour. Besides, you don't want to be reminded every quarter of an hour of the flight of time nnd the passing away of life. It was Shakespeare who wrote The clock abraids me with tbe waste of lime, and in his " Night Thoughts " Young spy* i hat Nought treads so silent as tho foot of time, HencQ we mistake our autumn for our prime. The civic authorities of the North— and the South too for that matter— are resolved that the tread of time shall be frequently recorded, but in these days of Waterburys it is not necessary to have striking docks on several eminences; If they act simultaneously ti-0 effect ie not 69 <

bad, but if there is the slightest backwardness on the part of one in coming up to time the results are decidedly ludicrous ; for instance, at Auckland there are two " strikers " in close proximity, and I was quite open to wager that 18 instead of 12 was the honr recorded on one occasion. CONCLUSION. But here (Sunday, October 28, 11.30 a.m.) are Sydney Heads, and I must bring my notes to a close. They have been written under difficulties. We were running light, and an angle of something less than 45deg. is not conducive to the formation of accurate lettering, nor are concerts starting early and closing late calculated to induce coherence of thought and olearness of expression. Such as the notes are, you are welcome to them, and if they only serve to bring up old recollections and to give acceptable information regarding our producing capacities and capabilities for expansion, I shall feel amply repaid. Peradventure I may write again, but I make no promises. Here by the way, is a sentimental poem found tied to a telegraph post between Southern Cross and Coolgardie. Clearly a disappointed, returning speculator has got 'em bad, but his views will have the concurrence of many who expected to make a fortune in a few days :-— D Coolgardie, d the track, Going there and coming back, D the goldfield, d the weather, D— -Coolgardie altogether.

Seed, Crop, lb. lb. J. Stewart, Appleby ... 5 129 L. Fraser, Waianiwa ... 5 62 P. Burke, Hedgefaope ... 4 104 G, Bain, Balclutha ... 5 311 T. Johnston, Taradale ... 5 105 F. W. Hales, Flat Point 1J 61 H, Allen, Oamara ... 5 150 J. Meson, Eawera ... 2£ 74 D. Gilbertson, Hamilton 5 48 , Chris. Mcßae, Invercar« gill 3 300 J. Douglas, Waikao Downs 204 6294 J, Kobiesou, Wairarapa 1 70