FERTILIZERS ADVANCING IN PRICE

Nelson Evening Mail, 18 May 1917, Page 5

FERTILIZERS ADVANCING IN PRICE

LACK OF SHIPPING SPACE, The position in regard to all classes of fertilizers and artificial manures is at present extremely acute. Just recently there -have been all-round, increases in prices, totalling;, on the average, 30 per cent. It now costs, approximately, £6 12s 6d to land superpnosphates, as against £5 10s in September last. x A similar advance \has' been made in all the lower class fertilizers. -" As to the higher class varieties, sulphate of potash is a typical example. Before the war it was purchaseable at from £23 to £2s' per ton, -whereas it is now up as high afc £4B. The prime reasoji for the big advance of imported fertilizers is . the scarcity of shipping. 1% is.now practically impossible to secure space.for even one ton of phosphates irom South' Australia Fertilizers are still rising in price, and farmers are urged, to J>uy.r»w instead of waiting iiritit September or October next, when it is Anticipated that prices will have advanced at least another 25 per cent, all'round.—Post.

PERSONAL ffEMS Mr Samuel Eden has received word that his onlyi son, Private K. Eden, is seriously ill in the Tidworth MilitaryHospital. The death has occurred at New Plymouth of Mr Daniel Berry, an old resident, well known in the hardware trade and through his connection with the late Sir Alfred Cadman in ironsand enterprises.—Press Association. The late Mr W. A. Rentoul, whose death was reported yesterday leaves a grown up family of eight: Mrs D. Blair. Dunedin; Mrs P. Clarke, Vanguard street, Nelson; Mrs F. P. Kenah, Hamilton; Mrs J. D. de Montalk, Opotiki; Miss J. Rentoul, Takaka; Mr V. Rentoul, Christchurch; Mr J. Rentoul, Hamilton, Mrs B. Rentoul, serving in Egypt. Mr S- Rentoul, second son was drowned in the S.S. Penguin, while relieving the 3rd engineer.

Captain R. Neville, of the Union Steam Ship Company, who is widely known in New Zealand shipping circles, is retiring after spending 41 years in the Union Company's service {says the. Otago Daily Times). He entered it as second officer, arid during the last 34 years he has been master, at one tuhe r ; or another, of practically every steamer in the company's service. His fine record as a master is therefore a long-established one, and he is one of the best known and most popular captains in Australasian waters. In recognition of his long services the directors of "the Union Company made Captain Neville a presentation at Dunedin on Monday. In making the presentation, Mr John Roberts, CJU.G. man- of directors) referred to his long record of service, and voiced the company's regret that Captain Neville had reached the time for retiring.

Mr and -Mrs E. Hoult, of Wai-iti, celebrated their 50th anniversary of their marriage on May 14th at their residence, "The Willows," by a family reunion, writes our Wakefield correspondent, consisting of four sons and four daughters still living (one son and one daughter having died some years ago), and 13 grand children. Mr and Mrs Hoult have lived at their present home practically all their married life, and were engaged for a number of years in -the saw-milling business, but for some time now they nave lived a retired life, and have devoted themselves to the interests of the district and by their unfailing TiospitaHty and kindness they have endeared themselves to their neighbours, and a wide circle of friends, no one need wish for a better testimonial that the respect and esteem of the people with -whom they have been for so long associated. Mr and Mrs Hoult can rest assured that they have that, also their best wishes for their future health and comfort. As a souvenir of the occasion, the family •presented them with a nicely upholstered morris chair each. These appropriate gifts are mucn appreciated, not only for their utility but also the spirit in which they were given/