CONDITIONS IN BERWICKSHIRE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 12 January 1921, Page 9

CONDITIONS IN BERWICKSHIRE

A letter written on 17th November '.from a farmer in Berwickshire to a friend in Dunedin contains the foblowing paragraphs of general interest: “Wo Jiave not'had any snow as yet, but there have been some ’sharp frosts. We have- got our potatoes lifted and stored, and the crop has been an exceptionally good ofie. " Wet weather has been experienced 'for the corn harvest, which is therefore late, and , there’is a good deal of Bad coi’h in the country. This year the prices at present are: Wheat, 87/- to 94/-; barley, 55/- to .110/-; oats, 45/- to 60/k, all per quarter. Rabbits are selling at 3/6 per pair, ducks at 5/- each, old liens 2/-, chickens 4/- each; wood pigeons 1/3 each, common pigeons lid each; butter 4/- per lb, eggs 5/4 per dozen, potatoes £6 10s per ton; hay £9 10s per ton, barley straw £4 10s per ton, oat straw £5, per ton, bread 1/5 per 41l> loaf, sugar 1/3 per lb,'but the latter'is to be reduced 2d ehprtly. Everything else is correspondingly dear. For a common suit of clothes to wear every day I paid £8 Bs. Prohibition is the principal subject in Scotland at present, but as far as the polling has go/ie, indications are 1 thht the people are dead against it. We have not voted in Berwickshire yet. There arc three issues ; No license, no change,, and reduction, put T notice that a large number are voting ‘no change.’ Wo have had a miners’ strike,’ which was to paralyse the country, but the Government has got it patched up until the New’Year. The miners are to have a rise of 2/- pet shift if the output- of coal i® increased, so we will see how they get on. Coal is dear. We paid £2 10s for one ton, and 11/- for carting it .from ICelso,; but We'get plenty of firewood. Practically all the woods here are being cut down, so there is ftp shortage of'fuel. The landlords are selling nearly all their wpbd, and a pit of them- are selling thteir estates too, while the .farmers' are buying their farms and turning landlord.” , ■ !