Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 May 1936, Page 4

The Wanganella, which arrived at Sydney to-day, escaped the worst of the stormy conditions in the Tasman, passengers stating they had quite-a fair trip. ~ A return of 3401 b of butter-fat an acre is expected from the winning pasture in the North Taranaki championship. The pasture is on the farm of Mr J. N. Blyde, Lepperton.

A period of marked expansion, equalling the boom days of the postwar period, is-being experienced by the sawmilling industry in the North Island, states the “Waikato Times.” - With tiie scene of cutting operations i steadily shifting east and north across I the King Country, there has been a prolific growth of mills, but the brisk demand for housing timber of all classes remains unsatisfied. It is estimated that over 40 mills are operating throughout the King Country, and when the tract of bush known as the Tongariro Timber Company’s block is opened up, added activity is anticipated. Mangapeehi, Taumarunui, and Waimiha each have a quota of six mills, and there are 10 operating in the country between National Park and Tokaanu. There are at least a further six companies working in the Raurimu district. Ample evidence of the high cost of living with which, in addition to physical hardships, the early gold miners of Otago had to cope is contained in a note book that was the property of Mr Matthew Paterson during his days in Gabriel’s Gully. Mr Paterson, who was later well known as the county engineer in the Clutha district, kept an interesting record of his activities on the goldfields in the early ’sixties, and on the pages devoted to details of expenditure at Gabriel’s Gully one nds such entries as: Dish (presumably I gold washing dish), 12s; shovel, 14s; bucket, ss; cradle and tent, £4; pick, 15s; two loaves of bread, 6s; lib butter, 3s; £lb tea, 2s 6d; 21b sugar, 2s 6d; 81b beef, 8s; 61b mutton, 6s; two pies, 2s; lib coffee, 3s; 2slb bacon, 4s 6d; newspaper, 6d; and cost of sending letter to Dunedin by coach, 2s 6d. The note book is in the possession of Mr Paterson’s daughter, Mrs R. W. Ayson, of Ngapuna.