NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13490, 17 May 1907, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

'■ '-'■'■ ■ •'■ ■ ■■■■■ '■ ■■ .4 '• : . ' .■■■■■■•■-■■ ~ .... -3 Apamma' left for South! •' * ' ' Moura arrived from the South. •The musterers and shepherds of Nelson and Marlborough* have formed a union. A new* locomotive .-, for ■ the Auckland sectioji of the .New Zealand Government - railways has been shipped at Dunedin, and "should arrive in. Auckland to-morrow. The value of the branch of the New Zealand. Tourist Bureau in Sydney may be estimated from the fact that Mr. E. H. Montgomery, who is in charge, has, within a - few months, had over 14,000 callers. Many of these have since come on to New Zealand, and settled in the colony. ■ i'he number of small and unaccountable fires which have taken place in Palmerston North 'recently is giving cause for some uneasiness. Out of the five outbreaks dealt with last week, it is stated that two were decidedly suspicious, as the firemen discovered traces of kerosene having been used to create blaze. The Cheviot correspondent of the Christchurch Press writes that it is not generally known that there are indications of petroleum on the Cheviot Estate. It is stated that an expert will visit the district in a few . weeks to. investigate. Much of the water obtained from the wells in the township gives signs 'of the presence of.oiL A representative of the Nestle and AngloSwiss Condensed Milk Company is reported- as' on his way ,to Australia to conduct experiments and report on the most desirable localities 5 for the establishment of factories. __ It is stated as probable that the company will erect two or three con- ; densing .factories in Australia and' New Zealand. 1 ' - .• . The rabbits -arriving at the Southland frown meat works this season are much ', more numerous than those which came orward last'year, and, if the* supply is; maintained, the,'l9o6 figures will be doubled. Some farmers ; have found a difficulty <in ' retaining workmen, who are attracted Vby the'earnings of rabbit-trappers to' enter on that occupation, and it is stated that some trappers are netting as much' as £12 a week. ■ • «