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New Zealand Mail, Issue 106, 15 February 1873, Page 14

Something new in the way of preparing colonial produce for other than the Australian markets has just been commenced (says the " Sydney Morning Herald") by a firm in Sydney—Messrs Leistikow and M'Minn, of 114 Sussex street. This firm has adopted the plan of placing butter in hermetically sealed tins of different sizes, and in form suitable for exportation. In appearance the tins are decidedly imposing, and the labels of the exporters with which they are adorned, are at once neat and appropriate. From a late South Australian exchange we learn that the working men in that colony must have fine times of it, for it is stated that during the week there have been many complaints as to the scarcity of hands, and the exorbitant rates asked for reaping. Farmers are offering 20s per acre and food for the best crops, but reapers are asking 255. This latter the farmers say they cannot afford to pay. They put there case thus : —Suppose they have 25 bushels'per acre, and they value it at 3s 6d per bushel, it will cost in hard cash to get into the barn—reaping, 25s ; food, 5s ; threshing, 5s ; total, 355, per acre —equal to 10 bushels per acre. Farming cannot pay this. How the peaches manage to retain their flavor after being laid upon, sat upon, and slept upon by the Maoris who sell them is more than we can say, quoth the "New Zealand Herald." The flavor alluded to is not very clearly indicated. Peaches, like anything else that comes in contact with the '' noble savage," stand a good chance of acquiring a flavor which certainly will never depart*