SKIMMINGS.

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 6

SKIMMINGS.

/ Mr Ruddick is at present- on a visit 'to the Forty-mile Bush district. Mr Kinsella is still iu the South Island, and Atr Robertson .is in Taranaki, having just paid ft-vistdo Levin. . : • « . %r" .• tr

The Wellington winter show movement lias ended iu smoke. The idea emanated froiu Mr Lang, tlio Wellington grader, who was ably seconded by Mr Beattie, secretary of the National Dairy Association, this gentleman giving considerable time in endeavouring to estaWsir the scheme. That the movement failed is indeed regrettable., and we hope the opportunity will bo taken advantage of by a moie progressive centre, Pa.mcrston North perhaps. It is an excellent opening tor the Palmerston North people, who could inaugurate a winter show ahead of anything of the kind in the colony. Should a winter show be decided oil bv the Palmerston people, we trust that dairymen will give it their hearty support. ‘ Butter is falling off heavily in »ome parts of Taranaki, owing to the dryness of the weather, and hush fires are raging near New Plymouth. visitor recently returned from London writes front New Plymouth that he was forcibly reminded of the great city on a fog day. * ; & * At a recent-meeting of the North Island Bacon Curing Company at Wcqdville. the ■directors resolved that the bacon-curing eapaeitv- should be increased. .*- * $ ; Owing' to shortness of water in the Ih+tea river the Stratford Bacon Company has stopped faking pigs. The factory's machinery is worked by water t lower. * * w * * According to a.Mainiwatu newspaper eurivspondent the early sowing of man* gle? is more advantageous, than late sowing. both as regards yield of produce and quality of roots. The difference is stated to be in the proportion of about 11 tons tn do tons. *«•*** In our article in a recent issue on the income tax trouble we mentioned that factories were exempted where the amount was under £3OO. We were misinformed —there is no exemption. * , v * * Caterpillars are giving trouble around Manaia. * *• * The grass seed nawests in tlie Manaivatu district are exceptionally good this year. * * * • The Egmont A. and P. Association made a profit of nearly £350 ever last year’s show. According to the ‘‘Wyndliam Fanner,.’’ at the fresh outbreak of swine fever at Mat aura Mr Rennes, the Government Veterinarian, and Inspector Turner, of Invercargill, were on the spot with all speed. Mr Reakes’s investigation proved conclusively that the sickness was swine fever. He is satisfied it came from jin outside source, and not from any contagion that has lurked about the piggery since the previous attack, twelve months ago. The piggery lias i*»en isolated and Mr Reakes is in hopes of saving a large number of the herd. Twenty-five had.succumbed at. the time of Mr Reakes’’ visit.