NAPIER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1675, 6 April 1904, Page 26

NAPIER.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Grape growers state that the vintage this season has been considerably spoiled by wet weather. It is estimated that probably in the Greenmeadows district the yield of grapes lias amounted to only about one-third of what had: been reasonably expected. At; the, Green men dews vineyard about 60€0 to 7000 gallons of wine will be made this season. as> against 8000 gallons last, year. The proprietoress (Mrs Randall) lias some 25,003 gallons' of wine stored in the cellars. Mr C. E. Dunk is the manager and Mr Twiss, an expert, from, California, the wine-maker. The depredations, of small birds were very troublesome to one grower, and besides damage caused an expenditure of £lO. Same of thei crops have been practically failures, but nevertheless the prospects of this industry are encouraging. Present indications show that there is every probability of the coming autumn show, held under thei auspices of the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Societies, on April 20th, being as successful as its two predecessors. The society lias recently made large additions to the produce shed, and there is now ample indoor accommodation. Numerous entries have been received for the grain and root classes. Modern leaping matches, chopping and sawing competitions, ancl a Victoria Cross race will be held in addition to the usualattr actions at shows of this description. The judging is to be completed by a a,m. on April 20th, when the gates will be thrown open to the public. A,t, the usual Waipukurau stock sale, on Tuesday, March 23th. cattle were sold •as follows:—Twelve-months, steers £3 Bs, two-year-old steers £4 ss, three^year-old steers £5, heifer weaners £2 Bs, dairy cows (varied assortment) £4 IQs to £5 18s.

At a meeting of the Tiaradale River Board, Mr W. Waterhouse was re-elected chairman of the Board. The, meeting also confirmed the appointment of Mr J. Stevens -a® rabbit,er to the Board. It. was resolved to grant Mr G. Rymer leave, of absence during his trip to the Old Country, and that Mr W. Howard sign cheques in the interim. The chairman was empowered to put on mem, to clear tiie growing willows on the riverbed. Theclerk was instructed at once to issue, summonses for all outstanding rates. Accounts totalling £35 16s id were passed for payment. Now that, shorter days with a cooler atmosphere are quietly heralding the approach of winter the different football clubs throughout the district are getting ready for the, coming season. At the annual meeting of the Scinde District Football Club the following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr F. Logan; president, Mr C. S 3. Johnstone; vice-presidents. Messrs F. Derbyshire, R. Bishop, J. Curry, junr., H. w. Allan, E'. P. Sniyrk, G. Tu'dehope,, J. Johnstone, W. J. McGrath, W.- G. Ciato, 11. Humphries, T. Tanner, M. Hen-old, F. Russell, sen., J. R. Ross, and Dr Ronald; club captain, Mr H. Bishop; committee, Messrs F. D. McVay. F. S. Russell, F. Mahony, R. Heath, W. Qaameron, S. Tomlinson, and F. L. Garry; secretary, Mr A. P. St. Clair; treasurer, Mr T. C. H. Jones; delegates to Rugby Union, Messrs Ei. P. Smyrk and G. Tudehope; delegate to Sports’ Protection Society, Mr 11. W. Allan; auditors, Messrs A. E. Renouf and F. G. Smith, junr. Seventeen new members were' elected. Considerable interest was taken in the sheepdog trials held ait Taradale on March 30th and 31st, under thei auspices of the Central Hawke’s Bay Sheep Dog Trial Club. The entries were large. In the heading and bringing back class there were 36 entries. In class 11., which is somewhat the.same, except, that thei sheep have to be driven through hurdles, there were 29 entries, and in the huntaway 29 entries. The, ground for the 1 trials had been kindly lent b v Mr Dobel, and thei sheep, half-bred wethers, were lent, by Mr G. P. Donnelly. The work done is said to have been very good, and in some cases exceptionally so.