PALMERSTON NORTH

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1686, 22 June 1904, Page 26

PALMERSTON NORTH

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The attendance at the sale of Mr Slanden's purebred Ayrshire cattle on Wednesday was somewhat small owing to the bad weather. There were, however, several outside buyers present and a fair sale resulted, although it dragged somewhat at times. The cattle were in good condition and presented a good appearance The cows sold up to 20 guineas, that being the price realised by Princess May 11., full sister to the well-known champion Princess May 111., Mr S. 'W. Luxford, of. Awapuni, being the purchaser. The next highest price was 15 guineas paid for T'rixy. and purchased by Messrs Nicholson Bros., of Waitotara. The cows averaged 8 guineas, but included several rather old beasts which would account for the somewhat low, average. A very nice heifer Floss, by the Duke of York, realised 12« gs., falling to the bid of Mr Cooper, of Wairarapa, and another by King’s Pride, out of Fancy, made 10£gs., Messrs Nichol-. son Bros, being the purchasers. The bulls did not sell particularly well owing to it being the off season. The veteran champion “Duke of York" was knocked down, to Mr D. Gordon at 12gs, and a yearling of his get reached 14gs, being sold' to Messrs Nicholson Bros. The weaner heifers sold up to and the weaner bulls to 3£gs. The crossbred cows in calf sold well, making up to lOgs. As a result of their trip Home Messrs McMillan and Sim have received .a communication from the War Office stating

that, in future, all supplies of reins and mule harness, etc., required in Sbuth Africa, will be made with McMillan'a patent leather. A prospectus of the Leaither Company will be placed upon, the London market when financial conditions are more favourable than at present. Probably in about tv r elve months' time. The latest public institution in Palmerston is the formation of a Fire Police Corps. Officers have been elected as follows : —Captain, B. Holben (late captain, of the Newmarket Brigade, Auckland); Ist Liet., A. E. Clauson - , 2nd Lieut., A l .. Hopwood; Corporal, J. Colnett; secretary, ** and treasurei, Sergt. W. Parkes. A committee was appointed to make arrangements for the corps getting into practice. It has been decided to apply to the Council for a fire inspector's certificate for the captain, and also for an annual grant of £lO a year. Consequent on the shutting down of the flaxmills during a portion of the winter, there are a number of unemployed flaxmill hands in Palmerston at the present time, destitute of cash and food. Numerous applications have been made to the Relieving Officer for relief,, but as there is a general disinclination on the part of the applicants to go to any other work, they have .usually been advised to find! fresh and more congenial quarters. Many of the mills suffered heavily during the late flood in the Manawatu, which completely disorganised their working. It was partly for this reason that numbers of men were thrown out of employment. S'everal of the flax-owners have restricted cutting during the winter months on account of frost killing th© young flax as it springs up again.