SHANNON NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5679, 29 August 1905, Page 7

SHANNON NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Budding and flowering fruit trees give promise'of an early spring. A successful lambing is in progress. all along the Manavvatu line, .and already, are lo be observed ; the . eauoy .capers, of the lambs which reminded the inimitable Artomus so much of caper sauce. . The succession of flood’s in the Mauawajrn which accoiur panifed the wettest’, winder that this district has.seen foe many tears, has damped the enthusiasm of:' tho. aaxmillers. The price of flax, is lower apff the momentary promise of a rise has been succeeded by . anpther fall., The mills hgve. been id I.e for nearly three months on . account of the floods . and . frosty weather, and already one miller: hai had to seek refuge from bis creditors in the Bankruptcy Court: It is interesting but depressing to note .that in the South there have been seven bankruptcies since May, and five of these were connected with the flax business, it is thought totally that the effect ■of the increased production of Manila and other fibres on the flax market could only be met by the establishment'of some cheaper and more effective,-method of dressing and bleaching the fibre, and as there are several, .patents, in the. market it is thought that the Government should give some aid in protecting the flax industry from the ruinous depression which, overt toqk it A few years ago. ’ Y A flutter of excitement was caused, and a- subject of conversation introduced by the advent,of an- alleged pase. of- smallpox. The patient is still isolated 'in a cottage, surrounded with the dignity and mystery 1 of officialdom.