IMPLEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9904, 24 November 1893, Page 6 (Supplement)

IMPLEMENTS.

The entries under the heading of implements are much larger than last year. The miserable weather made it impossible to show these to advantage. Tho following, without pretending to be complete, embraces descriptions of the principal exhibits :—

Mr F. R. ManniDg, agent for Marshall, Sons, I and Co., is, as usual, to tlie fore with a lino | * display of agricultural machines. A six horse- i power traction engine is shown, fitted with two J* speeds of crucible east steel, eukrged flte box, j compensation gear, injector as well as pump, I I enlarged winding drum (fitted loose on the j I shaft, to admit of it being easily overhauled), j , and a number of other fittings of the lateßt | I type. This engine works a colonial threshing I■, ! machine by the same firm. It is fitted with j i extended straw shakers aud special grass dress- j ing apparatus, together with a complete outfit, j ■ The seven horse-power portable engine is fitted ! with a relief valve, which is an exceedingly | convenient contrivance. By its means all the i * valves can be taken out in case of anything going wrong \vith them, and can be cleaned and replaced while steam is in the boiler. This machine drives a 4ft 6in colonial threshing machine, which is fitted with patent chocks for levelling and chocking, while facility is afforded in attending to the mechanism by a ladder and handle Used to the side. A five horse-power portable engine, fitted with quick speed governors, iron wheels, &c, was exhibited working a Massey binder. ■ A four horse-power similar engine, and a newly designed self-contained vertical engine, fitted with patent governors and slide valve, sight and drop-feed lubricators were also shown. The well-known firm of Reid and Gray exhibit; a vory large number of agricultural implements of every description. Chief among the ploughs is a compound l6ver double-furrow plough, fitted with Gray's patent steering gear. Simplicity and facility of manipulation are the qualities claimed for it, while it can be fitted either as a high cub or as a plain plough. This is the first occasion on which the plough has been shown in Dunedin, and it is likely to receive a good deal of attention during the show. Other ploughs .shown are the single-farrow, sub-soil, digger, drill plough, hill-side, American, colonial, and others. A set of four-leaf Bteel zig-zag harrows, Reid and Gray's improved steel zig-zag drag harrow, or light grubber, with lifting lever, a set of Bft digging harrows, heavy axles, and a set of similar 9ft digging harrows, are also among the firm's implements. An improved No. 3 Mercer, twine binder is also shown—a machine in which canvas is dispensed with— together with a 9ft 24 :'Cambridge roller, fitted with Gray's patent canister ;15 Coulter No. 1 improved New Zealand grain drill; Coulter No. 2, for. grain, turnips, and manure; a No. 4, for grain, manure, turnipsand manure; and a No. 1 turnip and manure double drill. There is also_ the usual display of chaffeutters, in addition to which au improved double bagger is shown for the first time. Burrell's seven horse-power traction engine is .likewise exhibited by the firm, and the machine is fitted with a great many improvements. Both pinions are worked by one lever only, which has the effect of considerably lessening the width of the engine. The forecarriage ia so arranged that the engine can maintain an even position when on a hillside. The bearings and link motion are extra wide. The big end brasses are bolted down on the contre pin -with two bolts and adjustable cotter, while the doors of the fire-box are made slidiug, ao as to economise space in the tender. Auother advantage is that the loads can be fastened on at any angle. One of Clayton and Shuttleworth's threshing machines is also shown by the firm. It is fitted with a sft drum and 2ft screen, and improved riddle-rooms, shakers, &c. An eight horse-power traction engine, single cylinder, an a seven horse-power portable engine are also among the firm's entries. The Buckeye Harvester Co. (Mr G. H. Oatway, manager, Dunedin) exhibit their wellknown Buckeye frameless reaper and binders. It is claimed for this machine that it is simplicity, personified; aud its other good points are durability, ease of management, and lightness of draft. It has no more cog wheels' than are required to make the ordinary mower, aud all complicated framework of flat or angle bars, round or square tubes bolted together at the corners are dispensed with. The binder is borne on its two wheels in the same manner as on two waggon wheels. The firm also displays its several descriptions of Buckeye mowers. In the new Buckeye mower only four cog-whee'.s are used, thus making the construction less complicated. The machine is built on essentially the same principles as tlie original Buckeye, mower patented in 1858. A number of Abbot's world-famed buggies and phaetons are also shown. The company have also on the ground one of Aveling and Porter's eight horse-power agricultural locomotives, with patent double speed 6ft 6in driving wheel of wrought iron, steel brackets, with winding drum and water elevator. Wheels of this diameter have been found of great advantage both in travelling and in soft ground. Nicolson and Gray's patent milking machine is also to be seen at the Show, and it is one of the most interesting exhibits on the ground. It is catalogued amongst the Buckeye Harvester Company's exhibits. The machine shown is suitable for a dairy of about 20 cows, and can milk four cows at a time. A pump fitted; with vacuum gauge glass and safety valve connects with the cans by an overhead pipetravers- i ing the byres. The vacuum is led down from the pipe to the milk cans by a flexible tube, which can easily be detached. The hole in the can is at the top at one side so that the milk can be easily and cleanly emptied out. The cans are also each fitted with a self-registering gauge glass, and by this means the number of gallons given by each animal may be ascertained. The milking cups are transparent, and, in case they fall, automatically close. Every portion of the machine is so exceedingly simple that it can easily be taken apart and cleaned, and there is absolutely no complicated machinery to get out of order. The inventor seems to have successfully overcome all difficulties calculated to endanger the safety or comfort of the cow, and with the improvements embodied in the machine each cow can have the degree of suction which suits her be3t for extracting the milk from her udder, independent of the degree which may suit her neighbour cow. An exhibition of the working of the machine may be seen to-day, and those interested would do well to visit it. Massey, Harris, and Co. (Mr W. A. Shiel, manager, Dunedin) exhibit a great array of agricultural implements, which attracted much interest amongst those who were hardy enough to face the blinding rain aud tramp about in the slush. The wide open reaper and binder with transports and sheaf carrier was shown at work, driven by one of Marshall and Co.'s engines. The special feature of the open reaper is the open back, which will allow heavy stuff being carried up without the heads being turned. The machine will handle gras3 as well as heavy stuff. It has a very simple knotter, and a strong steel frame. A Massey, Harris press shoe drill is also on view. In place of ordinary coulters a shce is used, which is pressed iv the ground by leverage. The machine puts the corn out of the way of birds, and deposits it on a good bottom, in place of a broken bottom. A Toronto and Brautford mower are also shown. They are both j light machines, suitable for grass. The former showed what it can do by cutting a track in the Park in the morning during heavy rain. A Branfcford mower is also shown, with a back delivery. The firm also has entered a cultivator with seeder and grassseed attachment; a sectional seeder; cultivators 6ft and Bft; and an 8-foot cultivator with attachments for sowing rape, clovor, and other small seeds. The cultivator has become a favourite among the farming community for its many good qualities. A side-delivery reaper and mower, with all the latest improvements for handling clover, is also on exhibition. Tho company have carried off a number of prizes for its machines in South Australia this year. Morrow, Bassett, and Co. have a very excellent and unusually large display of implements on their stand. The exhibits include the M'Cormick machine of steel, the M'Cormick "Open Back," and the M'Cormick "Bindlochine" (or lowdown) reapers and binders, the M'Oormick Big 4 grass mowers and tilters; several makes of grubbers, horse hoes, corncrushers, chaff-cutters, Dutton knife-grinders, harrow, root-slicer and pulpers, horsegears, cider mills, and a new and most effective device for straining and locking plain and barb wire fences, several easy road carts, samples "Eureka" and "Excelsior" binding twines, patent "Cylindrine" oil, together with some very recent novelties. The stand occupied by Messrs Morrow, Bassett, and Co. has always been one of the principal centres of attraction in connection with the display of agricultural implements annually grouped together, and this year the firm exceeds any thing they have had previously. Having been for many years importers of farm machinery, and having, too, a wide practical knowledge of what is best suited to j the requirements of tho New Zealand agriculturist, they have always endeavoured i to secure for him tools of the most reliable aud best description in order to both lighten tho labours of tho farm and prevent as Far as possible all those annoying delays and complete stoppages which worry and distress those who buy or u«e j inferior or defective machinery. Had they done i nothing else but introduce to the grain growers ' a of New Zealand that wonderful piece of mechanism, the M'Cormick reaper and binder i they would have deserved well of their country' ir The M'Cormick for the year 1893 is still further c improved. It is a harvester which is as simple II in construction as light of draught, as durable n | and as perfect in all its operations as the d [ expenditure of over 60 years' hard study and a

vast amount of money and experiment could possibly make it. Space will not allow us to point out all the numerous improvements in this machine over its predecessors. They must be seen to be understood. Suffice it to say the machines seem as nearly perfect as it is possible to make them. No one interested in farming machinery should miss visiting this stand.

Allen, Begg, and Co. have catalogued an iteresting lot of exhibits, chief amongst which re an electric dynamo, electric stove, electric ttiugs, Morris typewriter, stove, fruit drier. Iter, &o. The electric dynamo is one of G5 aits, and in the electric stove a novel means E preparing food is to be found. The type'riter is cheap, and should be effective for omaiercisl use and light work. Another novel rticle is a substitute for glass, termed " Aurone." It is composed of fine wire netting teeped in a gelatine-like substance. It has a reenish tint, is flexible, durable, and wateright. It is used for roofing houses, or for windows, and is inexpensive. The "Hillside leversible" plough is also on view, while arious oils, such as mineral and lard oils, are iso shown. A combination spray pump is also mong the entries. It may be used for whitecashing outhouses, as a hand syrlogn or pump or spraying roses, and for similar purposes. Slower and vegetable seeds, "Lightning" soap, 'Lightning" sheep dip, and rubber mats are ilso to be seen. A thatch-making machine is ikewiße oxbibited. It makes a straw thatch or roofing barns, &c, or for erecting temporary ihelter for cattle. Many other articleo are to >c seen at this stand. _ The ADglo-Maori Company, Dunedin, show ims of preserved milk, preserved coffee and nilk, and condensed cream. The coffee and iiilk is condensed in such a manner that to obtain a refreshing cup of coffee with milk and sugar ready for use, it is only necessary thit a ;easpoonful of the compound should be placed in a cup and boiling water poured upon it. The milk when undergoing condensation is put through such a process that all deleterious matter must of necessity be expelled from it. A. very simple chura patented by the company is also shown. It is claimed for it that the butter is produced in a few minutes, and is thoroughly aerated and purified during churning. The granulation cannot be destroyed in the process of churning, and the butter cannot be over-churned. It can be mtde of any size, to produce lib or one ton of butter. A. Morrison and Co. have entered Wilson's cheese hoops, milk can, &c, also a Babcock milk testing machine,', which will be shown at work to-day. A new milk refrigerator and aerator, which aerate 3 the milk as well as cools it, is also in this stand, together with a very ingenious, simple, and effective milk gate, for fixing on to milk vats, and which is known as the "Perfection Milk Gate." A curd mill, which cuts the curd into small pieces, and has many excellent qualities, may also be inspected. Mr J. Edmond has some Balata belting on view, which is made of gutta percha iustead of indiarubber. The advantages of this belting are that ifc has ho tendeuej' to slip as indiarubber, while it does not stretch. There is also a variety of oils shown, some being of a special character, noSably oil for marking sheep. Tarpaulins and oil clothing are also to be seen. Messrs Andrews and Beaven, Christchurch, show a good eelection of the specialties they manufacture. Thiß firm cenfine their attention and the resources of their work to the manufacture of a few kinds of machines only, believing that by so doing, they are in the beat position to supply to their customers machines that shall be up to date, complete with every possible improvement for saving labour, and made in the very best manner. They concentrate all their manufacturing at one point, but they keep stocks of machines and wearing parts at eight centres in New Zealand, the local agents being Mr F. Manning and T. Kobinson and Co. Of chaffcutters, for which the firm have attained a well-deserved prominence, not only in New Zealand, but in Australia, three are shown. An important improvement is common in all these machines—viz., a new improved inside chilled mouthpiece. This is the oulyj really self-sharpening mouth attached to a cutter. In use, the lower and softer part of the removable mouth face wears away, so that the thin upper chilled portion is always presented with its sharp edge to the cuttiDg edge of the knife. This secures clean cutting, and tho possibility of keeping the necessary keen edge ! much longer than is usual. The firm exhibits I one of these removable chilled fices, which has already had pass through it over 600 tons of straw, representing 30,000 bags of chnff. It is practically none the worse, and is evidently good for at least as much again before it will require another to take its place. The firm consider one of these chilled faces will wear out four eteel plates. Thus economy in time and j money is secured, in addition to doing the work better. Andrews and Bcaven's patent double baggers are so well known in every district in Otago that they do not require description. The firm, however, claim that their improvement of a third bearing close to the flywheel enables the machine to be driven at a higher speed without undue wear, as .tli9 flywheel i* always steady and kept true with the face, and the new patent angular side-pressing screws are able to press heavier than usual with less power. la proof an ordinary grain b»g of chaff weighing nearly l-^ewt is shown. In smaller machines a new farmer's machine—wider, heavier, and with larger cogwheels and spindles than i 3 usually found in chaffcutters — will receive notice. The horse gear shown has a very large main wheel, in order that a high rate of speed can bs easily transmitted to the chaffentter, whilst allowing the horses to walk at their ordinary plough psce, and the work is much easier for them. In the Lake district thesu machines are steady favourites for their, reliable and durable character. Of late years Andrews and Beaven have devoted special attention to seed-cleaning machines, and the fact that they have supplied six to one largo company for different branches shows that intimate acquaintance leads to a good appreciation of their value. At the present time they have in hand, for a farmerb' company, the largest and most complete machine ever set up in New Zealand. Theic smaller farmers' are made on the same lines as the larger, and will effectually separate such seeds as hairgrass from ryegrass, combine and tares from wheat, &o.; so that if every farmer was supplied with one of these machines, the necessity for a Noxious Weeds Act would be entirely done away with. The machine is thoroughly well made in the firm's best style, and is altogether a credit to our colonial industries. The Southland Farmers' Implement and Engineering Company (Mr James Macalister, manager, Invercargill) have entered ft good list of agricultural implements which are likely to attract a deal of attention during the show. Tho "colonial" double-furrow ploughs and the single furrow on double-furrow principle are extremely useful implements. The " colonial" fiye-tiued steel grubber, fitted with 7in steel or 2in chilled shares is a serviceable machine for couch grass, and has found much favour with the farmers of Southland. A specially good set of harrows is the " coloiial" three-leaf tine set, with 24 tines to the leaf. The " Colonial" Bft spading harrows are fitted with extra strong spades, and all tho ground that come 3 within the width of the harrow is thoroughly pulverised. The " Colonial" set of Bft disc harrows, fitted with 18in steel discs, with transport, carriage, is also well worthy of inspection. The company also shows a combined drill for grain with manure and turnips with manure. It is claimed for it that it will sow 15 rows of grain from J to 3JJ- bushels with manure 801b to 13001b to the acre, and will sow from 3£oz to 420z of turnips with manure 551b to 7351b to the acre. It was accorded first prize at the last Oamaru show, also at the Taieri, Rangiora, and other places. A 13-coulter combined drill is also shown. It sows grain with manure and turnipi with manure, and is fitted with grass-seed box attachment. The machine possesses many new features, and is of very simple construction. A "John Fowler's" eight horse-power single cylinder traction engine is also exhibited by the firm. Messrs P. and D. Duncan, Christchurch, show a number of drills for turnips, grain, and seeds, with manure. They also exhibit a tworow turnip and manure drill, disc harrow, spading harrow, 7-tine patent grubber, horse hoe and ridger, 3-row horse-rake, and a double furrow plough and digger plough. This firm exhibited its machines at the Timaru Agricultural Show in October last, when a first prize of £60 was carried off by them for their X drill (15 rows) for grain and manure. Booth, Macdonald, and Co. have over a dozen implements amongst the entries. First in the catalogue is a double-furrow digger plough with front wheel lift. It is fitted with a simple contrivance which allows the plough to | travel on its wheels, and raises tho plough out of headlands. A single-furrow plough, with similar front wheel lift attached, is also to be seen. A single-furrow plough, fitted with ordinary attachments, ia also exhibited, showing how a digging plough could be adjusted into an ordinary plough. There is also in this stand a double-furrow medium plough, withflat skeaths and steel shares, suitable for heavy work on hills or iv bush land. Carlyle spading and disc harrows, broadcast sower, two-row turnip, mangel, and manure ridge drills are also shown. Those machines are all of an improved type, simple and strong, and with a tendency to breakages reduced to a minimum. ■ Mr John Smaill, of Christchurch, exhibits a I singularly simple contrivance whereby runaway i horses may be detached from a vehicle instantly. The contrivance is simply a spring on tho swingletree. The spring fastens the traces on to the swingletree, and in order to release them those in the vehicle have merely to pull a strap and the horses are free, the breeching being so adjusted as not to prevent their escape. The contrivance is very cheap, and should be generally adopted, if only for the facility it affords of yoking and unyoking hoi'3es. A trial was given at the show, and those present expressed wonder at the simplicity and effectiveness of tho. invention.

The Canterbury Seed Company, cf Christchurch, exhibit Canterbury-grown cow grass, white clover, alsyke, perennial ryegrass, and Akaroa cocksfoot. The seeds are of exceptional quality and merit. The gold and silver medals won by the company at the Tasmanian Exhibition and the Agricultural and Pastoral show just held at Christchurch ate on view, and the

oompany is justly proud of having carried off ! the prizes at the latter frnm all tho principal i seed firms in that city. Siuca the introduction ' of tho humble bee clover srerl growing has ■ thriven apace, aud the Canterbury Seed i Company now exports seeds to Great Britain j and the Australian colonies. The company makes a specialty of dressing cocksfoot, I having the sole right of letters pxtent, that i enables them to clean this seed free from Yorkshirs fog, aud this has given them the lion's i share of the trado. The company brands all i their dressed seed, "Dressed by Lee's Patent." | The cocksfoot showu by vhem v/eighs 241b to j the bushel, and the ryegrass 341b. The white j clover is considered by competent judges the finest sample ever sesu in Now Zealand. Owing to tho exceedingly wot weather, which made an inspection of the implement a matter of great difHculty, the remainder of our report of this branch of the show is held over.

The following is the prize list: — CATTLE. SHORTHORNS.

Judges : Messrs James Gall and W. Carswell. Bull, three years old or over. Two entries—John M Intyre 1 and 2.

Bull, two years old. Four entries—N.Z. and A. Land Company 1 and 2. Bull, yearling. Nine entries—N.Z. and A. Land Company 1, 2, and 3. Heifer, yearling. Three entries —N.Z. and A. Land Company 1, 2, and 3. Champion certificate for best bull of any ago on the ground—N.Z. and A. Land Company. Champion certificate for best cow or heifer of any age ou the ground—N.Z. and A. Land Company.

POLLED ANGUS. Judges: Messrs James Gall and W. Carawel). Bull, two years old. Three entries—Hon. M. Holmes 1, Murray, Roberts, and Co. 2, N.Z. and A. Land Company 3. Bull, yearling. Two entries—N.Z. and A. Land Company 1 and 2. Best cow, four years old or over. Two entries —Murray, Roberts, and Co. 1, N.Z. and A. Land Company 2. Heifer, three yearaold. Two entries—N.Z. and A. Land Company 1 and 2. Heifer, two years old. Three entries—N.Z. and A. Land Company 1 and 3, Hon. M. Holmes 2. Heifer, yearling. Two entries—N.Z. and A. Land Company 1 and 2. Champion certificate for best bull of any age on the ground—Hon. M. Holmes. Champion certificate for best cow or heifer of any ago on the ground—Murray, Roberts, and Co. AYRSIIIHES. Judges: Messrs A. Hannah, N. Fleming, and J. Russell. Bull, three years old or over. Three entries — Ireland Bros. 1, K. B. Ferguson 2, A Smaill 3. Bull, two years old. Two entries—D. Warnock 1, A. Smaill 2. Bull, yearling. Seven entries—lreland Bros. 1, K. B. Ferguson 2, Owen J. Hodge 3. Cow in milk, four years old or over. Five entries—A. and J. M'Farlane 1 and 2, K. B. Ferguson 3. Cow in calf, four years old or over. Seven entries—A. and J. M'Farlane 1, 2,3, and 4. Heifer in milk, three years old. Three entries— A. and J. M'JTarlane 1, 2, and 3. Heifer, dry, three years old. Six entries—X. B. Ferguson 1, A. and J. HTarlane 2, Ireland Bros. 3. Heifer, in milk, two years old. Two entries — K. B. Ferguson 1 and 2. Heifer, dry, two years old. Eight entriesIreland Bros. 1 and 2, K. B. Ferguson 3. Heifer, yearling. Seven entries—A. and J. M'Earlane 1, K. B. Ferguson 2, A. Ewing 3. Cow and two of her progeny. Two entries—X. B. Ferguson 1 and 2. Bull with three of his progeny. Two entries — A. and J. ISTFarlane 1, K. B. Ferguson 2. Champion certificate for best bull of any age on the ground—X. B. Ferguson.^ Champion certificate for best cow or heifer of any age on the ground—A. and J. M'Farlane. ALDERNEYS OR JERSEY CATTLE. Judges : Messrs A. Hannah, N. Fleming, and J. Russell. Bull, any age. Three entries—F Hillier 1, Joseph Brown 2, John Ellis 3. Cow or heifer, any age. Six entries—James Grey 1 and 3, R. Mitchell 2. DAIRY CATTLK. Cow in milk or in calf. One entry—Mrs C. M'Kenzie 1. SHEEP. MERINO BREED. Judge: Mr J. Roberts. Fine Combing, Ram, four-tooth or upwards. Two entries — Watson Shennan 1 and 2. Ram, two-tooth or under. Two entries—Watson Shennan 1 and 2. Two rams, two-tooth or under. One entryWatson Shennan 1. Champion certificate for the best merino ram of any age—Watson Shennan. LEICESTER BREED. Judges : Messrs J. Elliot and M. Macfarlane. Ram, four-tooth or over. Six entries—Hon. M. Holmes 1 and 2, John Reid 3, M'Kercher Bros. c. Ram, two-tooth or under. Seven entries — M'Kercher Bros. 1, John Reid 2, Hon. M. Holmes 3, John Reid c. Two rams, two-tooth or under. Seven entries— M'Kercher Bros. 1, John Reid 2 and 3, Robert Stewart c. Two ewes, four-tooth or over, with lambs at foot. Three entries—M'Kercher Bros. 1, John Reid 2. Ewe, two-tooth or under. Six entries—ll'Kercber Bros. 1 and 2, John Reid 3 and c. Two ewes, two-tooth or under. Five entries — John Reid 1, Hon. M. Holmes 2, M'Kercher Bros, h.c. Ewe, four-tooth and over, with lamb at foot. Six entries—John Reid 1, Hon. M. Holmes 2 and 3, M'Kercher Bros. c. Champion certificate for best ewe—John Reid. Champion certificate for best ram—Hon. M. Holmes. LINCOLN BREED. Judges : Messrs J. Deans and B. M'Laren. Ram. four-tooth or over. Five entries—N.Z. and A. Land Company 1 and 2, Hon. M. Holmes 3. Ram, two-tooth or under. Four entries—N.Z. and A. Land Company 1 and 3, Hon. M. Holmes 2. Two rams, two-tooth or under. One entry—N.Z. and A. Land Company 1. Two ewes, four-tooth or over, with lambs at foot. Two entries—Hon. M. Holmes 1, N.Z. and A. Land Company 2. Ewes, two-tooth or under. Three entries—Hon. M. Holmes 1, N.Z and A. Land Company 2 and 3. Two ewes, two-tooth or under. Two entries— N.Z. and A. Land Company .1 and 2. Champion certificate for the best ram —N.Z and A. Land Company. ROMN'EY MARSH BREED. Judges: Messrs D. M'Laren and P. Pattullo. Ram, four-tootli or over. Eight entries—Hon. M. Holmes 1 and 2, John Reid 3. Ram, two-tooth or under. Eight entries—John Reid 1 and 2, Hon. M. Holmes 3. Two rams, two-tooth or under. Five entriesJohn Reid 1, Hon. M. Holmes 2, Hon. James Fulton's trustees 3. Two ewes, four-tooth or over, with lambs at foot. Seven entries—Hon. M. Holmes 1, John Reid 2, C. Miller 3. Two ewes, two-tooth or under. Six entriesJohn Reid 1, Hon. M. Holmes 2 and 3. Champion certificate for best ram—Hon. M. Holmes. Champion certificate for beat ewe—Hon. M. Holmes. SHROPSHIRE DOWNS. Judge: Mr J. Deans. • Ram, four-tooth or over. Two entries—John Reid and Sons 1 and 2. Ram, two-tooth or under. Two entries—John Reid and Sons 1 and 2. Two ewes, four-tooth or'over, with lamb at foot. Two entries—John Reid and Sons 1 and 2. Two ewes, two-tooth or under. Two entriesJohn Reid and Sons 1 and 2. Champion certificate for the be3t ram of any age—John Reid and Sons. Champion certificate for the best ewe of any age—John Reid and Sona. cheviot'eheep. Judge : Mr J. Deans. Ram, four-tooth or over. Two entries—Hon. M. Holmes 1 and 2. Ram, two-tooth or under. Two entries —Hon. M. Holmes 1' and 2. Two ewes, four-tooth or over, with lambs at foot. One entry—Hon. M. Holmes. Two ewes, two-tooth or under. Two entries— Hon. M. Holme 3. Champion certificate for the best ram of any age—Hon. M. Holmes. Champion certificate for the best ewe of any age—Hon. M. Holmes. PAT SHEEP. Judges: Messrs S. D. Murray, James Gall, and H. Carswell. Five crossbred wethers. Two entries—W. Patrick 1 and 2. Ten wetherslfor refrigerating purposes. Three entries—W. Patrick 1 and 2. Five fat lambs. Four entries—R. Mitchell 1, W. Patrick 2. DUNEDIN LIEDERTAFEL.

The Dunedin Liedertafel rank high in publio estimation as a musical body, and the concerts that are given by them from time to time invariably command a large amount of patronage from music lovere. On Wednesday evening, when a concert was given, the attendance was large, despite the disagreeable state of the weather, and the fact that the whole community ie so imbued with the electioneering spirit that all thoughts of pleasure are cast to the wind. The first portion of the programme consisted of FelicienJDavid's symphonic ode " The Desert." This fine composition—which is associated with the composer's name to a greater extent than any of his other works—was produced hßre some time ago. It contains much beautiful writing, permeated with a marked Eastern colouring which is singularly descriptive. Scenes in the Great Sahara desert are depicted, and episodes in the life of the restless tribes that wander over its surface are introduced with effect. The monologue was read by Mr W. F. Young, and two tenor solos and recitatives were suug by Mr E. Packer. The latter was in capital voice, and achieved much success in his numbers, his rendering of " 0 night, 0 lovely night" being particularly fine. The choruß parts were capitally rendered. The voices were well balanced, and excellent tune and time were maintained throughout. The orchestration was likewise in keeping with the excellence of the performance, the finer passages being interpreted with every fidelity, and with a nics discrimination as to light and shade Altogether the production of ths work reflects credit on Signor R. Squarise, the hon. conductor of the society. As the beautie3 of (ho composition only become apparent on closa acquaintance it will bear repetition, and it is to be hoped it will not be overlooked when the programmes are bsing prepared for future concerts. _ The second portion of the programme comprised a choico selection of musical items. The most interesting to those present was doubtless an "Aye Maria," by Signor Squavise. The number, which was sung by Miss Rose Blauey, proved to be one of exceptional merit. It opens with organ and orchestral part?, and the air throughout is of markedly devotional and prayerful" character. The composition is a really beautiful one, »nd is in every re-ipect worthy of the reputation enjoyed by Signor Squarise as a composer. Miss Blaney rendered the music in an artistic manner, and, although the number is by no means short, it had to be repeated before the demands of the audience were satisfied. At

a later stage Signor Squarise afforded his I listeners a treat by hia musimnly treatment of Herman's violin solo " Lucia di Lammermoor," in which he had the advantage of an admirable pianoforte accompanimant played by Miss Joel. The part songs "Martyrs of the arena" (De Rillfc), "Eveuing rest" (Hamma), and "Joy waltz" (Blsass'-rr) were uniformly well rendered by the Liedexbjfel, Urn tirst-mentioncd sang being tho principal contribution. Daring the evening Mr E. Parker led the orchestra, and Signor Siiuariso was in his custonwry place as conductor.

OUR LONDON LETTER.

(By Our Svkcial Correspondent.)

30 AND 31 FLHET STREET,

London, November 7. THE WEEK. Two speeches, one by Mr Gosclieu the other by Lord Randolph. Churchill, alone have saved the past week from being utterly devoid of political event 3. Even then events were eotnewhat of the small potato order of architecture. Both speakers as a matter of course denounced Mr Gladstone and the Home Rule Bill, and defended the House of Lords. There was nothing new in either arguments or the invective used, and both speeches, like that of the Prime Minister the week before, fell utterly flat. If the coal strike be not quits dead, it is at any rate rapidly dying. The men continue to "dribble m" by instalments. Before long all will be at work again who can get taken on. But some will not be. The empk»ers are growing more and more sick of this sort of thing, and less and less disposed to be played fast and lose with by the men as they have been in the past. Meanwhile coal has gone up rapidly and the poorer classes are already sufferiog severely What a prolonged winter strike would mean it is hard even to guess. Heaven save us from the actual experience of such a horror! The scheme broached of a great national coal trust, in other words of a huge "corner" or monopoly, seems to hang fire. It has been coldly received. Consumers form the majority of the public, and they see plainly it means a combination to keep up the price of coal This is not relished. Cholera seems to be fast dying out in the places in England where it had obtained a foothold. No fresh cases have been recorded lately, and even the House of Commons and its precincts seem to have escaped further visitation of the dread pest. Mr de Jong is still undergoing trial in Holland for the supposed murder of his two (supposed) wives. The body of neither victim cau be found. The bloodhounds have been employed, and all the skill of the detective force ! called into requisition. Meanwhile Mr do Jong himself, who seems a smug, silly, self-satisfied puppy, remains quite calm, and smile 3 blandly at the abortive proceedings. It has been lately proposed to hypnotise him in order that be may be made to confess where he concealed his victims' bodies, aud ifc is even declared that the law of Holland would sanction such a performance. Seeing, however, that hypnotism is supposed merely to cause the patient to reuex what is in the mind of the hypnotiser, it is manifestthat the acceptance of any evidence then elicited would involve a grave miscarriage of justice. But I do not suppose the mad idea will be seriously carried, out. Meanwhile the "Maidenhead" mystery remains as mjsteriouß as ever. The inquest ou the victim of the Bath horror is still in progress, and the young maa is still in custody on suspicion of murdering his passionate and jealous sometime fiancee, Elsie Luke. One curious feature has turned up in the case. There was great difficulty in indentifying the skeleton, all of whose distinguishing characteristics had been obliterated by d^cay, and whose garments had mostly perished beyond possibility of recognition. But the first thing those boys noticed in that lane was a girl's very small and very neat Oxford shoe sticking up. On investigation they found a skeleton foot inside that shoe and then a skeleton body attached to the foot. Now, at the inquest, a shoemaker was called, who instantly recognised the shoes as having been sold by him to the missing girl Elsie Luke two years ago. He recollected the fact because Miss Elsie was very p-irticular about her shoes, aud would only have a particular kind, which he had some difficulty in providing for her. So the poor girl's little bit of jsrsonal vanity has furnished the sole means of her identification. At the same time it is uot easy to see why her erstwhile sweetheart should have murdered her. It was more likely to be the other way, as she was furiously jealous of him, and was in the habit of personally assaulting auy other girls to whom fie paid any attention. Whether this very awkward and disagreeable habit led to a fatal fracas nobody of course knows, excepting the accused, who is ualikely to throw any light on the mystery. Much interest is, of course, aroused in the great yacht race between EDgland and America, and between the English Valkyrie and tha American Vigilant, for the recovery of the first honours which America has so long held at our expense. At the preliminary canter Valkyrie was winning, when the wind failed, and a postponement became inevitable. In the opinion of experts the two yachts are remarkably well matched, each surpassing the other is'&ome points and being inferior in others. The month of September just ended completes the driest period of seven months ever yet known in England. So says Mr J. G. Symona, the world's greatest authority on questions of rainfall. Even now such rain as we do get is brief in duration and trivial in quantity. The winter promises to be proportionably as fine as the spring and summer have been and the autumn is.