The Dunedin Commercial Review.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11714, 23 April 1900, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Dunedin Commercial Review.

tINDUSTRIAL,. . COMMERCIAL AID FIIAICIAL : : A CELEBRATED WONDERLAND. .'"AMPLE- "PASTURES AMD FLOCKS.-' ;; -■. FRUITFUL FARMS. RIVER GOLD IN SAND AND [PJEBBLE. ■, BUSY--FACTORIES. ' ' :';''PEN.''SKETCHES':OF'REPBESENTATiVE BUSINESS KtiUSES.

-In a previous supplement was offered] a descriptive sketch of the history of ] Dunedin and Otago,'with-a mere sug- j gestion'of their industrial, commercial,! and financial resources. These latter are so great as to merit a comprehensive _ account. The lands settled by the Scottish religionists are undoubtedly among the most fertile in the British colonies, ana while local progress has not been so rapid, say, as that of Victoria in Australia, it has been steady and constant, each step being as natural a growth as . that of some of our primeval" forests, which slowly enlarged their boundaries and covered the neighbouring country. lAs with the other big golu colonies of Australasia,-New Zealand advanced little until the metal was discovered. Prior to: 1851, when the Ballarat gbldfields were first worked, Victorian development was infinitesimal. From 1524 to 1867, when the Gympie (the first- big) goldfield was found by James Nash, Queensland, was a disheartening failure, and, except for a few lucrative sheep stations and wheat -farms, gave slight encouragement to immigrants. Western Australia was hopelessly behind in the industrial race from, 1829 to 1889, when gold was discovered at Yilgarn. The moral can be read by him who runs. Otago was comparatively a small business^ until the rush to Gabriel's Gully took place in 1861.• The centre and ivest of the provincial district was up till then almost untenanted, while the eastern coast was but sparsely inhabited. Here and there an enterprising colonist -haU separated himself from lus kind by '"'■ scores' of'miles;->.and taken up,sheep -ov cattle runs in the heart of t-lie wilderness.. In course ,of time another advanced the outposts a further stage, but the most remote was not far awa^ ; iv 1861. After that the gold diggers became the squatters and the farmers, and each new year a larger area of land was applied to industrial purposes. The population and the wealth drawn and supplied by the goldfields galvauised the small community; and wealth always y begets its kind. Within a couple of decades flocks, herds, cultivated land, manufacture, and trade had increased at-a phenomenal rate, and many of the natural resources were ' being worked. In 30 years the white man had effected a wondrous change in this hitherto comparatively silent land. Probably only a British community, under British laws, could have done so much in so short a period, and then only with the original , stimulus supplied by gold discovery. The pioneers were a sturdy race, and, unlike .the Roman and Spanish colonists, did not make slaves of the aboriginal ■inhabitants to enrich the home country. They were industrious, and what wealth they gained was the fruit of their own labour. ■ They were as comparatively brave as the Roman, for while they frequently had to combat a strong.and intelligent native people they had courage enough to work unceasingly.- A peaceable class, they came to the uttermost ends of the "earth, and, going into the wilds, took life in their hands. In the glory of their bodily vigour they had to .build their own homes, clear their own fieius, fence their own pastures, dig their ■own. mines, found their own manufactures. ..' They inherited nothing but maiily strength and intelligence, and the opportunities which a new country opened up. And in the last they were rich indeed. True to their fatherland, they were true to themselves; and they performed their work like good and faithful servants. While Britishers from all sections of the United Kingdom have proved themselves great in colonising energy, there is to be observed in Otago history something characteristically Scottish. The Free Church settlers brought with them the.glorious traditions of freedom, independence, rugged courage, and indomitable perseverance which their ancestors had built up for them through centuries of struggling with Nature and with man in the wild Caledonian moorlands. With all her warlike fame Scotland has earned in later years commercial celebrity which equals, if. it does not exceed, the fighting record of an earlier time. And it is worthy of remark that the race which, of all Europe, alone defied the aggression of Roman arms in the extreme north should be the first to pioneer a greater civilisation in the southern end of the world. AREA, FEATURES, AND TOWNS. The Otago Provincial District comprises all the land south of the Canterbury district, and embraces scenery which has become famous. It is divided into two land districts, the Otago and the Southland, the former being 9,004,800 acres iv extent, and the latter 6,966, Sy2 acres. To-day over a vast portion of this area industry has extended its strong arm. Occasional .stfetchos of bush and a considerable extent of mountainous country are untenable. The Otago land district is , generally mountainous, but there are aisc plains, and rolling hills, and downs. , The Maniototo Plains are 28 'miles long I and 10 miles wide; the Manuherikia i Valley 35 by four miles; the Upper Clu- \-, tha Valley 33 by five miles; and the " v Idaburn Valley and the Taieri Plain \ apout 25 by four miles. Forests are > found north of Dune-din,- east of the - Tapanui Mountains, in the Upper Valley iff the Waikaia River, and towards the north-east coast, but the principal forest i| Tautuku—lo miles long by 15 miles i ttide^-which covers the boundary of , Otago and Southland. The land, where \ 'uncleared, is clothed with shrub and \ : fern and flax. There are \, charming drives throughout this coun-

try, and everywhere is some pleasant prospect of river, and valley, .mountain and lake, plain and gorge,, wandering coast aud secluded sound. Some of the plains are exceedingly rich, those of Inchclutha and Taieri particularly so, the former consisting entirely of alluvial deposit.

The sounds, mountains,' and rivers exhibit 'delightful scenery. ' Milford and the other sounds on "'the West Coast ■have become favourite resorts of Australian and European pleasure-seekers. Mnford Sound is unequalled in its graudem. Although only eight- miles long it is a cyclopean wonderland:- On leaving the ocean a steamer winds round and about high mountains, apparently bent on seeking destruction. Presently, a rift in the great .mass in front- is observed, and the gloom of "" a narrow gateway" is entered, 'through which rushes, an ice-cold wind. This "awful portal," as one writer describes it, leads into Milfor-d Sound. The wonderland is soon revealed. To the- right is Mitre Peak (5580 ft) and to the left Pembroke Peak (6710 ft). . The, surroundings are images of immensity, of giant force, of man's littleness—a scene which Fichte might have described as the, beautiful thought, of God symbolised. The bases of the amphitheatre of peaks are of rock rising perpendicularly out of the still water, in the case of Mount Kimterley to a height of 2500 ft of clean cut wall. Here a strange shape ..suggests .the name of Lion Rock, and all around Nature, in magnanimous wantonness, -seems to strive for still more majestic conceptions. Continues the' writer already quoted: ''Precipices of ice and snow ■rise one above the other until .the clouds stop further vision, and we cau see in spirit only the silent: everlasting glacier that, many, thousand feet above us, forms the summit.of mighty Pembroke! Held between the rocky walls.that grip them, these masses of ice and snow, threatening the lower space, seem

Torrents, methinks, that hearcl a mighty voice, And stopx'ed at once amid their maddest plunge.

" All round us, marshalled in grim array, rise towering heights whose 'tops are .mostly hid from view. The divided summits of Mitre Peak, untrodden as yet by human foot; its lofty neighbours, Mount Phillips and the Lawrenny Peak, rising shelf after shelf—each paved with ice—until a field of snow is reached 6700 ft above us. Directly in front, and forming the head of the sound, rising in one huge solid block of perpendicular wall 4.000 ft overhead, stands Sheerdown Hill, aptly so named, and parting by its enormous bulk the valleys of the Rivers Cleddau and' Arthur. Adjoining it the Barren Ranges rear their lofty heads 5125 ft into the sky, and from a lower ledge of these, fed by glaciers hid from view, descend the glorious Bowen Falls. Aot like ordinary falls are these, descending in unbroken lino, or winding round obstructing crag. Not seen until shooting over a rocky ledge, hio;h lip the mountain side, the rushing stream falls on a projecting crag some 70ft below, from which, hurled back with awful force, it seems to gather greater strength, .

To spring at oncewitli sudden lean, ■Down from the immeasurable steep, and falls into the water 470 ft below, an awful mass of seething foam and snfay." Peak after peak surrounds 1 tlie steamer, which, in comparison, appears as the tiny toy of the Titans around, .•streams start from the topmost heights and, burnished by the sun,, appear as silver nbbons catting the mountains into many parts. Sometimes one of these streams, as if weary of the downward rush, disperses in mist and spray and perhaps forms a stream p^ain a thousand feet below on the mount-sin side. A dash of spray, painted by the sun, resembles a million diamonds, whilst a glacier, lit by the same bright hand is decked with myriad twinklings. There are other sparkling falls, and" between the peaks are views of distant heights which make-the sound a mighty prison', frequently a mist descends and shuts out tae stately sights. Just beyond the ISowen Falls, on a narrow level strip is the house of Donald Sutherland, who lias lived in.this solitude for many -rears About 14 miles from the head of Mill lord Sound, in the valley of the Arthur Kiver, Sutherland discovered in November, 1880, gigantic falls, which have been named after him. These falls can be readied from the sound, or from settlement on the eastern sides of the mountains on the Wast Coast, They are set in a grand and picturesque environment, and measure from top to bottom 1904 ft divided into three leaps, the upper of which is 815 ft, the middle 751i£ and the lower 338 ft. The other sounds on the Vest Coast are also monumental m their Oeautv.

Inland, towards the west coast of Otago and Southland, are several lakes, winch have immy nth-active features J-hey are of glacial origin, iu -o very deep, and are situated in mountainous country. The principal of them are named To Alla" (132 square miles), Walratipu (114 square miles), Wanaka, Hawea, Ohau, Pukaki, Tekapo, Manapouri, and Hauroto. Lake Tekapo, which is 15 miles long, lies 2325 ft above sea- level. Steamers ply on some of these lakes, and at times command an interesting panorama. On a still day, when there is no ripple on the surface of the water, they seem to giido over a plain of glass. The near or distant shores are adorned with vegetation, while some rugged peak stands boldly sentinel. The whole country is pleasantly watered by rivers and streams, which have a charm of their own, and provide an unfailing supply of water. The principal rivers in the

Ocago land district are the C'lutha, Taieri, and Wait aid, the firsi; and last emerging from some of the lakes. The Clufchii is the largest, river in New Zealand, has a rapid current, is navigable for small steamers for 40 miles from its month, and is estimated to discharge 1,000,000 cubic feet of water per minute. The Taicri waters magnificent agricultural country. The- Southland land .district, which includes neighbouring islands, contains a number of welldefined rivers and valleys. The principal rivers are the Mabaura, Oreti, Aparima, and Waiau. The plains hereabouts are of alluvial formation, and in many places are very rich and fructive, being capable of producing any crop compatible with"-climatic conditions. In proportion to the population tho Government, have spent a large amount of money in constructing railways, bridges, and roads. Where settlement is thickest railways have been built, ami bridges thrown across the rivers. Roads penetrate the country on every side, while tracks have been formed for tourists among some of the western mountains. In the Dunedin division are 442 miles of railway, and in the Invercargill 360 miles. These include the main lines, with .various branches.

A fine example of the enterprise and industry of the Otago colonists is observed in the number of towns and villages which dot the habitable country. Projected on the hillsides, hidden in the valleys, scattered on the plains, or seated on the eastern shore, many of these are exceedingly picturesque. Where the soil is good, and that is in nearly every centre, the houses are surrounded by gardens, and the fields bounded by well-trimmed hedges. On the rivers is an occasional row of willow trees. In many of.the towns among the luxuriant native shrubbery the Australian gum tree (eucalyptus) is planted, burdening the atmosphere with its healthy perfume, and attaining in foliage and straightness of trunk frequently a^finer growth than usual in Australia. The towns are, as a rule, scientifically laid out in well-chosen sites, and possess an unusual width of street, with "(in the larger centres) ample reserves and pleasure grounds. Local governing bodies safeguard the interests of the inhabitants, and the European visitor would bo astonished to find in. a sequestered village modern- conveniences and regulations that he had deemed pecniitu-°tq an old world city. -,- In every centre are schools—State, and sometimes private— and in most of them libraries and other advanced institutions. Indeed, it might with some reason be asserted that New Zealand towns contain more progressive and modern institutions than most European centres of the same size. Here townsmen take more interest in civic, colonial, or even international affairs, and the people as a whole are* better educated, and therefore more intelligent. The mere necessities of a colonist demand that he shall observe and study and assimilate. Those characteristics, with the democratic and liberal views which seem..to be aroused by the exigencies of colonisation, are largely answerable for the splendid legislative measures which have emanated from New Zealand .and Australia, and been studied and sometimes adopted at the northern end of the globe.

Of Dinieclin and suburbs, with about 50,000 people, the previous supplement, treated somewhat exhaustively. Outside of'the capital the largest centres in the provincial district are Invercargill, with 10,000 inhabitants (Year Book, ISD9) : Onmaru, with 5372; Port Chalmers, with 2100; 'Mosgiul, with 1450 ; jVJilton, with 1300; Kaitangata, with i-j'l • Lawrence, with 1010 : Gore, with 2500; and Siverton, with 1000 inhabitants. Invercargill is the capital of the Southland district, and is one of the best laid-out towns in the Southern Hemisphere. Situated on a plain, it is the commercial depot of a- considerable area of country. It possesses liberal reserves in town belts; is well supplied with water, gas, and conveniences for disposing of sewage; and its streets are well- lighted, paved, and maintained. There are banking and large commercial institutions, and there are substantial industries, such as rope and twine, carriage and implement factories, flour and saw mills, fellmongeries, brick and pottery works, iron 'foundries, etc. Oamaru is the second town in the Otago land district, and lies on the coast "8 miles north of Dnnedin. It provides a harbour, formed liy a. concrete breakwater, for ocean-going ships, and has a substantial export of wool and grain. Port Chalmers is the chief port of Otago, and is eight miles from Dunedin, midway between the heads and the city. It. has ample accommodation for big steamers, with a valuable dry dock? Mosgiel, 10 miles inland from Dunedin, is celebrated for its woollen mills ; Milton is possessed of a flour mill, dairy factories, flax mill, pottery works, anil tannery; Kaitangata has extensive coalfields, and Lawrence goldfields; Gore, an important railway centre, has a large wool and grain trade, with meat-pre-serving works and gold-dredging .plants on the Mataura Eive.r; Riverton, a pretty seaport town, is fed by farmers, graziers, and gold miners. Among other towns in Otago are Waikouaiti (760), Palmerslon {775), Balclutlia (925), Cromwell (550), awl Qiieeustown (750).

INDUSTRY' AND COMMERCE. New Zealand Parliaments, more than those of other British communities, have made determined efforts to so classify the lands of the colony that the best results may be obtained-from them without giving undue preference to a man of capital. Advanced regulations have been enacted., one of the distino-mshin»-features of which is that perpetual tenancy of Crown lands is made possible Crown lands are disposed of for terms of 999 years, the rentals being based on the assessed value of the land at the time of disposal,--without increase or recurring valuation. Occupation is substantially as permanent here as on the basis of freehold, while similar rights are held of sale, sub-lease, mortgage, or disposition by will. Improvements made to the soil by cultivation, etc., are secured to the tenant.

capital cities never have existed.' New Zealand is generally prosperous, and while the land laws do not encourage the .accumulation of princely fortunes, they should enable every man not afraid to work to acquire a comfortable livelihood. The results are to be found n\ the flourishing, condition'of the primary industries.

Of these industries the pastoral in its different branches comes first in point of value. The most popular method of producers in the richest districts ; of Otago is to carry on what is known as -mixed farming," that is, to cultivate the soil, and to keep stock to serve the meat-freezing and-dairying industries. The fertility of the country encourages them,' and surprising returns are obtained proportionate to the acreage. Freehold land in the Maerewliemia and Oamaru districts ranges in value from £10 to £25 per acre? Besxues cereals, this country yields artificial grasses, and also root crops, and is capable of carrying from five to ten sheep per acre. In Central Otngo, Vnere are the largest pastoral areas, the whole expanse will cany at least one sheep to three acres, while the richer portions are able to hold one sheep to one acre. The carrying capacity of Southland is probably under the latter average. A large proportion of Central Otaeo is leased from the Government, under different ranges of tenure, the rentals varying from Id per acre to Is, according to value. Pastoral runs are limited to areas that will carry.2o,ooo sheep or. 4000 cattle The one-man-oiie-run system which has been adopted has not been a great success, and the Government are now trying, where they can, to cut up pliable land with these blocks so as to enable the holders to grow winter feed. Central Otago, like Australia, has been sorely afflicted by the rabbit pest iind by occasional droughts. Many of the oldest settlers have been ruined by the rabbit, and an enormous sum of money has been expended in the effort to eradicate the pest. Droughts have also cnused considerable loss. *a:id are :\nsv,-erablo -for . remarkable vagaries in the stock market, and for a recent failing oft'';u the exports. As a general' rule, the prices received for sheep for meat-freezing and for wool have madn '-pastoral pursuits highly lucrative. The best wool iiv ptneo corae-. from. Clinton, TVainahi, fienct, - and Tapanui. This, is of a ■ light and wellgrown character, and brings the top prices. In Otago there arc 3,961,451) ■sheep, and iv the opinion of some wellinformed men the country will soon arrive at its maximum carrying capacity. This presupposes, of course, that all the laud adapted to the purpose will eventually be devoted to agricultural and horticultural cultivation. In 1898' there were in the whole colony 19.673,725 sl'cep as against 20.230,529 in ISVi. The falling off is due to the large c-xoorfc of frozen mutton, :n\d to droughts causing death and affecting the natural increase. The export of wool for the whole colony for the year ending March 31, 1899, was valued at £4,273,000, and owing to an mcren.se in price that fgr the-year ending March, .1900, will prehably be £5,000,000. I,i order to get at the total wool produced the. quantity manipulated by Neiv Zealand mills must be added, a and in 180S amounted' to 3.763,8311b. In 1898 (Hago ■ exported 9,757,5971b of wool, valued at £310.512. To a very imp ortant 'extent -t!ie meatfreezing industry has vitalised pastoral interests in recent yo?,rs. After many disappointments and persistent efforts an export trade with England was established on a lucrative basis. Shipments of mutton raised in the colony leave regularly, and this export is not oaly a useful factor in local development, but has also served to reduce the cost of living to people in the old country. From the nucleus of a small establishment at Burnside, near. Dunedin, the whole meat-freezing industry of New Zealand has grown. It arose at a time/ when .the primary industries of the colony were in serious straits. The markets were glutted, and producers generally wore ' suffering.' Refrigeration and refrigerating chambers made it.-possible to take local sheep to unlimited -markets, and prices o. live stock and'land values have slowly risen ar, the cost of manipulation and export has decrease/I. Most of the prosperity that.lias distinguished New Zealand in comparison, to Australian colonies within-'the last decade must be ascribed to this factor. Now //ealaudgrown mutton brings a high price at Home.

There are nine meat, freezing and preserving works in Otago, the principal ones being at Bluff, Oaniaru, Bur-aside, and Port Chalmers. The machinery used is of a most modern description, and represents a big outlay of capital. In 189S New Zealand exported frozen meat valued at £1,098,750, and preserved meats valued at £97,171. The expansion has been magnificent; the total export iv 1882 was 1,707,3281b, and in 1599, j 88,992,7001b. To the latter quantity Otsgo contributed in the six months ending December 31, 1899, some 10,U;;0,4591b,. made up of 136,499 carcases of mutton weighing 8,042,7021b; 43,173 carcase.", of lamb weisrhin"----1,621,0811b, and 1,291,6161b of 'beef. The export of frozen beef is not so large in Otago as in the provinces of the North Island.

The prices of stock generally have increased greatly with this trade.* Sheep owners have been acquiring and breeifing a class of animals best adapted for meat freezing. Perhaps four-fifths of the slieep arc crossbreds, and the favoured breeds are Leicesters, Lincolns, IRomney Marsh, and Cheviots. The selling, price of sheep is usually largely determined by the price of frozen mutton in England. Good four and sixtooth store- wethers now sell at. from 12s 9d to lGs.'ld, and fat wethers from 15s to 16s. Thirty-six pound freezing weight lambs are worth at Burnside from 10s Dd to 11s, and good store lambs average 10s. A remarkable feature in these quotations is that store sheep bring ■practically the same price ;:s fat.* This is due to the,droughts in Central Otago and Canterbury having reduced the flocks, and to the enormous demands of the freezing trade. In order to get a sufficient number of sheep to run on their pastures landholders in Canterbury are willing to give the highest prices for store .sheep, and hence the apparent anomaly. Cattle and horses also sell well, and in regard to the former a state of things similar to t"ue sheen prevails. Store cattle are proportionately dearer, than fat. Three to four-year-old store s'teors'.-sell at from £5 5s to £6 as, and fat at about £1 per cwt. The export of beef is profitable, while good returns are received for frozen rabbits exported. Horses are very dear, and good draughts for farmers are worth from £35 to £40, while ordinary breeds bring from £25 to £30. Lorry horses sell readily at from £45 to £55. There are iv the province 189,249 cattle, and 53,759 horses.

There are very decided advantages in this system. Instead of locking up his capital in the original purchase of land the settler can apply it to improving his selection, which' lie is able to rapidly bring into a producing state. And the poor man is able to go on the land, where previously the "want of money debarred him. The area is restricted, and throughout all the grades and special classes of settlement the principle of "the land for the people" is followed. By such enactments as these Nerr Zealand has become essentially a country of- opportunities for those who have bodily vigour, thrift, and industry. Had the principles incorporated in the land laws here been adopted in Australia several decades n"o that group of colonies would undoubtedly now be in a much more advanced stage of development. The area cultivated would be immensely larger, and tha intense evils of centralisation in the

The dairying industry is not so large in Otago as in some other New Zealand provincial districts. Offirjg, perhaps, to

the profitable condition of the meatfreezing industry, and the adaptability of the soil for • agriculture, the same amount of attention has not been devoted to dairying. But the quality of butter and cheese produced is of the highest, while a Stilton cheese manufactured in Southland is considered to bo equal to the English. There are about 60 dairy factories in the provincial ' district, which exported in "1899 8713Jcwt of butter, valued at £37,273, and* 23,228cwt of cheese valued at £4G:G39. In 1898 the export was: Butter, G722cwt, valued at £27,096, and cheese, 33,020cwt, valued at £63,759. In Southland is a factory for preserving mills on the Swiss system. There is every likelihood that this industry will expand in the future. Fanners have exercised a great deal of care in securing herds good for milk and cream, and they ■quickly weed out and sell inferior animals. Each cow is tested for percentage of ,6reain,sand also to discover whether it ;£is free from tuberculosis. The industry is subjected to official supervision, and for this purpose highly trained men from the old woi|d are engaged. A fine system for safeguarding it lias been established by the! Government. A dairy school, with capable instructors, has been founded, officials for grading the produce have been appointed, dairying associations have been formed, and useful information is freely disseminated. In his re.port dated Wellington, April 30, 1899, the Dairy Commissioner, Mr J. A. Ruddick, states " that New Zealand appeals to offer a splendid field for the economics! production of milk and manufacture of first-class cheese and butter. The soil is fertile, and, stimulated by an abundant rainfall, produces a luxuriant growth of grass for a long season. The genial climate, while promoting the comfort of dairy cattle, is ver^' suitable for the making of butter or cheese. The absence of severe winter weather obviates the necessity of housing stock in expensive buildings, or providing very large quantities of fodder, and should "enable the dairy farmer to produce milk profitably at all seasons of the year." New Zealand in these respects is more fortunately situated than many other large butter-producing countries, and, notwithstanding distance from the market, can compete successfully with them even with smaller profits. Of- 1.203,024 cattle in the colony in 1599, 333.536. were dairy cows. It is estimated that the average cow produces in New Zealand 2001b of butter annually, or 5001b of cheese.

; As already inferred the pastoralists of Congo are in many cases the agriculturists. Country that will carry from •eight to ten sheep to the acre is bound i° t?'ve '-'o returns of grain crops, etc. In Otago and Southland ore large areas of the highest quality of soils. FarmIng here more nearly resembles the Enzjlish methods than us::al in Australasia, flu the principal districts, as already 'stated, the rainfall is reliable, and in some systems of drainage must be resorted to. Tims the western district of Southland, for years unsuitable for extensive cultivation, required only systematic draining and liming-to make it or.c of the. most productive in the colony. The area of pliable land is large, and is being improved every year. The ICdenclale Estate, owned by the New Zealand and Australian Laud Company, has been subjected to rigorous treatment, and is now returning large crops of wheat and oats, whereas a few years ago it could only 'produce! the latt'ev, being considered too cold and wet for the more important cereal. In Central Otago a fine quality of wheat is grown, and on the Msniiototo Plains -10 bushels to the acre arc frequently obtained. Thoro is wheatgrowing country almost throughout the area extending from Oamaru to Maniototo, and in favoured places the yielding capacity is enormous. The Taieri Plain is at once the oldest and one of the richest farming localities in the provincial district. Land there for 'farming purposes is worth £30 an. acre, and produces at times 120 bushels of oats per aero, and from 40 to GO bushels of wheat. The Taieri also grows magnificent root crops. The Tokomairiro (Milton) district, which has been drained and limed, is exceedingly fructive. In the various valleys near DtmecHn at this time of year are to be seen lovely fields of cats and corn rising above the fences, and rippling over the whole surface under the wind. Inland, north and south, one observes many evidences of a nourishing agricultural people. From their substantial homesteads, which they have beautified to good purpose, to the general appearancs of their outhouses and farms ■ tiiey must be praised for excellent management. Because of the rainfall, and tho certainty that they will obtain a crop of some sort, these people are much more enviably situated than their brethren in Australia. The only difficulty is the market, but what they lack in price they make up to a certain extent in abundance of yield. And by their system of mixed farming they are sure "to get profitable returns from their stock, dairy, or grain. Wheat, oats, barley, turnips, mangolds, beets, and? even linseed are produced. Potatoes and onions can l)e grown in abundance, but, as a rule, owing to the frequency with which the market is glutted, they are not popular crops. The cost of 'working a farm is considered to be less in New Zealand than in England. Even though wages are higher there is a greater number of fine days, the soil is more easily worked, and stock can run in the fields in winter. Powerful steam machinery has in some instances been employed, and the latest types of implements are in general use. It is estimated that owing to the size of the paddocks one man or boy is equal to two men or boys in England. The cost of producing wheat and oats is placed at about £2 per acre, differing, of course, where the soil is light or heavy.

ensilage, and 53 for feeding down with stock.' The area sown or intended to h: sown in. 1899-1900 is: For tbrcshiun--60,915 acres, for chaffing 53 acres, for ensilage nil; and for feeding down with stock 35 acre.?. The favourite varieties of wheat are Hunter's white, pearl, and velvet chaff-for winter sowing, and red and white' tuscan for spring." Third in the list is barley, and ; n the 1898-99 season 14,063 acres were sown for threshing and yielded f!40,191 bushels, or an average of 31.30 bushels, while 255 acres were" .sown for feeding down with stock The-area in 1899-1900 is: For threshing ■12,G0G acres, and' for feeding down 3d a acres. A fair quantity of barley is used locally for malting, but there is room for any amount of expansion in this cultivation. Some 1720 acres were cultivated in rye. for threshing in 1898-9, and yielded 39,388 bushels, or 22.90 bushels per acre, and 692 acres were sown for feeding down with stock. The area in 1899-1900 is: For threshing 1656 acres, and for feeding down with stock 1585 acres.'' Of other crops Hi acres were sown in 1898-9 in peas, and in 1599-1900 73 acres; in beans in-1888-9 17 acres, and in 1899-1900 6 acres; in vetches and tares, in 1898-9, 18 acres, arid in 1599-1900, 45 acres; in linseed in IS9B-9, 390 acres, and in 1899-1900, 523 acres. It will be seen that there is a general decrease in the area cultivated . in- the present season, more attention being devoted in the last year or two to. grasses'and root crops." In 1898-9 .some 1,325,425 acres were sown in grass or clover after the land had been ploughed:

There is an excellent opportunity for fruit cultivation in Otago, but very little enterprise lias been shown in this direction. There is no reasonMvliy the provincial district should not 'become a large producer of fruit for export, but as yet, in some varieties, it does not .supply enough for local consumption. Fruit does not seem to-be a popular article of diet in the city, largely, probably, because of the high prices charged by retailers. Serious attention should be devoted, to this matter, and as the Government have stepped in to encourage other industries they have no excuse for holding; back in this. Whore orchards have been planted disappointment ha.s frequently met the producer's .efforts. Owing to the small consumption, quantities of locally-grown fruit-have-to be destroyed, and all the time in the city prices continue high. While quantities of locally-grown fruit have to be destroyed owing to the want of a market, quantities nro imported from California' and Australia, even of those varieties that can be grown here. It is an anomalous position that calls for intervention of some kind. Apples yield an abundant harvest, as also do strawberries, raspberries, and socseherrie.s. Plums, apricots, and peaches yield well. The country from Roxburgh to Lake Wanaka is suitable for growing grapes in- the open air, either for the table, or for wine making. Preserving fruit factories should thrive, but at present there are only three iv existence in Otago.

. New. Zealand as a whole, is rich in minerals, and Otago"'has 'its share, of wealth. :Gold is the principal export,' but' there are largo deposits of "coal and iron. The iron deposits are substantial, and with coal in

the neighbourhood should yet add abundantly to the wealth of the province! First class brown coals are worked in several parts of the provincial district, the principal localities being Shag Point, Green Island, Kaitangata, and Nightcaps. Beds of lignite arc numerous, while thin seams of coal cf abituininous character are found in Southland. The output of coal, and lignite in 1898 amounted to 280,043 tons, as agsiuat 255,996 tons in 1897. There was a further increase ill 1899.

Gold mining since IS6I has been a most valuable industry, and the total export siv.ee 1557 has haew 5,424,1550z. valued at-£21.470,005.' The stimulating effect of .this enormous output is past estimation. ■ The annual yield has served to bring important sums of money into the provincial district, which liav,e been circulated' among all classes of the community. During "1893, for instance, gold valued afc £223,231 was exported! and proved ever so much more advantageous than would double- the amount obtained in loans on the English market. From the Year Book, 1899, it is gathered that in April, IS9G, .sonic 202 hands, earning £17.2(37 in wages, were employed in quartz mines in. Ocngo, while the machinery and plant-engaged had an approximate value of £55,550. In the same year 391 hp.ncls were employed ill hydraulic gold-mining works, and earned hi wages £30,G75. The yield from this source was valued at £74^51 S. In April, 1396, also, 230 hands were employed in gold " dredging works, and earned in wages, with 28 men employed in Nelson, £27,124, while the yield in these two provinces was valued at £70,016, or 18,1240z. The capital invested in gold dredging amounted to £161,909, and the approximate value of machinery and plant was £80,003. By far the most interest in mining at present is centred in gold dredging. During the last decade important .developments have taken place in the machinery used for this purpose, and in the amount of. capital invested therein. During 1899 excellent returns were obtained, and any amount of excitement was aroused. The effect on trade in Dunedin was considerable, and foundry men were kept uncommonly busy iv constructing dredges. At the present time there is great activity on the local Stock Exchange, and thousands of people are expecting profits from money invested in dredgiug companies. -Within 12 or 15' months about 100 companies with an aggregate capital of upwards of £1,000,000, were floated in Otngo. Thereturns for 1899 amounted to 4G,1500z. It is estimated that about 200 dredges are at work or in course of construction, and that quite 50 per cent, of them will return profits. Each dredgo employs an average of seven bands, not to mention teamsters, tradesmen, clerks, and mechanics who are indirectly engaged, and it is conjectured that 2000 men will soon be obtaining a livelihood from dredging. The principal dredging localities are on the Clutha River, aud along the Molyneux and Kawarau, and the railway is being extended from Banfurly to serve this industry. Some ! amount of difficulty has arisen here as in Victoria concerning the riparian rights on the rivers.

Agricultural statistics published in the previous supplement are worth reproduction here. Some 2,209,80S acres are cultivated in Otago in crop, grass, or fellow. Otago and Southland are noted for their production of oats. This is their principal crop, the area cultivated in 1898-9 being 220,427 acres, which yielded 8,774,770 bushels, or 39.50 bushels per acre. This is a very fine return, although the yield frequently runs up to SO bushels. The varieties mostly sown are sparrowbill, winter dun, Canadian, Tavtary, and Danish. A large export trade with Australia is carried on in this product. Besides the area'iinder oats for threshing there were 6(5,282 acres under the same cereal for chaffing, 133 acres for ensilage, and i:oi4 acres for feeding down with stock. In 1899-1900 the area sown or intended to be sown in oats for threshin" is 209,938 acres, for chaffing 00,264 acres, for ensilage 644- acres, and for feeding down with stock 3155 acres. Wheat is the next principal cereal cultivated. In 1898-99 there were 99,752 acres sown for threshing, which yielded 3,329,G(i0 bushels, or an average of 33.37 bushels per acre; 69 acres for chaffing, 30 for

Otago is offering an object lesson to the world on dredgiug and dredge construction. Even the ingenious American is copying the- plans drawn up by local engineers, while orders for dredges have been received from so remote it country as Russia. The dredge used today is a great advance on the cumbersome dredges of 20 yenrs ago. The fundamental principles vary slightly, but the capacity and strength have been improved with advantage. The publication, -" Gold Dredging in Otago," issued by the Otago Daily Times in 1899, thus describes the machinery : —

<: The ■ modern dredge consists of two pontoons braced together at a distance of from 4ft to sft, forming the well in which the bucket ladder works. The bucket ladder swings upon an axle, so that it can bo raised ov let down -as occasiou requires by the.gallows at one cud of -the pontoons. Along the bucket ladder works the bucket belt, travelling over drums at either end of the ladder. The buckets are iron or steel scoops, and scrap 9 up and deliver the gravel and gold into the cylinder, which sorts the big stones from the sand and small gravel, which are passed over the tables, upon which the gold Vis retained. The winches, which are most essential appliances for the safety of the dredge, serve the purpose 'of. shifting the position of the dredge, and as a matter; of course the dredge is also kept by them in a. stationary position. An anchor is also in frequent requisition, and may likewise be used in shifting the dredge. Where shore lines are practicable they are used for anchoring the dredge, but in a wide river like the Molyneux below Alexandra, anchors only are used. The elevator is an appliance for delivering and depositing the tailings at such a distance from the dredge: as not to run back into the excavations at the bottom of the river from whicli the gravel and gold are being raised. Besides"these appliances there are pump, engines, blacksmith's shop, and sometimes engineer's and carpenter's shops."

This industry may be said to have .b<sen. founded in 1880, and has been pursued with such inspiriting enterprise that one cannot now estimate to'- what proportions it may grow. The area .of country capable of being worked is enormous, and Southland is likely to excel Otago in its output. There are, vast deposits of auriferous quartz drift among tho plains, valleys, and bills, and in one place and another large centres are sure to- arise wholly ' because of the recent developments in dredging. Says the publication quoted above: "It 'would be idle ana altogether beside the purpose of this series to discuss whence this wealth of auriferous drift was derived. Suffice it to say, that the supply is'not stopped yet, and that with every flood overflowing the low lands of the Mataiwa Valley the silt left behind by the receding water is found upon 'trial to ; contain gold,, which in favourable localities pays good wages, either by sluicing or cradling, to a. number, of, men. "Spot's are met with that pay handsomely, hue. as a rule, the returns are moderate and regular. Taking Otago as a whole, however, it is considered to rival in permanence and productiveness any gold-min-ing district of similar extent' in the world. .Big returns must not bo expected, for dredging does-not generally yield rapid fortunes: The big- proportion of people in Ofcago who have invested in this industry must- be content with small profits: but, on. tho other hand, it can be reckoned that this investment is more likely to be successful than would that in a quartz claim., A boom should be deprecated, and bccau;.e of the number of people directly employed in dredging there is no occasion for ifc. No form of gold mining demands legitimate working : more.. The wealthy men, as well sp' the meplianic?y-clerksj and housemaids, who have put tb eir. savings' into the industry must possess their souls iv patience.

The manufactures of Otago'.are in a comparatively forward stated the value in 1895 being set down as £2,153/173. Reference.has. already been made..to the woollen mills, freezing establishments,, and .dairy' factories. There are five of the first, which in IS9B employed 800 hands, roceiviug in wages £51,300 per annum. These mills turn out upwards of worth of manufactured goods annually, and the reputation of one or two of them is known throughout Australasia. It is encouraging to observe that local people "are conviuced of the excellence of the tweeds, blankets, etc., produced at these mills, and are purchasing them in preference to the imported articles. There are nine clothing factories in Otago employing 700 hands, whose wages amount to £28,000 per annum. In all (Blue Book. 1898) there are 516 industrial establishments in Otago, employing 7055 persons. These include bone mills and artificial manure factories (4) ; large • lime and cement ■works;- brick, tile, and pottery manufactories (30); agricultural implement factories (12); boot and shoe factories (14); boat building (G); coachbuilding (!S); felbnongeriug, tanning, wool-scour--ing establishments. (23); aerated ' water and cordial manufactories (22); breweries (17); coffee and .spice works (5); ink-making. establishment (1); paper mills (3) ; rope and twine works (G); soap and candle making (1); gasworks (6); and sawmills and door and sashmaking factories (51). There are 24 foundries, including brass founders and coppersmiths, stove and range manufactories, and iron rolling wofks... There are also piano factories. There are 18 bacon curing establishments, 8 fish-cur-ing and preserving works, 2 rabbit-pre-serving works, 23 grain mills, C sugar boiling and confectionery works, 6 malt houses, 2 colonial wine-making establishments, 3 sauce and pickle factories, 1 vinegar works, 1 glue factory, 2 boil-ing-down works, 3 cooperages, 4 wood ware factories, 0 chaffenttiug establishments, 1 paper bag and box factory, 1 tobacco pipe factory, (i tinware factories, 29 printing offices, 4- basket and perambulator factories, 2 brush and broom factories, 1 cutlery factory, 4 cycle factories, 2 saddlery and harness factories, 1 portmanteau factory, 8 sail and oilskin factories, 13 furniture .factories, 4 Venetian blind works, 2 starch manufactories, 4 chemical works, 1 hematite paint factory, 1 sheep dip factory, 1 match factory, 2 flock-mills, 3 cleaning and dyeing works, 2 waterproof factories, 3 hat and cap factories, 3" stocking weaving factories, 1 bagv and sack factory, and 7 ftax mills.

-£462,883. The shipping inwOTds Otago ports for the same year represented 137,564 tons, and outwards 155,008 tons. , -

This sketch, in addition to thai published a few weeks ago, will serve to show ihe progress made by the Otago coloiusts during tlie last 50 years. From a country silent and unfruitful since'the Creation, except for the primitive efforts of the Maoris, the provincial district has grown to be a precious part of i the British Empire, inhabited 'by tlie contented children of the United Kingdom. On every side the homes of white men are- now to be seen, and' great industries, manufactories, financial institution^, and a profitable trade are being conducted. The' pioneers took possession of a glorious heritage, which their enterprise au'd industry are utilising to N the utmost, and neither good hap nor sorrow will'hinder the gathering of the * fruits of this beautiful island of the Pacific.'

When it is reckoned that these various industries and factories are owned by about 173.000 people, the importance of Otago as a producing and manufactur-' ing -provincial district will be better appreciated. Dunetlin if; the commercial capital of New Zealand, and its merchants have branch warehouses all over the colony. "While not the largest city in New Zealand, it is probably the wealthiest, a statement that is borne out by the value of local manufactures, the vitality of trading institutions, and the .superior class of buildings observed in the streets. The total value of exports from the provincial district in ]89S was £1,723,465, of which £1,238,324 went to the United Kingdom, £239,13-1 to British colonies and possessions, and £25,079 to foreign States. The exports in 18S9 were valued at £2,163,10-1, 1898 being the lowest in the decennial ucriod. The imports for 1898 amounted to £1,933 ; 116, and in 1889 to £1,928,299. Of the imports in 18SS, £1,219,393 came from the United Kingdom, £447,861 friun British colonies and possessions, and £265,802 from, foreign. States. The customs arid excise duties collected from Otago ports in 189S were: Oamaru £12,105; Dimedin, £395,147; and Invercargill, £52,631; or a total of