AUCKLAND NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14685, 19 November 1909, Page 8

AUCKLAND NOTES

(From Oce Own Cor.RESPo.s-Dr.xT.)

AUCKLAND, November 18.

CATHOLIC DEVELOPMENT.

With the object of providing for the future development of the Catholic Church in the Auckland Province, Bishop Lenihan has of late been acquiring large propcities in various parts of li» diocese. One of the most important purchases is the Old Falls Hotel, Henderson, with 18 acres of land attached, the price being £1857. A section of two acres at Morrinsvillo has also been acquired, as well ni> large sections at Puriri and Hikutaia. A number of city properties have also been purchased, including a section of one and three-quarter acres on Epsom avenue, between Mount Eden and Epsom; also a section 16ft by 63ft in East street and adjoining tho St. Benedict's Hall, and a property of two acres in Vermont street, Ponsonby. Another large deal is also pending. THE FREEZING SEASON. The Freezing Company intends commencing killing lambs on December l. H is stated that the prospects for the season are even more promising than last year, though there was an exceptionally good .season, during which 90,000 iambs were pnti through. The season will not be in full swing until January. The company is, however, at present fully occupied in preparing bref for export. All the available killing space is taken up, and 80 head of cattle are put through daily. The market for beef at present -i.s very firm, and the shipment- for the Home market is fully booked. THE POTATO BLIGHT.

The potato blight, according to some Aucklanl mcichams interviewed on Satin.day by a Herald lepresentative, has made its appearance in the district. •Up to within a fortnight ago the potato crops showed great promise; now some of them are reported to be affected by blight. Instances have been given of potato patches that wo'.dd be apparently in splendid condition one evening being next morning blackened with the blight. The crops at PuUekohe, Pammive, and in the Northern Waikatd are stated to be amongst t-hosj smitten. Large growers'are adopting iu vigorous spraying policy. Those holding snudl areas in and around Auckland are"! at the first appearance of the pest, digging up their crops. During November "and December the upper part of the Waikato, known as the early potato area, generally supplies Auckland, but if tho bligJit continues to spread the crops may be checked in (heir growth. Tho opinion was generally expressed, however, that if spraying is carried out assiduously the crops will finally mature, so that it is unlikely that the supplies will be alarmingly small. It is considered probable, however, that Auckland will not be able to supply, as it generally does, Napier, Wellington, or the southern markets with its new potatoes, but will have its mm needs to look after. Luckily the crops in the south are earlier than -usual this year, so that they will have their own supplies to draw upon. Farmers state that the weather we have experienced latterly -has been very .conducive to the blight spreading rapidly