GREEN ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 851, 21 March 1868, Page 15

GREEN ISLAND.

(FPvOM A COKItESPONDENT.)

14th March, 1868.

The fears aroused by Maori predictions, that rains and floods were to occur last week, surpassing in magnitude any yet experienced, are now evaporated, aid a more rational belief entertained that perturbations in nature conform to other laws than the erratic blooming of the flax, from which it appears the Natives derive their auguries. For the last fortnight, the weather has been all that could be desired for harvest operations, and farmers have taken ample advantage of it ; .considerably more than one half of the

crops are being secured in most excellent condition. Though cereals will by no means average last year's yield, yet little fear need be entertained that we shall have insufficient supplies. These fears are more ideal than real. This year's crops will prove amply sufficient for the population, and a great deal to spare besides. Anticipating an unprecedented rise in the price of wheat, some knowing ones realised handsome profit in purchasing at low prices. From a careful examination made of the receipts and expenditure on a well conducted farm of 60 acres, expenses in servants' wages, horse support and gear, ' implements, tear and wear, &c. , being taken into consideration, I find the farmer's income by no means extraordinary. There can be no doubt that the public at present are meekly bearing a tax upon bread for which there is not the slightest cause, yet farmers are not as a general rule the gainers. Fluctuations and extremes in prices will ever exist so long as the Province remains without a properly regulated market and corn exchange, where the buyer and Fellers could meet and confer on equal terms. For seven years there has been a continuous cry for these essentials in every agricultural country, as well as a cattle market ; but the consummation appears to be as far off as ever. To a stranger' it seems a curious paradox that large sums have been expended upon exhibitions and buildings of little ■utility, while works of necessity are absolutely ignored. Does it not appear as if Colonial governments were pursuing phantoms? 1 Any measure that would regulate the price of wheat would also regulate the price of bread. On the other hand, bread is now approaching in price to that which caused riots in the Home country. The prices of J the necessaries of life in this Province are ' faithfully registered and sent in numerous letters by every Mail, and we are I well aware the effect they have in deciding the choice of the intending emigrant.

It is with much satisfaction I observe an advertisement in the Gazette, conforming to a suggestion made by me some time ago. with regard to promoting and encouraging the introduction of woollen manufactures. This 13 a step in the right direction. The public are prone to carp at the Government for their nonprogression and want of discernment, but surely they must allow them on this occasion well-merited credit. Men without encumbrance, and wealthy bachelors, of whom this Province can boast not a few, have little idea the expense heads of families incur in the article of clothing alone. Fast-growrn« girls require a constant renewal, while romping ones require a continual plying ot the mother's needle to repair the rents and fractures. New suits, to boys climbing trees, riding fences, and playing marble o—and0 — and their expense is by no means trifling — soon show signs of decay, so much so that the substitution of leather itself could scarcely stand the tear and wear of the incessant friction ; and as to boots and shoes, the expense is ruinous. Tf imported ones be used, afew wee ks' travelling through grass and bad roads soon brings them to grief, necessitating meiidings at a price which would neai'ly purchase a new pair. If, on the other hand, the measurement is taken, it is ton to one, that in a month they are thrown aside half worn, having become too small or pinching the feet. Heads of families then would hail with satisfaction, the manufacture of good wearable qualities at reasonable rates ; and any manufacture or invention that would cheapen boots and shoes would bo regarded as a god-send ; for when the bills of bakers, butchers, clothiers, grocers, shoemakers, doctors (and their charges are not the least ex orbitant), payment for education and religion, and other incidental expenses, are taken into consideration, it requires the careful management and calculation of men of limited incomes to keep out of debt, and make both ends meefat the end of the year.

Turkey a>'d Crete — The concessions prayed for by the Cretan delegale* assembled at Canea by the Grand Vizier hay*> formed tbo subject ot consideration at two councils of Turkish Ministers, and ir, is said that the grant of two out of six has been decreed — those asking for the exemption of the island from taxation, for a term of y^ars, and for the abolition of the bedelieh, or tax levied from tbe Christians in lieu of military service. The other four demands have also been favourably received, and will also, in all probability, be conceded by the Government with some slicrht modifications. lv the matter of judicial reform alone, the new scheme of government for the island contains improvements on the state of things even in the capital itself, which would be worth fighting for if resistance to constitiited authority were justifiable under any circumstances whatever. '

Mr Folly's model for the O'Connell National Monunn-nt has been unanimously adopted by the Committee. The work will be forty feet high, executed in bronze and granite. LlO,oo()isalready subscribed towards the cost of its erection