ANGLO-COLONIAL NEWS,

Otago Witness, Issue 1148, 29 November 1873, Page 6

ANGLO-COLONIAL NEWS,

We take the following items from the Home News and European Mail ; —

Mr W. G-. Grace does not intend at present to settle in Australia. During the past cricket season Mr Grace made close upon 3000 runs.

"Anglo. Australian" hears that Mr Farjeon is to furnish the whole of the Christinas number of Tinsley's Magazine. The Stock Exchange Committee have ordered the five per cent, debentures for £ 500,000, issued in July last by the New Zealand Government, to be quoted in the official list. Messrs R. Duncan and Co., shipbuilders at Glasgow, have just contracted for the construction of two large sailing ships of 1200 tons each for Messrs Patrick Henderson and Co.'s New Zealand line of sailing ships.

An extraordinary meeting of the London and Australasian Agency Corporation (Limited), was held on October 2, when the resolutions recently passed in favour of the undertaking being wound up voluntarily were confirmed. The London Echo says :— " The number of grocers' shops in which they are now a prominent article of commerce, and the continual appearance of fresh kluds of Australian and New Zealand meat, spring lamb, curried rabbit, ox cheeks, sheep's tongues, kidney Boups, spiced beef, kangaroo, &c, &c., plearly demonstrate how gladly the English pUtShc will buy anything in the shape of cheay meat."

The directors of the London and St. Ks^ therine Docks Company, in view of the fact; that offers have been made to the trade to* receive wools at lower rates, feeling it incum* bent on them to place their friends and customers in a no less favourable position as respects charges, have therefore given notice that on all wool entered for warehousing with the company, from September 30, the existing consolidated rate win be subject to a discount of 20 per cent., being, upon the bulk of the wools imported, the equivalent of the reduction of rates so offered.

Mutton in tallow was a risky shipment not very long ago, and debit notes were not unknown in connection therewith. A change seems to be impending, if, indeed, it has not already come. Three shipments of muttonhams thus packed and forwarded from Lyttelton, New Zealand, ex Warwick, exßrechin Castle, and the other ex Beautiful Star, have come to hand in very fair condition. The three shipments numbered 20,000 hams, and weighed about sixty tons. The whole were sold in a single line at a price Baid to be satisfactory to the shippers, and the whole lot is being rapidly passed into the hands of retailers, whose customers speak very highly of them.

The steamer Sunfoo, the rirat vessel despatched by the Eastern and Australian Company to open the new mail line beteween Singapore, Queensland, and New South Wales, via Torres Strait, left the docks on September 27. The Sunfoo is 1400 tons register, and is commanded by Captain Clark, who has been long acquainted with the navigation of the Strait. She ia fitted with cabin and saloon accommodation for 44 first-class and 30 second-class passengers. The new mail service thus projected will be commenced in November, and will alternate with the present service to Melbourne, via Galle.

The Home News compares the system adopted by the Agents-General of the Auttralasian Colonies with that adopted by the Americans, in order to procure emigrants, to the disadvantage of the former. Our contemporary says that by the Australian eystem "red tape and printed forms are greatly affected, whilst the proprieties of officialdom are strictly adhered to. That even this mode of procedure has some advantages cannot be denied, but the whole system wants remodelling sadly. The Agent-General for New Zealand is, perhaps, less trammelled by routine than any other, and 'he has had his reward.' During the past month he has despatched four vessels."

Mr Buckmaster has been lecturing at the School of Cookery on "Australian meats and how to cook them in a quick and simple form." The audience who tasted the soup, stew, hotch-potch, and minced collops to which they were treated, evidently appeared to think them extremely savoury. Of their nutritious qualities there is not the slightest doubt, and if the working and middle classes of England are to feed their children on meat diet they mu?t of necessity resort to the excellent food sent over in tins from Australia, the price of which is certainly not half that of English butchers' meat. The lecturer felt confident that the existing prejudice must gradually but surely die out. The meats axe in good demand just now,

Northern agricultural and pastoral association's show.

(PB.OM OUR OWN COKBESPONDENT.)

The great event df special interest to those bonnected with agricultural and pastoral pursuits — the annual exhibition of live stock, dairy produce, and implements — came off (on Thursday, (November 20th), with marked success. The weather for a few days previously had been threatening rain, and great anxiety was naturally felt on the morning of the show lest the day should prove unfavourable, and thus mar the anticipated success of the tenth occasion for the display of the produce of this large district. With the exception of some heavy showers, however, the day proved very suitable. The attendance was larger than on previous years — She gates realising upwards of £80, the admission being a shilling. The arrangements were on the whole satisfactory ; but from the miserable habit of procrastination in making entries, and the delay in. starting to judge, there was not that smoothness and regularity which the Secretary had a right to expect from the careful attention he had bestowed for some days to have everything in thorough readiness for a satisfactory exhibition. Both in point of numbers and quality of exhibits I do not err in stating tftat the Show before was never exceeded. In the classes of draught horses the display was simply grand ; but many good judges expressed an opinion that one or two sections of young colfcs and fillies were not in corresponding quality to the aged mares and horses shown. In short-horn cattle the show was good in quality, but competition there was none, as the Hon. M. Holmes was the only exhibitor. The settlers of the district have not yet discovered the vast superiority of this kind of cattle for the rich pasture and fine climate it possesses. The influence, however, of the prize blood so spiritedly introduced by Mr Holmes will have a good and widespread effect upon the ordinary cattle which form the staple of the neighbourhood. The Ayrsh re was well represented, and the quality was as near perfection as possible. The long-woolled classes of sheep were fully exhibited, and the quality excellent ; in fact, the Lincolns were, with their long and thick mas 3of lustrous wool, like moving bales of that which forms our chief export to Great Britain. The dairy produce was excellent, and out of the 67 entries of butter it was a hard matter to decide which, should be honoured with the red ticket in the respective kinds. Of implements there was not a large turn-out, but in reapers there were some good examples of local skill and enterprize. The less said the better about poultry, for of all the shows I have attended the exhibits iv this class were the poorest ; and I record it as my opinion that herein our farmers and others make a mistake. My time at the present is so limited, that I must confine my remarks to a few of the principal exhibits. The draught entire, Duke of Buccleugh, shown by the Hon. M. Holmes, was in grand condition, and was justly admired, llis estimated value is 1000 guineas. Amongst the brood mares and gelding? there were really some very sui>erior animals, which would do no discredit to the Highland Society's Show in Scotland. Messrs Fleming and Hedley, Menlove, Chrystal, and others, took prizes — the first-named gentlemen taking the 20 guinea cup. Of course, as before remarked, Mr Holmes had it all his own way with shorthorns, and deservedly got the cup of same value. The cup for Ayrslures was awarded to the New Zealand and Australian Land Co., the splendid cow "Primrose" getting the prize for the best animal in the yard of the breed. She was afterwards sold to the Hon. M. Holmes. The Merino Cup of 20 guineas went to Mr J. M'Leau, and the 20-guinea cup for long-woolled sheep fell to the Hon. M. Holmes, the competition in both kinds being very keen. The ten guinea prize for daii'i produce was awarded to Mr JR. Jackson, of Cave Valley. The dinner was spread in the long room of the Star and Garter Hotel, and the abundant and choice provision for the guests made by Mr Procter, was highly creditable. Upwards of forty gentlemen tat down to table ; the chair was taken by the president of the Association, Dr Webster, M.P.C., at half -past seven p.m., and was supported on either side by Mr John M'Lean, Hon. George Buckley, Hon. M. Holmes, and Hon. H. Miller. The other end of the table was presided over by the Vice-Presidents, Messrs Nelson and Mouat.

After the protracted stay on the show ground, and the toils of judging, &c, of course, due justice was done to the viands, and thereafter, the Chairman proposed the toast of "The Queen and Itoyal Family," which was drank with all the honours.

The other loyal toasts were duly proposed and honoured.

Dr Webster responded to "Army, Navy, and Volunteers" — Major Steward being abseat.

Mr Mouat proposed "The Governor;" and in doing so, expressed his regret that arrangements could not have been made to have had him present at the Show, as it syaa seen from the remarks he made at a dinner after a similar exhibition at Cbristphurch, how greatly interested he was in agricultural and pastoral pursuits ; and the Colony might be congratulated in having a Governor who was disposed to exert his influence towards the promotion of the object of such Associations. Had he been on the ground that day, he was stire that he would ftave given a similar compliment to what he

gave the Directors of the Canterbury Association. The toast of "The Colonial Legislature" was acknowledged by Hon. H. J. Miller, in a good, sensible speech. The " Provincial Council" was coupled with the name of Mr J. M'Lean, M.P.C., who in reply paid a high compliment to the spirit and energy of the Otago Council, as compared with those of other Provinces.

The Chairman proposed, " Success to the Northern Agricultural and Pastoial Association," coupled with the name of the Secretary, Mr Church, who briefly acknowledged the compliment. Mr Brvdom, of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, proposed " The Commercial Interests of Oamaru," coupled with the name of Mr Ashcroft, who replied." " The Judges," was proposed by Mr N. Fleming, and those of the principal classes replied.

To the toast of "The Successful Competitors," the Hon. M. Holmes replied, and took ocsasion to eulogise the advantage of the short-horn breed of cattle.

" The Press" was proposed by Mr Wm, Young, of Ardgowan, coupled with the name of Mr Church, who, in reply, dwelt upon the necessity and advantages resulting from an agricultural journal, and thanked the company for the honour paid to him. Other toasts followed, and the proceedings were agreeably diversified by songs given by members of the company. Altogether, the affair ended as auspiciously as it began, all enjoying themselves greatly.