INVERCARGILL NEWS NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Invercargill, May 5.

Otago Witness, Issue 2046, 11 May 1893, Page 21

INVERCARGILL NEWS NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Invercargill, May 5.

WELCOME EAIN.

The long spell of dry weather we have had here has broken, and nice showers are falling this evening, which were badly wanted in both town and country.

A MINING CASE.

An important mining case was before the Warden's Court, Riverton, to-day, in which Messrs T. M. M 'Donald, F. Wade, and S. Solomon (of Dunedin) appeared for the applicants, and Messrs W. Y. H. Hall, J. Moffet, and T. Finn for the objectors. The application for the claim at Wilson river (now known as the Prospectors' claim), which has been postponed from time to time awaiting the completion of the Government survey came on for final hearing to-day. The principal point with the objectors was that the application contained a river within its boundary. After hearing counsel on both sides the warden (Mr Rawson) dismissed the objection on the grounds that it had been lodged too late — viz., on the 25th April, whereas it should, he says, have been lodged before the 7th April. He granted the application as made by O'Shannessy and party, the discoverers of the reef. Further litigation is possible. The proceedings are watched with considerable interest as may be imagined when as much as £800 and £1000 has been paid for a twelfth share in the claim. May 8. BOISTEROUS WEATHER". The weather lasc night and to-day has been very boisterous, with frequent showers of heavy rain and occasional hail. THE GRAIN SEASON. The quantity of grain carried on the Southland section of the railways for last week was 35,400 sacks, or 11,000 sacks less than the previous week. The busiest part oi the grain traffic season is now over. PENGUIN OIL. The ketcb Gratitude, owned by Mr Joseph Hatch, ex-M.H.R. for this city, arrived at the Bluff this afternoon from the Maoquarie Islands, with her owner on board. Mr Hatch has been there since November last interesting himself in the manufacture of penguin oil. The Gratitude brings 50 tons of oil as cargo. May 9. STOCK SALES. The amount of business done at the Invercargill stock saleyards to-day was small. The entries of stock generally were few, and the attendance of buyers meagre. The feature of the sale was the better entry of fat cattle, some of which were really prime, and the improved demand for this description of stock. Best bullocks sold up to L 9, and heavy-weight cows up to L 7 17s 6d, or equal to 22s per 1001b; while medium quality beef sold less readily at 17s 6d to 193 per 1001b. There were only two or three pens of store cattle, for which there was little demand.

In fat sheep the entr\ was again small. Butchers' wethers sold from 13s to 13a lid, and heavy fat ewes from 11s to 13s 3d There were no freezers in the yards. There was a slightly better entry of store sheep, but most of the saleable lines of wethers suitable for putting on turnips were passed, as the few buyers present were not prepared to pay vendors' valuations. Two or three lots of rather inferior store lambs sold from 5s 6d to 7s 6d. There were no entries of young breeding ewes.