SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 21

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

(From Oott Own Correspondent.) Inveecaroill, June 26 Tho weather for this time of the year may be termed seasonable and fine, but that unfortunately does not clear the wave of depression that is now passing over us. Many of our factories are only working four days a week, and the workshops lack the busy hum of prosperity, the seamstresses resting the needle half time. Still the policy of the employers is to be commended, for the lesser hours of work keep want from many a home and produce the least possible amount of idleness. It is only when some [15 or 20 hands are d ; smissed through slackness of trade, as happened at one house here last week, that the bitterness of the depression is severely felt ; but with mid-day of winter passed, and the cheerful advent of spring before ws, prospects brighten as each wintry day closes. Yesterday afternoon being beautifully fine, I gladly availed myself of an invitation from Mr Cleave to drive out to his Bay road tree nursery, distant three miles from town. Mr Cleave has a smaller nursery of some three or four acres in extent, distant only a few minutes' walk from town, which is Chiefly devote I to the production of hothouse plants, bulbs, roses, other flowering plants, and seedlings; b~t at Bay nad, where over 30 acres are devoted to nursery gardens, the larger operations are carried on. In this garden 10 or 12 hands find constant employment, some of whom have been with Mr Cleave for more than 30 years A mora suitable site for quality of soil, shelter, &c , could not eas ly have been found The soil varies from fat, rich, drained swamp land to higher, drier, and more clayey soil from which the native bjsh has been c learod, leaving just sufficient to make excellent shelter and add to the picturesqueness of the scenery. That Mr Cleave loves his work aud is by nature fitted for it is evidenced in so many ways observable as one passes through the nicely kept grounds, a large portion of his time, labour, aud money having been devoted to experimental work, quite regardless of whether such would, prove remunerative or not from a monetary point of view. Though he has been over 30 years at the business in Southland, Mr Cleave readily admits that it is only during the past 12 or 15 years that he has thoroughly understood the sorts and varieties of trees best suited for our varied soils, localities, and climate. Each year in this nursery there are upwards of 30,000 selected blight-proof stocks set out for budding and grafting on, and over lbO varieties of apples fruited for testing puryoses. Last year 8000 plum stocks were imported from France and 4000 Paradise apple stocks aud pear stocks, also a few varieties of Japanese plum trees, with which Mr Cleave is at present experimenting. Among many other advantages claimed for the French plum- stocks is that they throw up no suckers from the roots as is common with other kinds in general use. Any variety of pear grafted or budded on to tho new pear stocks bears fruit at a much earlier age than those kinds used hero hitherto will do. The Paradise apple.is especially suited Tor small gardens, as the trees never grow very large, make small but new roots every year, can be transplanted as readily and as easily as a gooseberry or current bush, and any known, kind of apple can be grafted on these stocks and will produce f tuit at an early age. Space will not admit of my writing more on this subject jusb now, but visitors to Invercargill who take an interest in horticulture could spend a couple of hours very plea«antly, and perhaps pro&tably, by making a flying visit to this most interesting and extensive nursery garden. It was the laudatory references of Mr Blackmore, the Government pomologist, to this nursery which first gave me the desire to go and have a look for myself, and having been once I certainly intend to go back more than once again if all goes well.

The Rev. John Fergusson, who is about to leave us to take charge of St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Sydney-, delivers a lecture here to-morrow evening on Burns, interspersed with songs and music by Misses Innes, Gedcles, and others. The rev. gentleman delivered the lecture some few weeks ago at Oamaru, and with his reputation as a lecturer the building funds of Sfc. Paul's Church, towards which the proceeds go, should be substantially enhanced.

Licensing matters are now quiet, although it is reported that a solicitor is preparing papers for a writ of certioran in respect of one of the hotels. It is also said that the Prince of Wales Hotel will be converted into a farmers' club ; and another club, the Commercial, is to start with quarters in the Crescent. All sorts of rumours are current to the effect that certain members of the committee will be boycotted in their business by the sympathisers of the licensees whose tenure is to close, but at present I leave it at rumour, for I doubt the statements very much.

With the plethora of travelling troupes competition in matters theatrical evidently grows keen, as they are adopting the questionable idea of Sunday sacred (?) concerts much too freely. Although some of the items on the programme are of a religious tone, others are far fromit, and areonly fit for alow ratemusic hall. The Brisbane Pantomime Company, whose very name is anything but suggestive of matters sacred, essayed a concert on Sunday evening to a large hous», the comic e'ement being lai-gely in preponderance in the items given. Many of the audience left the theatre, shocked at the desecration of the Sabbath, and I believe the police interfered and contemplate taking action, if such can be done In a Presbyterian community such innovations are naturally resented, and will seriously affect anything of the sore, even though of a bona fide nature, in the future. In Sydney a few years back the matter of Sunday concerts went before the Full Court, which held th»t the act of Charles II prohibiting them was in force ; hence the idea of only taking -roluntary subscriptions at the door, and the consequent desecration of the Sabbath and a rude shock to many who attend and are deceived . The company claim to have given similar Sunday entertainments up north, and if last Sunday's entertainment was a fair specimen, theu the religious ideas of the northerners have suffered a change; for although we cl«im as Liberals to be an advanced community, respect for the religion of others should be shown, aud Sabbath decorum observed. It is therefore to be hoped th<*t if proceedings can be taken the authorities \vM not hesitate, as they would no doubt serve as an estoppel on others who may be inclined to essay comic performances on Sunday. I would suggest that the proprietor of the theatre be compelled, as a condition attached to his license, to inspect and be responsible for Sunday programmes in the future

Mr R. S. Hawkins, S M , has been appointed commissioner in re the request of the borough council for an adequate adjustment of moneys payable in respect of the proposed traffic bridge over the Mataura. The inquiry will probably commence within a fortnight. Country .friends interested in this matter had better take immediate steps to see that no point is lost in. the

interest of Hie bridge. As a matter of course the inqirry will be conducted by the borough solicitor (Mr J. S. Neave)*; Mr T. M. Macdonald will appear on behalf of the county council, who oppose.

In accordance with tbo resolution iiassed 1 by the Bluff Harbour Board recently, a rock dr-ill bas been procured for the purpose of extending the. deep-water berths at the jetty. It was brought over in the ss. Wakatipu by Mr Higgins, the expert, who is going to superintend tho working of it The chairman has made arrangements to effect a start at once, and the expert, we are informed, is of opinion that the apparatus will accomplish the work speedily aiid successfully The plant, including the electric batteries for firing the charges, cost landed at the Bluff £173. The work is one of such importance to the harbour and district, that the public will no doubt watch its progress with interest.

At a meeting of the committee of the Bluff Sailors' Rest, held last Thursday evening, it was defcercnined to call for tenders for the erection of a building on the site granted by the Railway Commissioners close to the wharf. The house will be a large and commodious one, in every way suited for the entertainment of sailors and the accommodation of a caretaker and her family. In taking this step the committee have exercised a measure of faith, because although in possession of funds sufficient probably to erect the building contemplated, they have to look for its thorough equipment to the further generosity of the public They are persuaded that they will not find themselves mistaken in their confidence and that before many months nn institution acknowledged to be urgently needed and ca'culated to be of essential value to seamen and others employed in connection with shipping will be formally opened.

At the Invercargill Middle School on Friday afternoon Miss W. S. Bain, third assistant teacher, was tho recipient of tokens of esteem from her pupils and from the members of the staff, the occasion being her resignation af *er a long aud successful service In making the presentations the head toacher, Mr Mehaffey, explained thab the loss the school was sustaining was due to serious ill-health, which made ib imperative that Miss Bain should take a rest for a time from the duties of teaching. The speaker adverted to the arduous nature of the primary school teacher's work, and expressed deep regret that Miss Bain had felt it necessary to sever her connection with the school. He could bear testimony to the high ability that had ever been displayed by Miss Bain— an ability that under happier circumstances should enable her to achieve a creel itable post ioii in the domain of literature. With the other members of the staff, he hoped the time-would not be long till Miss Bain's health was fully restored, and the education service of the colony had again the benefit of her skill and experience. The office-bearers of St. John's Church (Episcopalian) took advantage of Sunday last being the anniversary of the nativity of St. John the Baptist to call upon the congregation for an effort to free themselves of a further part of the debb on the church. £125 was necessary to wipe out a bank overdraft. The income of the church is quite sufficient to meet in full the general expenses, and the exertions of the Ladies' Guild have liberated the church from all encumbrances except the mortgage. With the overdraft account squared, the financial position of the church will be highly satisfactory. For this purpose special offertories wera taken at all the services on Sunday. The response of the congregation realised the most sarguine anticipations of the officers, aDd will enable them to reduce the overdraft by £101. The monthly meeting of the High Schools Board of Governors was held on Monday eveniDg; present— Messrs Bain (chairman), Carswell, and Gilbertson. The secretary was instructed to convey to Messrs Heudry and Braik the thanks of the boaid for their valuable services in connection with the late examination of the schools for the purpose of selecting 20 pupils who should receive free education for three years. A letter was received from the town clerk intimating the terms onwhich the borough council had agreed to allow part of the reserve in Forth street to be used os a bcya' playground. Tho terms were accepted by the board, aud Messrs Carswelland Gilbertson were appointed a sub-committee to 'make tho improvements ; cost nob to exceed £50. The head master was authorised to purchase several valuable books of reference as the nuclous of a school library. It was resolved that the board meet at the secretary's office at 1.45 p va. on Thursday next and attend officially at the opening of the Conference of Teachers in the High School in connection with the Southland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. The secretary was instructed to prepare for next meeting a financial statement for the half-year to 30th June. A meetiDg of the committee of the Southland Poultry Show was held on Monday evening, when a large amount of business connected with the coming show to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, the Bth and 9th August, was got through. Local judges were appointed for all classes of poultry — five being selected to do the work hitherto done by one, each judge taking the class in which he is an expert. It was decided to ask Mr M'Ghee, of Dunedin, to judge the dogs. It was also decided to accept an offer from the Dunedin Fanciers' Club to supply exhibition pens, which will bo a great improvement on those used in former years, being uniform in appearance and much more convenient. Ex-constable John Buchanan, whose divorce petition was dismissed with costs against him, was at the last Supreme Court sittings mulcted in thesum of £75 and costs as the defendant in a seduction case. He did not appear, and a warrant is now oub for his apprehension. INVERCARGILL STOCK SALES. The J. G. Ward Farmers' Association of New Zealand (Limited) report having held their fortnightly sale at Invercargill saleyards on Tuesday 26th inst. There was a full entry of all classes of stock. Prices were good for fat cattle, the improvement noted at last Fale being maintained, and the quality of beef forward rather above the average. Fat sheep were difficult to sell, holders still being disinclined to accept the reduced prices, and stores in sympathy were hard to quit. Buyers for store Bheep are only operating at prices which leave them a good margin of profit, based on present freezing prices. Store cattle are not so eagerly inquired for as during the past few months, but we disposed of the bulk of our entry at only slightly lower prices than we quoted last month. The following are prices realised for stock sold by us :— Fat Cattle.— -Pen bullocks at £10, pen at £9, pen at £S 153, pen at £7 15s, pen at £7 10s, pen at £6 15s ; pen of cows at £8 los, pen at £7 ]ss, pen at £7 7s Gd, pen at £6 153, pen (binall) at £i 17s Gd, pen at £4 10s, pen at .£4 53. Fat Shefp.— Pen fat ewes at 11s 6d, peu at 10s, pen at 9s f3i, pen at 83 3d ; pen wether 3at 11s lOd, pen at 12s 3d. Store"Sheep.-650 wethers and ewes at 10s 6d each, pen do at 10s. Several pens lambs Cs 6d to 7s each. Store Cattle.— 2s bullocks in forward condition at £5 to £5 2s ; cows at £2 10s to £i ss. Dairy Cowb. — Very few offering. Those forward ! sell well at from £5 to £6, for newly calved superior cows up to £7 each.

Invercargill, June 22. SIA'-GROG SELLING. At the Police Court to-day William and Mary Smith, of Centre Bu6h, were charged with sly grog-selling. Two northern policemen went to the defendants' house under the guise of settlerß on the lookout for land, and were supplied with whisky. Defendants pleaded guilty, and were each fined £5. H. Hammond and his wife were each fined £10 for sly grog-selling at Centre Bush. A conviction was obtaiued by importing strange constables, who passed as men looking for land, and spent several days in Hammond's house, getting spirits repeatedly. An attempt was made to evade the penalties by offering fruit for sale and giving the liquor away. The offence of Hammond's was aggravated by threats to shoot the constables after it was found that Hammond had been duped. The house had formerly an accsmmodation license, but had none for the past year or two. Complaints of the prevalence of drunkennoss about the place set the police in motion. June 26. BRASS BAND CONTEST. At a meeting of the Band Contest Committee on Tuesday it was reported that Mr Foreßt, proprietor ot the Orchestral and Brass Band News, and Mr Bulch (Melbourne) would present a four-guinea gold medal to the bandmaster of tho baud that makes the most points in Round's test piece, and a copy of the paper bo each member of the band winniug Bulch's selecbion piece. Mr Bulch also gives music to the value of two guineas to the band winning the Marching Contest. The prizes were fixed at £100, £50, £30, and £20. The solo prizes are not yet arranged. Entrieß for the band contest must be made nob later than the 14th July, with a fee of two guinea:-, and on the 31et July for the quickstep with fee of ss.