POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 26

POULTRY NOTES.

Breeders of Laugshan fowls will bs interested to hear of a new strain of blood which came to hand by the s.s. Waiksto. The shipment originally consisted of four pullets and two cockerels. Unfortunately one of the pullets died during the gales experienced crossing the Indian Ocean. Of the cockerels one comes from Mr Horsey, of Bournemouth. This bird was highly commended at last Crystal Palace Show.

The second cockerel is a son of last year's Crystal Palace Cup winner. He is the only bird Mr G. Fielder has used this year with his hens. There was a difficulty in getting a second cockerel, aod Mr Fielder generously parted with his own bird rather tban see tbe shipment unsatisfactory. Mr Fielder was judge last year for the South Metropolitan Show, and represents the Langsh&n Society on the committee of the Poultry Club.

Of the pullets two are the daughters of last year's first priza winner, bred by Mr H. W&llis. One is herself the winuer of the brouzs medal at the Gray's Exhibition.

The third pullet ia winner of last year's first prize at Liverpool. This pullot was bred by Mr V. Alty Bjrre. She unfortunately broke her leg in the rough weather. The caretaker (Mr Pickering) made an excellent setting with yarn, and it is to be hoped the break will leave no blemish. Evidence of the great care bestowed on the fowls is at once seen in the really wenderful condition in which the shipment came to baud. The birds are consigned to Mr H. Buckland, Kiatou, and are ssnt out by Mr James Buckland, who was fortunate indeed to tecure the advice and assistance of some of the best men on the Langshan Society lo help him in the woik of selection. A photo, of the pullet, winner of the Gray's' medal, wiil ba on view shortly in Messrs J, Wilkie and Ca.'s.

A meeting of cyclists, convened for Tuesday night to devisaiocne steps forsecuring, if possible, tbe removal of the toll on the Portobcllo road, was remarkable from the outspokenness with which the careless riding that is frequently witnessed in our street* was criticised by some of those present. Dr Bachelor, himself an enthusiast on the wheel, counselled tb<s cycling bodies practically to put their own house in order before teekiug iree nee of a dangerous road. The traffic in Dnnedin and suburbs, both by vehicles and cycles, was, he said, not safe at the present time. He did not know any town in the world where there was such careless, slovenly, happy-go-lucky driving as was to be seen in our town. There wa? not the slightest attempt on the part of vehicles to observe the ordinary rules of the road in driving, and with the accession of cycling there was added a very considerable risk of accident in the streets. The police, he thought, ought more strictly to see to the traffic, and he suggested it would not be a bad plan if the cyclists themselves were to tee to it that a more strict observance was paid to the rules of the road. He was perfectly certain that a large number of the cyclists in town did nob fenow the ordinary rules of the road. Then Dr Batchelor offered a suggestion which rather alarmed some of the

T cyclists in the meeting. " Each cycle in town," ho said, "should be licensed aud numbered, snd betore being licenced a cjclist, if necessary, ehould bo examined as to whether he knew the rules of the road." The remains of the late Alexander M'Kay, who was drowned ab the wreck of tho Zuleika, were interred in the Port Chalmers New Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon. The cortege left his parents' residence, Carey's Bay, at 2 o'clock, beaded by the bojs of the Fifth and Sixth Standards of the District High School. The -procession was one of the largest seen in Port; , Chalmers, nearly the whole of tho business ! places being closed. The services at the grave were corxlucttd by the Ktv. Mr Tennant. Tho directors of the National lusur&nce Compauy have declared a dividend of ninepence per suare, payable on 6th May, to shareholders on the register on 31sfc March. The Earl of Seafield atUiaed his majority a few days ago. He is still at the Lincoln College, Christchurch. It is understood (Bays the Oamarn Mail) that ho will go Home shortly, aud, though he will not enter into full possession of the estates till the death of the Couutesp, who is now about 70 years of age, he will, of course, be privileged to take his seat io the House of Lords. The Standard understands that the Rev. H. C. Frere, who has received an appointment ut Beyrout, will be succeeded by the Rev. A. R. , Tosswill, Christchurch. -Prior to her departure from Tapanui to Rivertou Mi-s Porteoas was presented by the girls of the Tapauui School with a handsome gold bangle, and also with a lad-y's gold alberb.