SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 39

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES.

(Fbom Our Own Correspondent.)

INVERCARGILL, March 6.

• The weather continues favourable for our district, and though the rainfall for the last month was above the average, it was not spread over the usual number of days, and consequently did not interfere much with harvesting operations. There were 14 days last month upon which rain fell, amounting to 3.87 in, as against 17 days and 1.83 in for the corresponding month last year.

The frosts referred to a month ago have not clone the damage to the grain crops I anticipated, but they completely ruined the lint crop, which in most cases will now be burnt standing* instead of reaped. That peculiar-shaped steamer, the Vinebranch, one of the whale-backed design, which loaded at the Bluff for South African ports last November, is due again at the Bluff to-day or to-morrow, where 15,000 sacks of oats, to be graded by the officers of the Stock department here, are awaiting her, to be carried to Capetown. After her departure Ido not think there will be another 15,000 sacks of old oats left in the place. .Such a clearing out of old stocks I have never known before here. Little or no business is being done in oats, because wouldbe shippers cannot get freights. Ifthe steamers taking the fourth and fifth contingents carry cargo from here, I verily believe there will not be a bag of old oats left.

I have lately seen most successful results from the use of Gibson's patent branding fluid, tooth on cattle and shsep. Many of our cattlebreeders were very dubious about its efficacy at first, but they are now using it exclusively; while many with stud flocks are using it for ike face branding of sheep. It is easily applied, leaves as clean an impression after a few hoursas if printed, is as permanent as a fire brand, and is applied withoui-trouble to man or torture to beast. I feel sure that in a short time firebranding will be deemed cruel and barbarous by all right-minded people, and quite unnecessary, and therefore to be prohibited by law.

The Invercargill Patriotic Fund now amounts to over £2200, and the More Men, More Horse Fund to over £1600, besides* the value of about 25 horses, which have been presented to the committee. Money continues to roll in from the country, raised at patriotic meetings, which usually take the- shape of a concert and dance with refreshments thrown in by the ladies ; this being found -the easiest way of assuring good attendances of young and old. The total contributions from the Southland school children to the Patriotic Fund were over £280.

Portion of the Waimea estate is to be offered for sale by Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co., at Gore, on the sth prox. The land is subdivided into 41 farms, and the area to be offered for sale is 10,100 acres. Several of the blocks to be offered are laid down in English grass. The. Talune, from the North' arrived at the Bluff early this morning, and waits the arrival of the northern express with Australian mails ; though yesterday's Otago Daily Times contained an announcement from the Union Company that she would not do so.

The six Dunedin nurses for South Africa are passengers by the Talune to Melbourne, where they join the direct steamer for the Cape. They were entertained at luncheon to-day by the Invercargill Hospital staff, and are now at afternoon tea in the hospital grounds, where friends v/fere invited to meet them to say good-bye, and wish them God-speed. Mr J. E. Watson, the Mayor of Invercargill, and Messrs M'Nab, Ha-nan, and Gilfedder, M.H.R's have been invited by the Dunedin Organising Committee to take part in the embarkation and demonstration at Dunedin, and Port Chalmers of the fourth' contingent, on Saturday, the 24th inst. The Invercargill Garrison Band and the Queenstown Band, I understand, will also be present. I have just learnt that all the Southland volunteers are going to be dressed in khaki uniforms. Some of the corps have already ordered theirs.

On Friday, at the meeting of the Southland Education Board, the secretary was instructed to make inquiries as to the cost of purchasing a Union Jack for each school in the district, members being of opinion' that "the' national flag should be provided -for every school. The chairman" intimated his intention of presenting a .Union Jack to the board. During the proceedings, Mr T. Mac Gibbon moved : " That we place onvfhe minutes our heartfelt thanks to Almighty God for the victories gained by our gallant troops in South Africa ; our congratulations to Field-marshal Roberts, Generals Buller, French, and the others who have been the instruments of obtaining such successes, and particularly to General White for the magnificent defence of Ladysmith ; and, further, our deep appreciation of the evidences of the unity of the Empire, as shown by the various contingents from, the colonies now fighting so bravely in South Africa, and our sense of the gallantry displayed by our fellowcolonists composing the contingents ; and, finally, our sorrow-for the death of/ so many members of the colonials, and our sympathy with their sorrowing relatives." Mr Mac Gibbon Baid that all- true colonists were proud of the victories of our troops in South Africa, and he hoped the British flag would be soon hoisted over Pretoria. -He eulogised the colony for doing its duty in sending contingents, and hoped that it would lead to further confederations of the TSmpire. Mr MacGibbon J s motion was carried unanimously.

A complimentary banquet to Mr I. W. Raymond, the unsuccessful candidate at the late Mataura parliamentary election, is to be given at Wyndham on the 21st inst.

The following are the Southland teaekeis that have passed their examinations: — Class D — Elizabeth Adams, Robert Brownlie, Tessie Cameron, Alexander Clark, Agnes Dickie, Maiy Johnston, Robert Mitchell. Class E — William Brownlie, Elizabeth Fairbairn, Florence Healey, Herbert Kidd, John Mackenzie, .Patience Purvis, Eleanor Southberg, Matilda Taylor, Maud Wilson. Partial pass, class D — Jeanette Fraser, Thomas Merrie, Zoe Poyr.ter, Matilda Taylor. Partial pass, class E — Annie Boyd, Margaret Gifford. Suecial mention — class E, arithmetic, geography, science, and history, "W. Browniie ; geometrical drawing, W. Brownlie, H. H. Kidd, and J. A. Mackenzie.

The following gentlemen have been elected members of the Southland Education Board for the ensuing term of three years: — Mr John "Cowie, Winton; Mr WilJiani Macalister, 8.A., LL.B., of Invercargill ; Mr John C. Thomson, of Riverton. ».