SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 2509, 16 April 1902, Page 44

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES

(Fitou Our Own Corkesponsest.) INVERCARGILL, April 14. In a recent issue of the Otago Daily Times there appeared on the B? me page distressing Recounts of floods in Canterbury and Otago, ,with serious damage to crops, and a two-line /telegram from Invercargill to the effect that fceautiful weather prevailed and harvesting joj£rations were general throughout the district. We have indeed had a most wonderful season throughout. Our spring r»nd early eummoi were indeed most unpromiping, but ,vhile during March and till now Otago and i Canterbury have to bewail unsoafconnble wea- j ,theT, with disastrous results over wide areas, Southland has revelled in an almost ideal Biitnmn. During Easter week the growth of ."vegetation, assisted by heavy dews at night, *nd almost summer heat through the day, was Vemarkable, with the result that, whereas ten,dcr rlowers out of doors have almost disappeared in the Dunedin gaidons, and even furUher north, here they are still fresh and /blooming freely. As a rule March frosts cut kiown dahlias, sweet peas, phlox, and other ftender plants, but though we are now well on in April, they are inuJtiug prolific growth, while in the vegetable gaTden marrows, French and scarlet runner beans., and other sensitive 'kinds continue to give good crops. HarvestIng, too, notwithstanding the unfavourable veathei of Novemljer ai:d December, is well forward — more s>o thai), for many years ; in fact, the «easou may be described as a phenomenal one. With the exception of a few odd lots the oats are now either threshed or in dtack, and the rather mixed weather we arc now experiencing dees not interfere with operations as it would have •done had it arrived a fortnight earlier. Oat deliveries are now going on freely, and I don't think I am far out in estimating that fully half the Southland crop has already changed hands, although, of course, it is not yet all delivered. Two "boats are expected at Bluff this month, to take small-bag orders. The oats have all been bought in small bags, itnd the bulk of these two cargoes is so baggptl and awaiting shipment at the Bluff stores. A 3tait has al=o beci made with coastal work fo<- Auckland and Sydney. The sailer Otago lias just finished loading about 6000 sscks for Auckland. . . There is also a steamer, the Qmnang, loading 10,000 s?cks on the berth, and she, I unders*.inf], is nlso bound for Auckland. There i& a very firm feeling in the market, ana in f.ict since I last wrote it has hardened to the rx-mt oi 1('. and I have hraid of rules being r.»ftdo c.i Saturday of decent-3ized lots at 23 td on trucks, with ad for sacks. If reports ur« tetMi Duttedia merchants axe indine dim-

culty in securing their oats for the Apul contracts, the boats for some of which are expected during the coming week. The shortage is occasioned by the floods, which have not only given farmers difficulty in making their deliveries, but have also spoiled the colour of the crops; consequently the farmers can't give delivery of the number of sacks con- , tracted for at the time their sales were made, and these factors would tend to give a firm feeling to the niaiket for the whole of the April deliveries; but a reaction will no doubt' come later on, and for later shipments I expect to see prices recede to the opening quotations — viz., 2s on trucks. Although the grain carried on the Southland railways up to Saturday night — 95,152 sacks — is less than up to 12th April of last year, — 102,663, — the week just ended is heavier than the corresponding one of last year, and the season bids fair to be a record. The heaviest week ever experienced so far is in this year's freightage — 51,141 sacks, the heaviest of las>t ye±r being 45,000. The stock market has been very brisk during the past week. Farmers are rapidly getting their stubbies cleared, and there has also been an unusually good growth of autumn feed. The demand for all classes of sheep has been good, although, there is very little disposition to advance prices. Large sales were held during the week p.t Mossburn, Wallacetown, Wairio, and Otautau, all the stock forward finding buyers. Good ewes are in demand at last week's prices, and the same cau be said of lambs. Good turnip wethers innge from 11s $o 12s, medium and backward lots down to 9s 6d. There is practically nothing doing in freezing wethers, while freezer lambs have settled down to 10s. With 6d extra growth of lamb akin, and the added weight of the carcase, this nteiras a decline in price of fully id per 1b since the opening of the season. Quite recently large sales of freezing cattle have been made. The Edendale estate people are sending 6S a line of 500 head at the rate of 54 per day; consequently the Market for store cattle is good. On Wednesday a large clearing sale of cattle was .held at Mr P. A. Vyner's farm at Mill road, when every lot realised good prices. During the week several large buyers have been securing any lota available, and it looks very much as if turnip cattle are going to be scarce. The market for young cattle has not improved correspondingly, and, in fact, no improvement is Socked for until the spring. The Wallace County Council has decided — none too -early— to place ragwort on the list of noxious weeds. In many parts of Southland this yellow pest seems to be the principal production of the soil. Jlise Johnstone. who has been school teacher at Waianiwa for some years past, and has been promoted to Nightcaps, was, before he* departure, entertained at a farewell social, when she was presented with, a gold watch and chain and a purse of sovereigns. The watch and chain were presented by Mr Howella, on behalf of the school committee; a»td the money by Rev. W. White, for the church. Both gentlemen spoke in eulogistic terms of Miss Johaatone's services to the district. Songs and recitations filled up a. most enjoyable evening. At last meeting of the Southland Educacation Board, Mr W. A. M'Caw, th© directoi of the technical clataes, reported that all the classes arranged for last session started work except those for mathematics, applied mechanics, and advanced carpentry and joinery, in which sufficient students did not enter. The classes, were continued through two terms. of 10 weeka each, except the art classes, which were held for a third term, and the laundry class for adults, which was conducted for one term only. In addition to these classes manual training in woodwork classss for boys attending public j»chool« anil for school teachers were held on Saturday mornings. The classes grew in interest and number until an assistant teacher became necessary, and Mr T. E. Gazzard (Rimu) was appointed. The boys' class numbered 40, and the teachers had a roll of 43. The session was continued until Christinas, and as a result 25 teachers had intimated their intention to sit next month for the City and Guilds of London examination in woodwork. The central classes were attended as follows: — Freehand and model drawing, 3 ; light and shade, 6; painting in monochrome, 6; architectural clrpwing, 6; chemistry, 10; mechanical drawing, 29; carpentry, 8; wood-carving, 13 ; photography. 7 ; dressmaking, 18 ; cookery, 44; laundry work, 51; book-keeping, 21; ohoTthand, 11: typewriting. 4; nifthematics, 7; Standard V work, 10; Standard VI work, 20. In the country districts there were lei ctiving instruction in various branches : 58 at Mataura, 53 at Riverton. 24 at Gore, 18 at Winton, 10 at Bluff. 11 at Pahia, 8 at Arrow, 13 at Oraki, 33 at Hyal Bush, 8 at Night- | caps. 1 at Otautau, 12 at Woodlands, 12 at Queeustown, and 7 at Glenorchy. Yachting, which has been practically dead here for some years, is now being resuscitated. A yachting club has been established, ur.d alrendy numbers 60 members, and it is hoped that next season the number can be increased to 100. Three race meetings were arranged, and the fiust was sailed off on Wednesday afternoon hi beautiful weather, the wind, however, being rather light. Seven boats put in an appearance — via.. Garibaldi, Rambler. Mary Ann, Kia-ora, Defiance, Kiwi, and KikateaThe result was Pasco's Garibaldi, 1; Rambler, 2; Mary Ann. .3. The club has purchased a piece of grop'jd on the fore.«hore, wheTP a club room is to be built for holding raeptings in, and also for members to spend their evenings in reading and games, etc. It is also intruded to erect a shelter shed for the boats when haulod up during the winter for cleaning and painting. If the enthusiasm now operating is sustained, the club is likely to have a very successful career. A 50-mile cyt-le road race, promoted by the cycl^ trad* of Invercargill. was got off on the bam? afternoon. The conrpe selected was from the hospital to Lady Baxkiey and back, and 28 riders started. The limit rncn had 35min start from the veteran, A Rnlston, and as there were atarWs pvery minute or two, the interest was maintained until the scratch man was sent on his way with a parting cheer. At 5 o'clock a crowd cathered at the hospital to see the finish, and in a few .minutes <be winner could be seen i« a little- cloud of dust in the distance. "Rvpvyone hoped that the scratch man would win. but soon it was seen thot th<> approaching rider wan not Rnlston, and pup-r-ense was at an end when J. Stewart, hot and dusty, rode in between the v>irt<;d ra^ks and dismounted in front of the officials. Th<* s°cond and third men were close beh'nd. and Peters woi by 2yds with n sonrt. The next two in* I *' also anv>pnred withi" i f ">w minutes of raeli nib-, and then crap T?olpton, who was linni'y c-!i<»rr<;d. TTp had cut out flip 50 miles hi 2hr 20m hi, and had ridden a rattling: race. ( Stewart covered the distance in 2hr i 2ospc. CoTie was the spv*>nth man home, prd tli en Lyons rod<» in. followed by othoTs at cor^klfM-pWe intervals The '-ssuH ws>« a« fol- . lows: — Cuu (uresented by thp Canada -Cycle I »ml Motor Co-m-ap-ny. W-J«»«.v-Harrip Van'rH, va-lup .€5. tronhy from M'TCti^'p and Poicli. value £-2 10s. ♦ro->->hv from T5. 'Wurie, £2 10b, ■*ud Sl*S 1 * C9*\<— J. St<*wft '32rain). 1; tronMns from R. TV Jonps. P. H Vickerv. nM A. Ttalstovi. of <lip vplne of £.1 10- — A. S. Peter* 2: tronln>«t from Cook. Hnv-liton. a»-d Co. and A C. Puff, of Ibe volue r.f £9 "s £*-*■ j O. J. Wilson '24min> 3; «I— M. Dowlirs I (I2min), 4. The special Cliz* of • osir of

tyres fiou the Dnnlop Company for the fastest unplaced competitor goes to A. Ralston.

The annual report ot the Southland Rugby Union states, inter alia, that our representatives played four inter-provincial matches and one against New South Wales, with th? following results* Against Otcgo, at Dunedin, drawn, no fcore; against Wellington, at Invercargilli won by Bto 3 ; against Canterbury, at Invercargill, lost by 3to 12 ; against New South Wales, at Invercargill, won by 17 to 0; against Otago, at Invorcargill. won by 11 to 3. Points scored • For, 39 ; agaiii3t, 17. The town clubs | opened ."their season last "Wednesday after- j noon, when the Star Club played a match. President v. Vice-president, on the Eastern reserve, and the Invercargill and Pirates Clubs had practice matches on the Western reserve. The Harriers' Club had their first run on "Wednesday afternoon. Their course was from, the house of their president (ilr T. M. Macdonald) at Enwcod down to Tisbury mjll and back again, and the eight miles were covered in about three-quarters of an hour. A second Harriers' Club has now been formed by the railway employees, and its first ruu will be held on Wednesday. The Southland Racing Club intend trying I\fr Rost's starling barriers at their Autumn meeting, to be held on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. The officers of the Wallace Mounted Rifles 1-ave made arrangements for a day's shooting on their^^nge at Nightcaps on the Prince cf Wales's oirthday, Juno 3. In addition to two matches — one at 200 and one r.t 500 yards — a novel match has besn arranged, which might well be copied by other corps. It is called a sectional firing match. A section consisting of one non-com and three men fire a volley, lying, at 400 yds, one kneeling at 300 yds, and one standing at 200 yds, at a third-class target; hits to count, at 409vds : bull 18, inner 12, outer 6; at 300 yd»: li, 7, "and 4; at 200 yds: 6, 4, and 2; time to count 60, and drill BO points. The juaximun? will thus be 250 points, and the com- ! petition is to be judged by a staff officer. The first prize has bAn fixed at £4, and second £1 The competition is open to any corps in Otago or Southland, and already a good number of entries have been promised. The competition is a very useful one. and one that only men trained both in drill and target shooting will be able to make a creditable exhibition in. The officer commanding the district has heartily approved of the match, and has commended the officers for the idea.— Southland , Times. I The action of the Town Council in letting the Queen's Park to the Axemen's Carnival 1 Committee for 10 per cent, of the takings (afteri wards increased to 15 per cent.) has led to a [ lot of feeling on the part of other societies, i which have always had to pay at a higher rate. A meeting of the Caledonian Society of | Southland was held last Thursday evening to i consider the position of tho Park Board of Management. It was stated that it was very evident the board had no power, its only function being to provide funds for improving the Queen's Park. That being so, and considering what was hold to be the- over-bearing attitude of the Borough Council towards the board, the contributing societies, who had spent close on £3000, thought it would be better to get another ground. A suggestion was made that the council, as it appeared to have all the power, should take over and maintain the grounds, and charge the societies 15 or 20 per cent, on their takings. It was shown that since the Caledonian Society had held its gatherings in the park it had paid about £750, or 22 per cent, of Up takings, as its share for maintenance. The takings at last gathering were over £3000, and the paTk cost the society about' JE7O for one day's sports. The Gore Borough Council held a special meeting on Thursday evening for the purpose of selecting an engineer and 'manager for the electric light works. There were 35 applications from all parts of the colony, and Mr Robert Miller was appointed. Mr Miller ha-s been foi the past 10 years Eecond engirieer for the New Zealand Electrical Syndicate at Wellington, and was previously engineer on the Government steamers Hinemoa and Stella. He also served for some years in the shipbuilding yards of Denny Bros., Dumbarton, Scotland. At last meeting of the Southland County Council the inspector was instructed to issue notices to ratepayers in Winton, Hokomii, Wallacetown, and Oreti ridings to clear gorse, failing compliance legal action to be taken. — The engineer iecommende3 that the request of the Lady Charltou Company to mine on the road-line be refused. The roa-cl was a through road, and was in a different position from others v.-here rights h:ul beon given to dredge. He ltcommended giving permission to dredge through the road in a cut one chain wide. — Adopted. — The Ashburton Drug Company, noticiiv the order for poisoned wheat and groats for the council, said that they would be glad to hear a- good account of groats, as o*i* rr customers invariably went back to wheat after experiwenting with groats. Something of a sensation waß caused here in the early part of last week by the issue by the Orepuki Advocate of*an "'extra surnouncing the closing down of the Orepuki shale works, and the explanation published by the Daily a lines was read with a feeling of relief. The red deer liberated some time ago in the Lillbum Valley, on the west bank of the Waiau, have been seen frequently lately, and are reported to be doing well. Two of the hinda, at least, have young with them, and it is anticipated that in a couple of years the herd should be. numerous enough to allow the society to issue licenses to shoot in that district. There is not much being done in the troutfishing line at present. Mr Rowe caught 15 nice fish, probably averaging 2Jb, in the Aparim* at Hazlett's on Saturday, and" Mr Styles and Mt Gray had four baskets, one of their fish scaling 4|lb. On the previous Saturday Mi Styles took a splendid SJ-pounder from tho same river with the fly. The large fish are iiow running up in numbers. A well-known settler across the Waiau had a rather nasty experience the other day. While riding after some yonng -cattle through the bush he got lost, and after several unsuccessful attempts to make his way out he got off his horse, and drove it in. front of him, trusting +o {he animal'p instinct to get out of the bush. However, the horse travelled too fast for his owner, and was soon out of sight. Twentyfour hours later the settler got out; but his hor«e has not been seen since let go in the bupfe. On Wedne.=clay last Mv J. Sheath, who was manajrer of Ringwaj estate till the Government bought it, started out for the Long-.vooi ranges, pigeon shooting, and has not been seen since. Search r.arties have bpen continually scouring the tlietrict in search of hip. pr.d the Apannia was dragged yesterday with on' fi'idin^r aby trace of the missi-nj; man, and it is fearfd th-\t hs must nave got lost in the Luph on the ranges and died of starvation. Some ercod hags of pigpon continue to be n-.ade. Mr Coi n M'Donald ?nd some friends got 10C recentl y iv the Lora Gor£»e. and other good basrs sire spoken of, but the birds are very poor indeed.

— Poland po.-sesses a theatre which was formerly v section of a salt mine. The queer plavhouf-e lies some 500 ft below the earth, and is lighted tl'roughour. by electricity. It holds narly 3000 people, and is one o. the most' comfortable theatres in ths counter.