AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 9

AGRICULTU RAL STATISTICS.

WELLINGTON, February 5,

A return has been prepared by the Department of Agriculture showing the area of wheat, oat 3, and barley for threshing and the estimated yields, also the amount of flour and wheat on hand as at 31st October, 1903. The area of wheat is set down at 230,346 acres, and the estimated yiold is 30 bushels. Tho area of oats is 409,380 acres, which, at 40 bushels per acre, will yield 16,3/5,600 bushels. The area of barley is 34,631 acros,' giving a total yiold, at o5 bushels per aero, ot 1,213,806 bushels. In the Gazette of 2nd July, 1933, the wheat on hand available for all purposes as at 28th February, 1903, was stated at 6.971,275 bushels Tho wheat and flour imported from ±noo to October, 1903, was 10,478 bushels, which makos a total of 7,011,753 bushels. This has been disposed of as follows : —For settL, 461.918 bushels ; consumption for population, 3,440,000 bushels; -wheat and flour exported, 51,001 bushels ; leaving on hand at 31st October, 3,058,834 bushels. The amount actually returned for 31st October was 2,245,299 bushels.

Tha Ensign (referring to the Gore fire) says: — "The origin of the fire is unaccounted for. Neither in Miss D. Cotter's nor in Gatehouse and Brims's establishments had the fireplaces been used fcr months. Both premises wore fitted with electric light throughout, and neither lamps nor candles were kept. Miss Cotter did not have so much na a match in her e'hop. It is understood that a eoronial inquiry into the cause of the outbreak is to be held, and in the meantime Detective i\l'Hvenay is investigating ike affair."