LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2675, 21 June 1905, Page 20

LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS.

There has been a feeling amongst raer* chants in Oamaru (says the Mail) thar tlio prices demanded by holders of potatoes would induce speculators to import from. Tasmania. A local firm, which has supplied 'Wellington merchants to the extent of from 50 to 60 tons wo&kly, received word on Wednesday that, on account of the. exorbitant figure, it had been resolved to import. The holders of tubers have been steadily increasing the price, which was £6 per ton f.0.b., and the last 10s has precipitated a climax, which will probably mean a considerable reduction in settlers' figures before they can again command the trade. Sir J. G. Ward, Minister of Railways, said at his meeting afc Winton on Monday night that, in reply to a number of representations made to him, he wished to state that ifc was the intention of the department to carry ground lime at the same rate a3 unground lime — namely, free. The statement was received with applause. "This," continued Sir Joseph, " would be a benefit to many farmers who wished to use ground lime, and would put them in the same position as those farmers who now enjoyed the free carriage of unground lime." In our report of exhibits at the winter show, the entry of wool forwarded for exhibition only by Mr William Telford (Clifton Estate) was overlooked. This consisted of three merino Seeces, which wero shown on t>he stage. The wool was remarkably well grown, and of a type not often seen in New Zealand. After inspection it is easy to understand why Mr Telford topped the local market during the past season. In the mountains drift snow is very deep in places (says the Tapanui Courier), and, although no losses of sheep are reported,, shepherds have bad difficulty in getting their charges out of the guTes. The attraction that Southland possesses for northern farmers is shown by the faot that an Ashburton resident on a recent visit to Invercargill met no less than 13 former Ashburton residents. The annual meeting of the Wyndham and Edendale Ploughing Association was held at Wyndham on the 13th inst., the president (Mr J. Cushnie) being in the chair. The balance sheet showed a credit of £4-. It was resolved to hold the annual match on the 28th inst. Mr S. Clarke was appointed president, Mr J. M'Donald vicepresident, and Mr A. Cunningham (reelected) secretary. Judges were appointed, and it was resolved to hold the annual dinner on the evening of the match, as usual. Winter in Otaaro Central (says the Bunstan Times) is setting in with more than ife usnal severity for the time of the year, a.nd if the existing co-Id sna.p keeps on. as it is now likely to do, till the end of July stock will have a very bad time of it indeed. Winter will be more severe on them, as owing to the exceptionally dry autumn there is litt'e or r.o feed on the low country, and in all probability there will b& a fairly heavy death roll to register next spring. The Taieri and Peninsula Company's creamery at Kurow has been closed down vfor a time owing to the paucity of support which it is now receiving. During the two seasons pf the creamery's existence in that district the winters have been comparatively mild and feed plentiful, so that suppliers have been able to keep the works goinp. Not so this season, however, for the drought experienced in the Upper WaitaJd district during the past few months has made feed very short, and it was therefore, un fortunately, rende-red necessary to close the oreamery until such time as the suppliers are abie again to send in good returns. At the Magistrate's Couri, Balelutha, on Wednesday last, before Mr Widdowson, S.M.. Prank Poff. residing at T.ong Bush, Southland, was charged, on the informal tion of Stock-inspector Thomas Gilmour, with failing to destroy noxious weed' — Californian thistle and ragwort — on his holding at Ohaslands of nearly 2CO acres. There was no appearance of defendant. The inspector said it was a case which called for moro than a nominal penalty. His Worship said he would inflict a fine of 40s. with court costs 7s, one witness 13? 4-d.— Pudo Hoani Rakiraki, Port Molyneux, was charged with failing to clear ragwort from his land, section 47, block IV and V, Glenomaru survey district, to the satisfaction of the inspector, at the proper season of the year, m terms of "The Noxious Weeds Act, 1900." Mr R. R. Stewart appeared for defendant. Inspector Gilmour gave evidence that the land was a Native reserve. The other two occupiers had taken steps to cut tho weeds. Each one occupied a different holding, and the land was a Crown grant.. Knew tne piece occupied by defendant: there were 401 acres in the block, and defendant occupied about a third. Mr Stewart said the ease must be dismissed because the prosecution had failed to prova tnat Rakiraki was in occupation. Defendant was a fisherman, and not in occupation of 100 acres. There wore a number of? Natives at the Molyneux bcaoh on this land, and it was very difficult to know who owned! it. It had not been proved that defendant either occupied or owned the- area alleged. Further, section 14 of the Noxious Weod.9 Act provided that the Native Minister should cause the land to be cleared of weeds, and should recover the cost from the moneys available for Native purposes. The inspector said the land did not come within that section, because a Crown grant had been issued for it to certain Natives. His Worship said the point required looking into, and in tile meantime the case tTonld bo dismissed without prejudice, to enable the department to bring a fresh information.— Gilbert M'Kay, 300 acros, To Houka. was oharged with failing bo clear California!* thistles. Defendant appeared and said ho had done his best. His Worship said he wag satisfied defendant had not done as much as ho ocfuld have done. Convicted and fined) 10s. with 21s costs.— Hugh Lamont, butcher, Kaitaugata, was charged with failing to brand carcases. Fined _ 10s, costs 7s. — Williani Pennell, on a similar oharge, was also fined 10s, costs 7s. The Kyeburn correspondent of the Moun-fi Ida Chronicle writes : — Farmers have done a good deal of ploughing here this autumn, which will give them a good chance to get their seed in sooner in the spring. Stock is looking very well about hero this season, especially sheep. A few mobs aie on turnips, and a Rood many niora are to ao on

•bout ihe end of the month, as July is the ■worst month for stock. I don't think there will be much of a death rate amongst them. Rabbits are very scarce about here this seaeon: As the prices for rabbits have been * very small, a good many have had to poison " their ground, as they ootild not get men to trap at the prices going. The Garston correspondent of the Southern Standard writes: — Threshing was finished shortly before the weather broke. The grain threshed well ifor bulk, and the cample is bright and firm. Barley has been rather slow of sale, most of our farmers laving to wait a considerable time before they could secure offers. Sheep are being put on turnips lately. This crop is not aearly so good as last year, a.nd in many eases will stand but little feeding down.