INVENTION'S PROTECTED. VICTORIA. QUEENSLAND. Brisbane, August 6. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. TASMANIA. LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 8

INVENTION'S PROTECTED.

VICTORIA.

QUEENSLAND. Brisbane, August 6.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

TASMANIA.

LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS.

July has been, practically ban-en of rain, tha precipitation being, confined to showers on the seaboard and light rains" in the south-eastern quadrant of the State, and . also at a few stations in the central' and j north-western district. In very few in-, stances were the falls sufficient to do_ any j good, as they rarely exceeded half an j inch, and this falling on the dry feed coos far more harm than good. Very heavy frosts i have occurred, both along the seaifooard and in the inland districts, snd, in- j deed, in the matter of temperature the pre- | sent winter is a record one. The result on ! the feed, of course, has been to dry it out, and stock owners are looking forward to spring 1 pains to give them green feed, more particularly for the lambings tbafc are now in progress. There is, of course, no change , to- report in the condition o-f aifairs in the 'Winton. and Flinders River districts, from •which large numbers of bto.-;k have teen removed. The trouble is apreadiiig io the south, and in the osntral district several 1 graziers have judged it advisable to move their sheep or to look out for relief country. Several properties along the central line have changed hands on i his -account, including Stainburn Dcufcs, purchased hy the Fairbai'Mi Pastor! 1 'Jonipai-v. and Earcoorah and Eastmero, on the desert coun- \ try. which have become Iha property of Mr E. Jowett, of Kynuna. Shearing is not yefc in full swing, but from advices received if M.jnis probable that there will be a scarcity of shearers, and difficulty is anticipated in filling the boards. Prices for sheep show a decline, but little business is being transacted. The prices of cattle are harden ing, as a result chiefly of the operations of the meat works, nearly all of which ar© now in the market. There seems some likelihood) that the Moorarec Meat Works, near Brisbane, belonging to Messrs Birfc and Company, .will commence operations.

Adelaide, August 30. The weather during the past four months has been all that the most exacting could desire Further showers have fallen over the pastoral country, and lighten 1 rains have visited the agricultural districts. The outlook' could scarcely be better than it is at 43ie present time. August has come in <with warmer da.ys l and the grass and hei'bnge are now beginning, to respond to the influenoe of the heavy rains and warmer •weather. If all goes well, the season through out m South Australia should prove a magnificent one for rural producers. The wheat crops are looking splendid every where, whilst supplies of water should carry gtoek owners well through the summer. The first parcel of this season's wool, (consisting of 34- bales, ihas come from Wirraminna, north-west of Port Augusta. The earlier stations have now started shearing, and the secretary of the Pastoralists' Association has been busy making arrangements for getting many hundreds of hands wanted in the country. Pastoialists find it b gieat convenience to bs able> to send to a central office for their shearers, and 1 the work goes on much more smoothly now that wool growers have combined to look after their own interests and work tUeir ibusiness- with some amount of unity of action. Shearing operations will not begin in our inside country until September, but towards the end of the present month fair supplies of wool will ba received. Leading authorities in the wool trade agree that there is going to be a good clip [throughout this State, and they are looking forward to improved prices. The quality is likely to be good 1 all round. " The annual official figures giving the Stg-ricultural and liv-e stock returns for the 12 months up to March, 31 have just been published by the Government. They show gratifying increases in nearly every line, Sncluding an increase of over 500,000 in cheep, 28,000 in cattle, and nearly 7000 in -hordes. The following table clearly sets out the progress which has been made in restocking; since the drougbt: — Year. Sheep. Cattle. Horses. 1301-2 „ „. 5,012,216 225,256 165,303 1902-3 ..- .. 4,880,540 213,343 164,625 1903-4 ..i „ 5,298,720 244,610 176,648 1904-5 ** see 5,320,301 272,453 183,481

During the week ending August 14 Messrs Baldwin and Raj ward, Patent Attorneys, Wellington, prepared and filed the following applications for protection under tha Patents, Designs, anc 1 Trr.dc Marks Act:— • Monitor Shipping Corporation, England, improvements in navigable vessels; Wm. Robins, Auckland, trade mark "Banzai"; E. V. Jone?, Christchurch, advertising 1 device ; H. Qucrtier, Dmiedin, trolley-pold for electric traction; Middleton and Nugent, West Australia, grinding apparatus; C. H. Graham. Dunetlin, attachment to register grates; J. H. Tackson, Dannevirke, an improved boot; C. Henry and E. J. Hatcher, Dunedin, candle exthiguislier j D. Krmpotie, Victoria, r-ea-sholling machine ; H. Brown, Wairoa, collecting rain water; J. Fry and Sons, Bristol, trade mark " Five Boys" j Louis Brandt, Switzerland, trade mark "Omega"; A. Lowe, Hastings, thinning; knife; Carroll, Jacob?, and M'lntosh. Victoria, flying machine ; J. Nortliey, Christ* church, valve for rams ; H. Quertier, Dunedin, cleaning rails of tramways; F. Edwards. Hawera, sterilising air; C. P. Parkerson, Auckland, receptacle for condiments; H. Quertier, Dunedin, non-re versing trolley-pole : W. B. Jones, Hastings, cultivator; W. Stokes, jun., and J. H. Suckling, Chriatchureh, a new motor ; C. Miller, Nelson, electric magnetic game ; W. F. Williams, London, raising and lowering - window sashes; John Bell, Victoria, pump repairing jack; E. J. Rigby, Malvern, pneumatic rock drill ; Nieholis and Bennett, Auckland, high-pressure boiler ; H. Siehuci kar, Berlin, improvements in files; A. W. t Jones and Sons, Christchurch, electromedical appliance; C. Bristow, Christ* church, trade mark '" Expulsion" ; Preser«* valine Manufacttuing Company, New Ycrfejj tiade- mark "Preservaline." Baldwin and Rayward's Pamphlet 01* Patents is obtainable free from all offices of the firm. Publisher* of "Progress," monthly journal devoted to science ans industry*

of export from Sydney during July and for the fiisi sovcu. mouths of 1905: — Seven July, Months, 1905. 1900. Wool, bales „, „> %* 9,819 206,37S Skins, packages .. -■.. 2,368 10,135 E.des, No. ... .. ... 9,614 61,556 liaat'har, packages .. .. 673 4,587 , Pwsservred ineat3, cas.es? .. 13,016 40,716 , Frozen mutton, carcases .. 27,225 147 ?22 Frozen bsef, pieces .. .. 480 4,288 Butter, boxes 20,537 181,092 Horns, -No tt 78,520 455,082 Flour, centals .. .. .. 29,358 369,787 Wiieat, centals.., .. .. 10 2.373,451

Melbourne, August 13. Everything has gone well during the fconth for pastorausts and graziers, and as far as r-an now be judged the prospects of a record harvest are extremely favourable There is sups to be an abundance of f&ed all over the Stats, and as stock are an fair condition already in most districts, a little -warm weather will soon make everything lcok rail. The shippers are all pro- | paring for a L-ij, export of lambs, and will not now be long before commencing- operations in the northern districts. A *ew thousand lambs of this season's drop have keen sent to markes. and are rather beyond the average quality of the first arrivals. \\c shall not see aSiy really good sappy lots until the weather gets a little warmer. The ram sales went off very well- iae feature of ihe merinos was the absence _ot wrinkle, the fashion now running to plambediod sheep. Lincolns were fairly well represented, and. a strong set in their direction was manifested. The attendance of/ buyers vrais large and representative, and no* lack of power to buy nor confidence in the future was presented. At the draught' horse sales things were .very brisk, competition being extremely keen for all suitable animals. A big rise in potatoes has given a muehmeoded help to the small growers, and as & large proportion managed to hold the ( crop over, a handsome return is coming ir to the fortunate holders. Complaints come from the "Western district that ■ stock stealers are very active, and there is talk of forming a stock protection association. One sheep owner ne.ir Koroit recently reported the loss of some valuable rams, and a, man has been commitied for trial for killing one of them for tucker.

There has also been a large increi.°e in [ pigs and poultry, whilst tho figures relating ' to the area of land under cultivation —over 1 3,000,000 acres—are the largest *»vc>- i«- i corded. The statistics as a whole indicate ■ the distinct expansion of all our rural in- ; dustries, and it is pretty evident that not only are producers extending their opera- , tions, but they are conducting their business on much more scientific lines than formerly. There ha« been an increase m the yield of wool per sheep, whilst the productive capacity of the soil is being added to by the application of fertilisers , and improved methods of farming. I Supplies of lambs are beginning to reach the market, and exporters arc busily ongaged in making their arrangements for the season which is now on. Last yoar^ South Australia sent away jipproximately"* 200,000 carcases, and although, this total may not bs exceeded, it will probably be well maintained. Considerable attention is j being paid by stock owners and small far- i mers to the production of a lamb that will ' meet requirements of the English market, j and now that the business has boon estab-'j lishod on paying linos, and the producers. sec that there is money in it, it will prob- j ably continue to grow. There is still a big ' opening in this State for the extension of the business, more particularly when growers realise the opportunities that lio at their hands' for growing- summer fodder and increasing' their profits by improving the quality of their flocks. There has been improvement as well as increase in live stock at tlie Raseworthy ' Agricultural College. There arc about 500 ewes on the farm, and these will be gradu- I ally increased to about 1000. The per- ! centage of lambs this season was about 90 i per cent. There have also been additions | made to the dairy herd, including Ayr- , shire stock purchased in Victoria. Mr i Alec. J. Murray, with his usual generosity, lias just made an excellent offer to the college. He has promised to keep the in- ' stitution supplied with Jersey bulls for a i number of years on most favourable conditions. I

Launceslon, August 1. July has in this year. 1905, regained its old reputation as the wettest month of the winter. _ All over the Stato heavy rains have fallen. Quite an absence of frost has. I on the other hand, helped tho growth of cereals and feed, and there is a prospect of one of the finest springtimes we have experienced for many years. Lambing has commenced in the early districts, and! amongst some stud 1 flocks, with very fair' results, but the lambing time for tho , greater pjirt of the State will not commence before August and September, when much finer weather may be expect t*'. Stud sheep, merino, Shropshire, Lincoln, and Southdown art, as usual at this time of the year, leaving for all the States. By the Wesfcralia for Sydney 100 Shropshire rams and 16 ewes were forwarded to Mr A. M'Sflmne, of Toowoomba, and I hear of several lots going north shortly. The Melbourne sales are also drawing a good collection of nierinos from most of the breeders, while Shropshires, Lincolns, and Soufchdowrts will be sent forward also. Fruit opntmues with potatoes to form tho principal of our agricultural exports for tho month. Prices for fruit are low, while J potatoes continue to advance; £6 pe.r ton I is now paid for best; all the States, in- ! .eluding New Zealand, arc importers. The Chief Inspector's annual report to Parliament has been laid on the table, and , is. as usual, a carefully-compiled document. The small percentage of lambs—from 50 to 70 xjer cent. —was accounted for by the ewes being deficient of milk consequent on the rabbits having eaten the more nourishing food. But is this so? On properties I know no rabbits exist, and yefc the ewes were without milk. The report states that during" the past year 8804 stud sheep of the value of £39,961 were exported to the other States, showing how ' the stud flocks are increasing. ! The publication of the Government Statistician's interim report for tho season 1904 of the principal crops and live stock is not the most encouraging. As often predicted, the Tasmanian farmer under federation has not found out where he is; he is feeling hi way. Cultivation for cereals is decreasing: the estimate shows a decrease of 19,699 acres: roots and forage, 14,000 aores. Orchards show an increase oi 880 acres, giving 1 a present ' total of 18,654 acres, and an increased pro- j duction for the year of 93.653 bushels. The ! average yield of grain, 20.49 per acre; wheat showed an increase of 2.87 and oats 0.23. while barley shows a falling-off of 4.97 bushels per acre. In live stock, horses show an increase of 1024, cati7e 16,369, piss 21,405, while sheep show a decrease of 40,593. Though tbe "number is less, the value has increased, as such a large number of stud sheep are now raised in Tasmania, which necessitates more room being given them than formerly.

At the Magistrate's Court, Wyndliem, last, week, aa EJendale farmer was fined £2 10s andi ordered to pay costs on a charge of exposing lousy sheep for sale. Inspector Wright asked for an increased penalty, as the previous cases should have acted as a warningThe annual meeting of t-übscribers to the Papakaio ploughing match was held in the hall on the 19th inst., Mr O. Whyte in the chair. Thero wa; a very good attendance. The report and balance sheet, showing a credit balance of £11 14s, were read and confirmed unanimously. The following gentlemen were elected a committee for the current year:—President, JVTr O. Whyte; secretary and treasurer, Mr P. Dunn; committee— M^-ssvs A. Robbie, J. Doig, J. Gibson, jvui., A. Gibson, W. Gray, jun., John Wilson, sen., J. Weir, 15. Poland, A. M'Donald. W. Gardiner, Geo. De-nnison, and T. Hall, jnn. It was agreed to hold the match on the 21st September if a suitable ground could be obtained. Mr J. Cameron, South Wyndham (says' tho Farmer), has had the misfortune to lose a shorthorn bull, valued at 40gs, and brodl by the Millers, of Taieri. The animal succumbed, it is believed, to the effects of a solution of "non-poisonous" 6heep diy with which he was washed the previous day.

The old settlers ol Waimumu on Friday evening. 18th inst., tendered a social t<i a number who have lately gone to the district, close on 200 being present. Mr Thcs. Mac Gibbon said that he> was the third settler to arrive mi tfliat wild district, nearly 40 years ago. There were, of course, no roads or bridges, and they had many difficulties to contend against thji£ the younger generation could.

hardiy api'.rccisic. Ho took the fir-t lord of wool from Longrklgc to Invercargill, a>'d vsas throe weeks en tho journey, a journey that might now bo made :n as many days. Mr H. Cameron, Mayor of Mat aura, was also rcrn'ai'ce'xt, stating that hs remembered when ihoro were onlj four white people in the distuct. He v-*a-s one of iho l^i'i-ty. and was tamccJ one liight in tho viciinty. rii'iy wcro accompanying 3 T r Mantell io Iho Bluff to pay tho ilaoris* for the Muri'nku block of land, which v. fs nearly all Southland. The company comn ented on Mr Fricdlandor'* entorpi-iso in purchasing the block, and thus enabling, so n any to procure good homo's.

Referring to the small bird mu=ance, the DiMistan Times says: — Owing- to the mildness of the past waiter poisoning opfiMtions have bean a distinct failure, as tl c birds will not take the poisoned giain unIpss driven to it by adual starvation. A few years ago tho mti^e ov>] was fairly numerous in parts of tho district, and did a- lot ot t-ood \york amongst the bird-*. On a calm night his efFoetnc work could easily bj recognised by tho screech o. h's victim and thy hurried exit of tho rest of the feathorcd triba from the shelter ot the Ucc.« in f hc plantations. Unfortunately, the onl, from his shortsightedness in the daytime, a'ld his unsuspecting nature, foil a'l too es-sy a prey to the thoughtless destruction of our so-called sportsmen, until at the present time they arc virtually extinct, in this locality at anyrats. Recognising the good work which the owl performed i i tho past in keeping his orchard comparatively cle*r of small birds, a leading local orehardht has been "importuning the Go%a.rnm,enfc with a vet to the importation of a number of English owls. The matter has been referred to tho Minister of Agriculture toi his consideration, and in the interests of fruit, growers it is to be hoped that the effort to introduce them will be successful.

The annual meeting, of the Clubha and Matau A. and P. Society was held on the19th inst. Mr Jos. Smith occupied the chair. Tha report and balance sheet were submitted to the meeting. The balance sheet for the year showed recerots to have been £.345 lls 4d, expoudituro £3W 6s lid, leaving a credit in the bank of £3 4s sd. To this was to be added cash m hand £4 2s and subscriptions to collect £B—making8 — making a total credit of £15. bs sc?. The report and balance sheet were adopted. — Office-bearers for the ensuing year we/o elected as follow? : President, Mr Jod. Smith ; vice-presidents, Messrs H. T. Stodart and W. J. Keys; secretary, Mr Thcs. M'Donald (re-elected) ; treasurer. Mr John Turnbull (re-elected) : auditor, Air John Gow (re-elected) ; general committee— Messrs A. Houliston, John Smith, Jos. Mosley. J. F. Ayson. -5. B. M'Ned, R. Campbell. A. Cunningham (to retire next y3ar),J. E. Eenton, D. Bryco, John Bsgg, jun., VV. Marshall, J. Grigor, D. Sheddan, John Findlay (to retire in two years), D. Murray, W. Scott, C. Lucas (Greenfield), G. Gillespie, J. O. Anderson, T. E. Mackay, H. Clarke (new members). Management Committee — Messrs A. Houliston, D. Sheddan. H. Clarke, John Grigor, T. R. Mackay, D. Murray, R. Campbell, J. Begg, jun., and J. K. Eenton. — The following letter was read:— A meetimg of the Dunedin stock agents was held last week, when the matter of donations to shows was brought up for discussion. Of late years this has been a heavy and increasing tax upon agenta. but at the same time they recognise that ft is only right that they should subscribe to the funds of any body that has for its object the improvement of stock in a district. Your socierv, wo. are sure, has don-3 gocd in this way in the- past, and it was resolved that an annual donation from the Dunedin Stock Agents' Association of £10 1C S be made to your funds It was lesclved that in future no subscriptions would bs made by individual firms. " and the amount stated would be obtamad on application to thf chairman (Crosby Morris). This may be used in whatever way your oounmtice think best, and will save the trouble of canvassing. Mr Mackay spoke against •'he practice of sending to Dunedin for subscriptions. He said the people there were sick cf it. It was about tima a, county liks the Clutha should run a show theimeivss without sending to Dunedin for subscriptions. — It was decided to hold the animal horse parade en Friday, October 6. — It wa? also decided, afror some discussion, that ths subscription remain as at present (10s bd).— Mi Mackay moved — "That a canvasser be appointed to go round the farmers to enrol members on a comnrssion of 10 per cent, for n^w members only." Seconded by Mr J. B. M'Neil. Mr Petrie said he did not like the idea of a paid canvasser. _ Members should do all they coula to sell tickets. He moved as an amendment — ''That the society adhere to the old st^le." Mr Houliston seconded and fehe ameadment was carried.

The Southland News states that there are at present a number of northern farmers in Southland malting inquiries with a view to purchasing rural properties in thai distinct, coming- from as far north as Taranaki. The visitors arc much surprised at th-> weather now being experienced in Southland, their impression, from what they had heard and read of this part of the colony in the matter of weather, having been rather' adverse.

A Strath-Taicri settler informs the Bruce Herald that practically no rain had fallen in that district since about January last. In the Tokomairiro district little rain has fallen since last May. The result, in Milton, is that the supply of water from tanks is nearly finished, and most householders, have to either carry water from wells or get it carted in barrels from the. river.