LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 20

LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS.

When Stoplienson was asked what would happen if a cow got on the railway lino, the inventor of tho locomotive nanely replied that " ifc Mould be a bad job for th© ceo." Had his locomotive encountered a bullock in a tunnel, Slephcnson wouM probably have modified hi* reply somewnnt. A case in point was afforded by the escape from Burnside cattle yards of a bnllook belonging to Mr Brown, Strathmore Farui. Middlemarch. The animal had been sent io the yards for the sale en Wednesday, but escaped the night previous by breaking down the gate at the truck siding, thereby getting' on to the railway track, to the consternation of the railway officials, who?o efforts to get rid of the animal only resulted in driving it into the Caversham tunr>el. from which retreat it resolutely refused to move. Meanwhile the late trains wcro being delayed, the 10.20 p.m. train to Mosgiel being half an hour late in starting. Finally, the trains were taken through the tunnel at a very slow pace, driving the terrified bullock before them. The animal, however, returned to its ha,VDil of refuge as soon as the train had got clear. This process was repeated at intervals umil 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning, when the animal was shot while in the tunnel. It was then dragged clear of the tunnel. Mid when skinned was found to be so terribly bruised all over that it was a wonder it survived 1 to get its quietus from a bullet. The value of the animal was estimated at £7. An interesting sight at the Burnjitl-a ealeyards on Wednesday consisted of a couple of prime roasting sirloins from the freezing works, where the animals from which they were- cut had been ■slaughtered 48 days previously, and where the carcases had since been kept in a chilled state. The owners of tho works arc, in connection with tho shipment of ©hilled beef that vas despatched from Port Chalmei'3 by the steamer Tokomaru a few weeks ago, conducting tests of the chilling of meat under conditions corresponding as nearly as possible with those that will obtain on tho vessel, and the joints that were exhibited at Burnside on Wednesday were portions o£ meat that had been subjected 1 to this process. Their appearance attracted muo'i attention, being quit© different from that presented by frozen meat, for the joints had a fresh, bright look, and were firm to- ihe touch. Beef that has been similarly chilled has within the last faw days been, submitted i to the supreme test, which consists in Us 1 being- consumed, and we are assured that, | though it was eaten 43 days after killing, it left nothiug to be desired, and that, duo doubtless to the length of time for which j it had been hung, its quality was far above that of the average beef sold in town. In connection with the rise of Is 8d per 100 in the price of shearing in the North Otago district, brought about by the agency of Mr Steve Boreham, we are given to understand that there is every probability of the rise being general throughout Otago and Southland. At the Burnside Cattleyards on Wednesday, .v practical demonstration was given of the Do Lisle Luttrell Patent Painless* Brand-ing Composition by ihe manufacturer and patentee. Mr Do B. Be lisle. Farmers and stock dealers were well satisfied with the result of the branding and were impressed by the ease and rapidity with which the brand was applied by Mr De Lisle. This brand has b&en well tried by leading squatters in the North Island, and is also being largely used in Australia and the Argentine. The patentees have had several offers from the latter country to purchase Ihe patent rights of the composition. A demonstration I has also been given in Ohristchurch under the auspices of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — the committee being quite satisfied as to ths oainlessness of the brand. One very important featureof the brand is that the hide is uninjured, several hides having-- been tanned to prove this statement. • Mr De Lisle is making arangements with, a -prominent firm ef stock and station agents to act as wholesale .distributing agents for New Zealand for the branding composition. The North Otago Times understands that most, if not all, sheds on the Waitaki shearing with, hand shear-* .will pay 16s 8d _per 100 this season. Last year the employers had to face the Arbitration Court to resist impossible pin-prick rales, with the result that the shearers lost all points claimed and a reduction of Is 8d per 100, tho amount fixed by tho court being 15s. The shearers are indebted to Mr Steve Boreham for negotiating the above concession. Ths higher price will bo given to competent shearers only. The report of the directors of the Southland Farmers' Co-operative Association for the year ending July 31 state 3 that the profit and 10j.3 account shows, including the net balance (£932 8s Xd) earned forward from last year, a credit of £1339 7s M. Out of this the directors reecnunend payment cf a dividend of 5. pel- cent. — approximately £400; thaf> £'13-1 he wntteai off store furniture and plant and stationery accounts, and that £-200 be placed to a n servo account for bad and doubtful debts, leaving 1 , say, £1200 to be carried forward. The subscribed ctpital has increased by nearly £2800 since last report". In January last a branch was opened at Ota/iitau. Farmers In the near vicinity of Balclutha (says the Leader) complain that on Sunday afternoons especially their stock is much harassed by trespassers with clogs and gun? wandering sll -eves." their properties. At this season of the year much harm is done to ewes close to lambing, and we understand a movement is on foot lo punish summarily anyone bo offending. The correspondent of the Southern Standard writes as follows regarding Herict and surrounding districts: — Owing to the good winter ploughing, .etc., is well forward. So i* all out-door farm work, and wheat sowing is haung- attention, A are auantity

of wheat is already in the ground, some being brairded. Oats are gaining attention, and sowing 1 has com me ii cad, the land being in oKcollont condition. Altogether, our farmers are in great cheer, and pushing on j farm operations vigorously. Turniping is I hawng- attention, and on the majority of farms there is a plentiful supply. On some places the difficulty is to get them eaten off in time to have the land prepared for a grain crop. The new farmers on Moa Flat Estate settlement are all improving their purchases. We are all plaased for the good winter that tlioy have had to start in their new homes. Next winter, they will bo acclimatised, and know whab is really required. Mr Hugh Craig-, coach proprietor, Lawrence, who purchased the Island Block of the Moa Flat estate, has ploughed many acres in vieiv of the road from Lawrence to Roxburgh. The land that has beex down in gra^s for many j-ears turned up splendidly. A ploughing match wa=. held at Kakahu on the 24-th in splendid weather. Mr Charles Whyte, of Papakaio, was one of the judges, and the meeting was a great success, and we (Oamaru Mail) have again to report the- success oi some of cur local ploughmen, as Mr W. Brown, of Morvcn. succeeded in beating all competitors easily in G-I&SS A, whilst A. Brown was second and Martin Brophy third. Mr Whyte says tho work in Class A was perfect, and that the ploughing of Dan Horgan in Class C (plain ploughing) was of a very meritorious description. It is hoped that the northern representatives will come down to the Papakaio match to be held .on September 31, and endeavour to gst back the "ashes" that our district has wrested from them. A committee -meeting of ths Taieri Agricultural Society was held at Outram on the 22nd inst., Mr John Callendei (president) in the chair. On the motion of the Chairman tiie meeting adjourned for an hour out of respect to Mr James Shand, a late member of the committee. It was also decided to forward a letter of sympathy and condolence to Mr and Mrs William Shand in their sad bereavement. — Nine applications were received for the position of secretary and treasurer, vice Mr J. H. Allan (resigned). Mr J. W. Traser was appointed to the position.— A letter was received from the Stockbrockers' Association stating that the. association would contribute a donation of 10 guineas to the funds for the forthcoming show, instead of the members of tho association giving donations individually. Acknowledged with thank*--. — In reply to a communication from the Otago A. and P. Society, asking for a contribution towards a fund for enabling farmers to carry out experimental work in their ordinary farm duties, it was decided to contribute £5 towards tho fund. The Otago A. and P. Society have-docidad to grant up to £50. — Sub-committees and attending members were appointed' in connection with the show. Canvasse-rs w-ere appointed for the various districts, and judges nominated for the different classes.