SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 48

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES

(FaoM Our Oto Correspondent.)

INVEKCARGILL, May 12. To-day a fair'.y large quantity of osts was oSenng, and prices took a further rise of fully one half penny per busliel. Farmers sold ordinary B grade at 2s OJd to 2s Id, on trucks at country stations, while gome A grade brought as high as 2s 2d. The latter price was also paid for Hnts fit for seed of any variety. There ia a good demand- irom the north, but . merchants are only selling as (hey can buy, and it is understood that the best price they have obtained is 2s 2JtJ net. f.o.b.s.i. The average price of 2s a bushel is equivalent to 2s 3Jd f.0.b.5.i., so it is at once seen that merchants are. paying more than they c»n actually get. It is understood that a few of them are over sold, and must have the oats for immediate delivery. Given _* week of weather such as we are at present experiencing a large quantity of oats will be threshed, and shou'.d bo offering within the next fortnight. The general opinion is that prices will ease when offerings become m6re plentiful. All tho sales that have been made *re for immediate delivery, though it is understood that » small quantity has been placed for extended delivery over three months. Farmers are very pleased at the prices ruling, and they are much more inclined to sell than they were a fortnight back. Threshing mills ore going at top speed in the country. The quantity of stuff in stock is fairly large, and farmers all say that it is and has been the means of keeping the grain from sprouting. What is atill out will probably be kept for chaffing only. A quantity of new chaff has been offering at prices from £2 123 6d to £2 15s, on trucks at country stations. For immediate delivery to fill local requirements, as high ns £3 has been paid. The price is £3 5s to £3 10s (ex store, Invercargi.l). A few lines of new bailey have been offferins during the week, and prices rule from 3s 3d to 3s 6d, but the samples that have been offering cannot be called really first-clasa quality. Milling wheat is only offering in small quantitie? at 3s Id to 3s 2d, on trucks at country stations. There is a good enquiry (or fowl wheat, which is changing hands locally at 3s (ex store). The offerings of linseed are becoming more general, and the average price seems to be 5s 6d, on trucks at country , stations. Potatoes are still commanding 'high prices, and though it is recognised that Australian potatoes can be landed at £9 to JED 6s, local buyers are still giving as high as £9 10s, on trucks as country stations, for prime ports. The Djinedin market has been buying pretty freely during the last fortnight at £10 to £'0 10s "for Derwents and Up-to-dates respectively. There is nothing to report re ryegrass, as there is nothing doing in either perennial or Italian. There is still » fair demand from up north, but local merchants have very little more than will do for their own requirements.

There is no change to report in the piock market, and very little business has been done during the week. The price for store lambs continues to rule from 10s 6d to 11s 3d, and at these values there are plenty of buyers about. Fat lambs are still in lequest, at 14s 6d to 14s 9d, but very few are now offering. There has been more enquiry for prime wethers, and these have been Belling at from 17s 6d to 18s. Store wethers are in demand by northern buyers at 13s 6d to 14s 6d. , , -, There is nothing doing in flax, as the bad weather has stopped all deliveries, and merchants are relying on what they have in store to fill their orders.

The recent census shows that Gore hag advanced, the population now being a little ever 3000.

Lieutenant-colonel Henderson has resigned command of the local Volunteers in consequence of pressure of business. There is a very general feeling of regret that the force has lest such a popular and efficient officer. Mr Henderson has been connected with Volunteering in Southland for about 25 years, working up- from the ranks in the Bluff iNaval Artillery. A party of semi-intoxicated fiaxmillers managed to rai3e a little excitement in Esk street last Tuesday, and one of them, who was particularly boisterous, required three constables to put him in the cells. He had to pay pretty heavily next day for his froiic. Rev. A. M'Donaid, of Otautau, left last week for a trip to the Home Country. Before leaving he was entertained by his congregation at a farewell social, and presented -with, a purse of sovereigns. Mr W. Thorn, who has been country traveller for Messrs Herbert, Haynes, and Co. for many years, has recently retired, and is succeeded by Mr Sheargold, formerly in charge ot Messrs Thomson and Beattie's branch at Otautau, and recently of the staff of the - Southern Cross. Mr J. Dunbar, manager of the Southland Implement and Engineering Company, won lhe £5 5s offered for the best design for the Southland Ccurt at the Christchurch Exhibition. Mr Cyril Brown, who was trained in the office of Mr J. L. M'G. Watson, solicitor, of ihi-j town, has commenced practice at Port Chalmers. Mr R. P. M'Goun, clerk anrj treasurer to the Southland County Council, was, at last Tneeting, granted leave of absence on account of ill-health. His place will, in the meantime, be filed by Mr Arthui Service, who has been in the service of tho ccuncil for a good many The Southland Building Society has had an extremely prosperous year— the best in its history —the total advances during the year amounting to £124.600 At the annual general meeting last week a bonus of 5 per cent, on their salaries was voted to the members oi