SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 2727, 20 June 1906, Page 48

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES

(Fsow Our Own Corbespckdekt.l

rNVERCARGILL. June 16.

During the week only a very limited quantity of oats has bsen offering, but last week's values have been well maintained at 2s to 2s Id on trucks at country stations for B grade. The bulk of the oats offering will hardly coma up to this grade, but will probably be good enongh for f.a.q., which quality has been selling at Is lid to 2s. The total quantity offering during the week would not exceed 5000 sacks. Very little export business is being done, merchants finding that the best price that can be got for B grade is 2s 5d (f.0.b., sacks in, net). This price is being obtained for small quantities to the North Island. There have been several inquiries for large quantities for South Africa, as it is understood that a vessel is coming on the berth at Bluff some time next month to load for South African ports. So far no business has been done, bat merchants we in hopes of making sales on the basis of 2s 5Jd (f.0.b., sacks in). Any lines offering fit for seed are commanding exceptionally good prices, as high as 2s 2Jd on trucks at country stations having been paid. Milling oats are also in good request at from 2s 2d to 2s 3d, but the only lines offering axe from tihe Eastern district, principally of the Sutherland variety. Farmer b wre not keen to sell even at this price, as they seem to expect higher rates to rule l*ter on. Keport-s from London show the market to be very firm, but even at present values it would not pay the shipper, as, even with the cheap freights, very little more than 2s 3d (f.0.b.) can be returned. Reports from the country show that the threshing mills have just completed their rounds, and are now " drawing in," so that it is not likely that * great deal of oats -will be offering on the market till the spring threshing has started. The stocks in the Bluff stores a-t present will probably not exceed 50,000 to 60,000 sacks, a considerable quantity of which is sold for forward delivery. Prime chaff is m grood demand at *3 on trucks at country stations, and there is only SJfficient offering to keep the local market supplied. There is a good demand from Duuedin. but they will take nothing but tiie very prtmo3t quality. Several lines of inferior have been offering during the week, but merchants are not at all keen to operate in any bnt heavy and bright samples. Milling wheat is still very firm, and prices have a. tendency to still fnrtiior advance. As high as 3s 3d has been paid during the week for prime samples. Fowl wheat is selling at from 2s lOd to 3s Id on trucks at country stations, but the quantity offering is very small.

Potatoes remain firm »s {ar as TJp-to-Dates are concerned. These are now selling as high as £9 10s on trucks at country staSons. Derwents are hard -to place, but growers are selling in small lines at -S3 15s to JE9 on trucks. There is a splendid demand from the north for TJp-to-Da.tes, especially for seed purposes, and suitable lines are bringing from £3 to £10. Some Australian potatoes landed by local merchants have not proved as satisfactory as was expeoted. Very little business is passing in the stock market, and the sales during the week have bsen poorly supplied. Fat oa-ttle are in good request, and are soiling at from £9 10s- to £10 for prime bullccks. Ordinary " fats ' aTe averaging from £B 10s to £8 15s. There have been a few more buyers aboui during the week far dairy rows, but these are atijl hard to place. The average price ruling is from £1 10s to £5 10s. All classes of s-he&p offering have been readily placed at last week's quotations, and store lambs are inclined to advance in price. R^aliy good lines have been sold to northern buyers at 12s 3d to 12s 9d, but the average price seems to run from 11s 9d to 12s. Fat lamb 3 are getting exceedingly scarce, and 14s 6d to iss is still readily given for any lines offering. There is a good demand for youig ewes, but the local sales have be«n. very poorly supplied with this class of sheep, and any lines offering are quickly sr>ld at last week's values, or even a shade higher. Good young ewes can be quoted at from 17s to 18s 6d and wethers (if prime) a<t 18s to 19s. Things are very dull in the flax market, as the bulk oi the mills have cloesd down. There is practically no business being done, as the flax in Bluff has mostly been sold for " forward delivery " during the next few weeks. ,

June 19.

The Western District winter sho<v was held at Riveiton last Wednesday. The ertrics were about the same as last year, and the attendance of the public fair considering that the weather was rather unpleasant.

The mutton-birders have now all Teturned from the islands. According to the Western Star the haul for the year is a. record one, the total number of birds taken being 120,000, of a value of £2000. Tho mutton birds this year are m exceptionally good condition. Mr W. B. ScancireU lias decided that, in consequence of the many claims on his time, he will not be a candidate for a seat on the Southland Education Board at the forthcoming election. It is reported, says the Winton Record, that the will of the late Robert Watson, of Castlerock, has been found among some papers of the la,te Hon. Matbew Holmes, ar.d the whole of his property is thereby left to his sister, who lived with him. It was feared that he died without leaving any will, and the estate has been administered by the Public Trustee. Mr James Hastie, of Invercargill Garrison Band, has been appointed bandmaster of the OreTJnki Band.

Mr H. A. Archdall, of Te Tua, lisa been appointed first assistant at the Mataura School in succession to Mr D. D. Steadman, who re.ently left for Waikai^

The scnools at Gore are still closed., owing to an epidemic of measles in the district. Mr A. A. Paaps, who has been secretary of the Southland Sawmill Workers' Union since its formation, has resigned the position, which is one entailing a great expenditure of time and frequent absences from home. % Mr T. O'Byrne, president of the union, is ■mentioned as a possible successor. Sergeant Botvden, who has been appointed to the Feilding district, left here for hia new charge by Saturday afternoon's express. Before leaving, a number of citizens bade him good-bye at the Council Chambers, and, advantage was taken of the opportunity by some of those present to ssy a. few words of appreciation oi the worthy sergeant's services while in Invercargill. More tangible expression was given to this feeling of esteem by the presentation to Mrs Bowden of a purs© of sovereigns to purchase a suitable memento. The entries for Southland A. and P. Association's show, to be held in the Zeal&ndia Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday next, total 766. which -is an increase of 30 over tho entries of last year. The most noticeable increase is in. -cheese^ the number of .exhibits of which has risen from 40 to 69. So .great was the (remand for stands this year that several applications had to be refused. The charge against T. Jarvis of stealing rope, tools, etc.. from the Rose Casey while she was stranded at tho mouth of iho Aparima River at Rivertoa, was dismissed by Mr M'Carthy when the case came before him last week, the accused .giving v a reasonable explanation of his ' possession, of tho goods. ' The New Zealand Express Company has just completed a fine block in brick of stores, offices, stables, etc., *t the corner of Kelvin and Don streets, -at a cost of about £5000. During the past week the principal top jo of conversation in. Inverecxgill has bsen the tragically sudden death of Mr Seddon. Mr Seddon had many .ardent Admirers *nd mtuy close friends in this district, and, quite apart from his loss to the colony, there is a widespread feeling of personal loss. Quite a number of Southlandara intend going to Wellington to the funeral, and the day of Mr Seddon's burial will be a day of public mourning he'e. There will be a memorial service in the Garrison Hall, and a solemn processiexs-of the Volunteers and bands. Mr H. O. Dawson, of the Globe Hotel, Riverton, has taken over the Colac Bay Hotel.

On Wednesday night the annual installation of officers of the Victoria Lodge took place, when there was a. full attendance of visiting brethren. Mr N. J. Brokenshire was installed as W.M. for the ensuing season.

The mutton-birders having all returned, there is » great rnsh to place their catch on the market, and they ate complaining of having to accept from "id .o Id less per bird than last yeax, notwithstanding the fact that the birds are in a far better • condition thia year, than last. The retail price, however, is, if anything, dearer than last year. Little is being done among the Volunteers at present. Shooting at Grasmere has been postponed for the winter, but I fancy some of the companies will endeavour to get through their class-firing, as although th« weather is co"d the days are generally fine for a coupk of months about this time of the year, and a number of members^of the same company con club together and spend some pleasant afternoons on tha range. During th» winter months ths sooial aide of Volunteering i 3 cultivated, and many -and attractive are the -wiles resorted to to bring the members together in the orderly room. Besides .ho usual card parties, etc., the Awaruas hava lately purchased a bagatelle table, and Z understand the Oretis are going: in for * billiard table.

Messrs J. Lsnni© and Sons hare just made two splendid floral wreaths to tbe order of the Invercargill and Bluff Borough. Councils, which have to bo »ent to Wellington as a tribute of respect to the memory of the late Premier.

Post-cards of the lata Right Hon. Mr Seddon were on pale in the shops on Saturday, and there was c. great demand 1 for them, some cf tbe shops selling right out of them. From "Wednesday to Saturday a, bazaar was held in the Drill H*ll, Bluff in aid of St. Matthew's Church funds. Mie« Hamsun being in Invercargill for the Eue;by Bally, the committee secured her to teach the children reveral dances, which all passed off successfully. It is understood that the result of the carnival is well ur> to expectation?.

Before leaving ths Buff for an -extended tour of the word Mr J. Metzger was entertained at dinner by some of his friends, and presented with a silver-mounted spirit flask, all joining in wishing him a pleasant voyage and a safe return.

Lately the telegraph men have been busy on the Bluff lin<> putting up the wires and installing the tnb'et system. 18 0 ''ess than four are required, and are now fitted up, being at Clifton. Wood-end. Awarua, and Green Hills. When tho officers have been appointed to tako charge of these stations travelling will be carried on more safely ihan it was possible in the absence of the tablet system.

Deafnesa Cured. — A description of the latest and most up-to-date home treatment for the complete cure of Deafness end Head Noises sent free to any sufferer. — Tho Vibrophonc Co., 62 Pitt street, Sydney.

The m<vlical offiocr of the Oulton (Suffolk) Workhouse says that the reason the old people in tfio workhoufe live so long is thai they are so well fed. They enter tho house when 75 years old to die, ho says, and then live another 10 years.

The factory managers of Victoria are not treated as well by their companies as are the managers in thia colony. According to the Australasian, some managers attending the recent conference of butter managers in Melbourne had their wages stopped during tho time they were absent at the conference !

Throughout the Wakatipu this season there have been some very fine grain yields. Mr R. Hunter, of Malaghans, obtained 75 bushels to the acre in oats, and this was after a wheat crop. At the Crown Terrace Messrs O'Fee Bros, expect to get 120 bushels to the acre with their oat crop. Among the wilder of the Caucasus every child is taught to use the dagger almost as coon as he can walk. The children first learn to stab water without making a splash, and by incessant practice acquire an extraordinary command over the weapon.

Lord Gwydyr (Peter Robert Burrell), who entered upon his ninety-sixth year on April 27, and is the doyen in respect to age in the House of Lords, was in his sixty-first year when ho succeeded to the title.

Postal Troubles Settled. — Correspondents and patients are informed that letters, also remittances, for Messrs Freeman and Wallace may in future be addressed to them as originally— namely, to the Electro Medu cal Institute, Elizabeth and Bathuret streets, Sydncj.