MATAURA.

Southern Cross, Volume 7, Issue 34, 18 November 1899, Page 12

MATAURA.

The additions to the freezing works are going ahead steadily, and when completed should place the Company in such a position that there should be no more stoppages for lack of storage space should steamers fail to arrive up to time. Now that the County Council has taken the small bird nuisance in hand and is giving two pence a dozen for heads and eggs, all the youngsters in the place are on the hunt for bird’s nests, and judging by the number brought in from time to time, they appear to be very successful birdnesters. The most objectionable feature of the whole thing is that this wholesale slaughtering of birds by children has the effect of making them cruel-hearted. This idea is held by a good number of people, but the question arises—What can we do F The birds must _ be killed, as they are very destructive to all crops as well as to small fruit. Farmers who are a little behind with their work are hastening on

with it and are at it late and early trying to make up for lost time daring the recent rough spell of weather. So far everything is look ing well, and gives promise of a good harvest. 1 Gold dredging still occupies a considerable amount of attention amongst a large number of our people, but it begins to tell in another fashion, as it is a question of paying up calls at present, and this methinks some are finding a much more serious matter than they anticipated, as it is all pay out and no pay in. Of course there is no doubt that in the end it will come out right and pay fair dividends, but I don’t think that there is a great fortune in it as some appear to think. Time will cell, and a few months will settle the question. The dairy factory is in full swing. The supply has, 1 believe, reached 2000 gallons per day. Miss Kirk, the agent of the New Zealand Alliance, delivered a lecture in Wilson’s Hall last night to a large and appreciative audience, about 250 being present. Mr Pryde (in the absence of the chairman of the local branch of the IJ.T. Council) occupied the chair. At the close of her address, which lasted about an hour and a half, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer on the motion of Mr Lowden, and was carried with acclamation.