CURRENT TOPICS.

Southland Times, Issue 16688, 17 March 1911, Page 5

CURRENT TOPICS.

DAIRYING, .in esteemed country correspondent Writes : A Winton milk supplier’s cheque for February was £l6 odd for seven cows. I forget how much the odd shillings were, but the amount was some shillings over £2 for cows. At £l6 2s it would be £2 6s per cow. I think it made more, just counting it up in my mind at the time. These, I have no doubt, are selected cows and well fed. They are fine cows to look at. Some dairymen are having about £1 per cow per month at different factories ; some over that, and many, I am led to believe, very much less. I beard of one or two who did not have 15s per cow for February. It will be said that the party with the seven cows baa only a small herd and ho feeds them well, and that so much could not possibly be done with 70 cows. But many who have, say, 10. 15, or 20 cows will be found earning less than £1 per cow during the same period. ■Why is it so ? And why should It be so if selecting, culling, testing, and feeding, can enable one party to accomplish so much, while there are others I know who have equal facilities for doing so with comparatively small herds too ? In too many cases dairying is only a subsidiary part of the farming operations, and the cows are not nearly as much attended to as they ought to be to make them pay. This has been one of the very worst seasons conceivable for successful dairy operations : but I venture to affirm there are those in some districts who have been dairying for a period of years who have, by judicious management, done not so badly after all. I know of several who in the better years preceding the last two, with about 70 cows milking, earned over £IOOO for the season. The man who now has seven cows, during the summer of 1908-0. with three cows drew from the factory about £54 for the season ; or US per cow. The latter instance is exceptional ; but even this season, he will reach £l4 per cow. Now I am positive there are many who have been doing things just any way. or in a haphazard way. who cannot have earned much more than half the same amount per cow. There are farms I know in several districts going back every year under a continuous system of cropping both in grain and grass-seed. They do not grow the grass they did a few years ago by a long way. and a few more years of the same style of farming will tell its own tale. There are farms I know In the same localities where this system of scourging is not prosecuted, and everything appears to be in far better order. Those farms seem to have grass earlier In the spring, It is more abundant all the season, and the stock have always a very much better appearance, and considerably more stock are carried too. Some of those I have referred to that are deteriorating and on the down grade had better conditions of soil to begin with .than their neighbours who are now ahead of them. It is being found that the best plan to cope with the thistle nuisance is to summer fallow, which is helpful. The summer fallowing gives the soil a spell and helps it to recuperate, but it is also to be noted that this last season, and one or two preceding, have been highly favourable for killing weeds. The same conditions need not be expected to hold good continuously, and what then, particularly if we should have a succession of very wet seasons, as we have had before, and may easily have- again ? It may not do to depend upon summer fallowing absolutely, although for those who have been harrying the soil of Us native fertility by cropping, etc., it is so far to be recommended as a remedy. It is generally allowed that in those districts where dairying is more generally carried on, more intense cultivation is required. "Where cropping is being persistently pursued, and only sheep depasturing, heavy crops are disappearing every year, and are nothing like so common as they used to be, and the same swards of grass are not to be seen. I do not think such Is the case with cattle and dairying. and I am sure some of those farms that have been so severely dealt with for some time back, would be much benefitted by a spell of dairying, and the bank overdraft become a thing of the past, with, in many cases, a credit balance instead. But then there are always some serious difficulties ahead. There Is often a want of enterprise, and what is. or appears to be, the easiest way of getting along is not infrequently preferred. To many “there Is a lion in the way.” It seems too hard and too strenuous to think of bearding the lion in his den, and, knowing also that there must be “no turning upon his bed as the door turneth upon its hinges" If he has got to be up and at-it, the lazy man prefers to slip along somehow, even though he knows he might improve his position considerably.

RUSSIA AND CHINA. Seeing that Russia has presented to China a note that reads very like an ultimatum the dispute between the two countries is a matter of grave importance. Mr Tong Chai Chih. editor of the ’’Tung Wah Times” (Sydney), recently gave an interesting account of the trouble between Russia and China. "Russia’s determination to secure a footing in Mongolia,” he says, “finds expression in various ways. Her latest move was for the appointment of Russian Consuls at various Mongolian centres to act as advisers to the local authorities, a subject which was discussed between the Russian Prime Minister at Peking and the Wai-Wa-Pu (the Chinese Foreign Office). The Wal-Wa-Pu declined to consider the proposal, being warrantably suspicious that Russia would not be satisfied with this except as the beginning of much grander schemes to the detriment of the Chinese Empire. The time has now arrived when China can see the real character of Russia. She can no longer take advantage, as she has done in the past, of the ignorance, weakness, and corruption on the part of high and mighty Mandarins by her bogus friendship to China, and by assuring her that Russia was most anxious indeed that China should not fall a prey to others, and that it was the keen desire of the Tsar to maintain the independence of China. Let any impartial person carefully study Russia’s attitude towards China, and he will find that Russia always demanded something when China was most helpless. Now, China at the present moment, as the world knows, is suffering from the effects of plague and famine, and to strike her now is a crime against humanity.

"The Russo-Japanese agreement Is held in the gravest apprehension by the people of China, who think that Russia and Japan have come to an understanding as to the best means of absorbing China. Japan’s friendship towards China is no better than that of Russia. The selfish aggressive policy which was so conspicuous in Russia before Japan defeated her is now even as much, if not more, pronounced, in Japan. Therefore, instead of the protector Japan assumes the role of oppressor, and in every way proves herself not an unworthy successor of Russia. Her policy In Korea, her actions in the HainmlntuFakumun railway question, her opposition, in conjunction with Russia, to the neutralisation of the Manchurian railway. and her recent interference in the Chin Chow railway scheme, are certainly measures which will not inspire confidence as regards Japan’s sincerity in the oft-repeated profession of the openfloor.”

The Hawke Cup has not yot come to hand from England. It is, however, on board the Ruahine and should arrive in a day or two. Had it not been for the delay arising from the ramming of the Kuahine at Las Palmas, the cup would have arrived in ample time for the final game of the 1911 series.

Things will hum in Southland cricketing circles next season. Fast upon the victory at Christchurch came congratulations and a challenge from Nelson, Yesterday another challenge was received from South Canterbury, whose chances of supremacy were nipped in the bud by Southland at Dunedin last January.

At the reception tendered to the rep. cricket team yesterday, Mr Jno. Stead told of a man he had met in Queenstown who was Ipud in his praises of the generosity of Mr Hawke in giving such a handsome trophy as the Hawke Cup. Mr Stead’s acquaintance evidently associated Yorkshire’s sporting lord with a wellknown Invercargill citizen.

By way of illustrating the value of Sunday observance. Dr Henry stated yesterday that it was a well-known fact amongst all fishing communities that the man who fished on only six days of the week caught more fish than the man who fished on all the seven days of the week. This statement evoked a re, likable amount of applause.

The War Office is inviting applications from cavalry and Infantry sergeants to go to New Zealand as instructors. Four of each are wanted, and the men selected must be young, unmarried, desirous of and medically fit for the appointments. They will be paid £l6O a year. Mr J. E. Lowe notifies elsewhere that he will resume dancing classes in Invercargill on April 7. Mr Lowe undertakes to teach anyone to waltz after throe private lessons.

Mr H. R. Robb, baker, South Invercargill. has just received from the New Zealand agent the third prize for his collection of Old Judge cigarette covers, his tally for the six months ended last January being 1562. Mr Robb’s prize is a silver Rotherham watch.

A Timaru telegram states that the Captain of the s.s. Kumara yesterday recognised on board the s.s. Egcrton Grange a man who deserted from the Kumara at Sydney, and that he was given into custody after inquiry as to whether the proceedings were legal. A Ceylon resident who is at present visiting Wellington states that tea is likely to be dear for some time to come. Russia is now taking much larger quantities of Ceylon tea, and a probable reduction in duty will be likely to still further stimulate sales to that country. Then the Ceylon crop is much below the usual quantity this season. He states that Australasians are the largest tea drinkers in the world.

Advice has (says a Christchurch telegram) been received from the office of the Minister of Internal Affairs at Wellington that the red deer stalking season in North Otago will commence on April Ist and close on May 20th. The license fee for the Otago district is £4 and for the Waitaki district £3, and for an additional fee of £1 a stalker may shoot two more stags In the latter district. The fallow buck shooting season is from April Ist to May 31st, and the license is £2.

A remarkable climbing feat was achieved at the end of January when, accompanied by two Grindelwald guides, Miss Constance Barnicoat, a New Zealand journalist, made the first ascent this winter of the great Schreckhorn. This is the severest climb in the Bernese Oberland, and is seldom attempted by ladies even in summer, and only once before in winter. The weather and snow conditions were excellent, but much wind and considerable cold were encountered. The ascent from the hut took sixteen hours.

At a meeting of the Wellington Merchants’ Association, Mr H. Beauchamp presiding, a resolution was passed urging the necessity for the Government to proceed at the earliest possible moment with the amendments to the Bankruptcy Act as reconv ended from time to time by the Associated Chambers of Commerce of the Dominion. This resolution will, in due course be forwarded to the proper authority. Though rain has fallen heavily for the last few days the bush fires at Bluff have not yet been extinguished. The fire has gained a strong hold in the bush and particularly in the decayed vegetation which covers the ground as a kind of peat, and spreads despite the dampness of the rain.' The residence at the Signal Station has had to be abandoned as the burning peat has approached to within a few feet of the building. The only precaution which can be taken is to dig trenches in the hope of stopping the progress of the fire in the peat until such time as continuous rain may extinguish it.

A Committee meeting of the Beautifying Society, held last night, was presided over by Mr C, S. Longuet. A subcommittee was appointed to inspect Block 1 of the Gardens (between Clyde and Nith streets) with a view to suggesting improvements to the Wood street side. The block of the gardens between Ythan street and Ness street was the subject of considerable discussion and it was decided, subject to the approval of the Council, to meet on the ground on the afternoon of Wednesday, 29th inst., and plant bulbs in the grass. It is anticipated that there will be little difficulty in obtaining a supply of bulbs suitable for the purpose and members of the Society will do the work of planting.

An aero-message received at Wellington from B.M.S. Maitai, at 10 o’clock on Saturday evening, stated that a passenger, imagining that he was proceeding on hoard the steamer for Suva, boarded the Maitai just prior to the vessel casting off from the wharf at Auckland for Raratonga, Papeete, and San Francisco. Some time later he discovered his mistake. and immediately the Maitai was stopped, and a launch was whistled tfor. Soon the flurried passenger was transferred to the tender, and the Maitai proceeded on her voyage. At the time of sending the message. Mr Gabriel the wirless operator, stated that the vessel was about 120 miles on her journey, and was experiencing fair weather. The distance which the message must have travelled to reach Wellington would be about 390 miles in a direct line.

In the Supreme Court at Gisborne yesterday the case of Wm. Knox Chalmers, of Gisborne, sheep farmer, on behalf of himself and all other shareholders in the East Coast Petroleum Coy., Ltd. v. W. Llssant Clayton, of Gisborne, land agent, Geo. Hutchinson, of Wanganui, barrister, and the East Coast Petroleum Co., was taken. Plaintiff asked for a declaration that Clayton holds 50,000 shares in the New Zealand Oilfield Co. and that he be declared trustee for the plaintiff company on the said shares. Mr Morrison with Mr J. W. Nolan appeared for plaintiff, Mr Lusk for Clayton, Mr Hutchinson in person, and Mr Blair for the company. Evidence was given by plaintiff and Hutchinson and the case was adjourned till next day.—Press Association.

Another Instance of the recognition of the advance Southland is making In the appointment by Messrs Marshall Sons, and Co., Ltd., Gainsborough, England, of Messrs J. E. Watson and Co., Ltd., as their representative for the South Island of Mew Zealand, with headquarters in Invercargill. Hitherto the head office has been situated in Dunedin, where stocks and duplicates have been held, but the business done by the local representatives has warranted the change. Marshall, Sons and Co., Ltd., as nearly everyone knows, are the largest manufacturers in Great Britain of steam, portable, stationary, and traction engines, threshing mills, etc. Over 130,000 engines have been made and supplied, and their catalogue is printed in seven different languages. Locally Marshalls’ are noted for their portable and traction engines and threshing mills. The former are in use In the majority of the Southland sawmills, the latest being one supplied a few weeks ago to Messrs Marshall and Co., of Lady Barkly. A record has been made by J. E. Watson and Co., Ltd., recently in the sale of 5 h.p. Marshall traction engines, engines particularly adapted for chaffcutting work, being light and easy to handle. The first one was supplied some nine months ago to Mr F. J. Saunders, of South Hillend, and since that four others have been sold to Messrs P. A. McDonald. Mclntyre Bros., Kennedy Bros., and O’Shannessy Bros. An 8 h.p. has also been supplied to Mr A. McKerrow, of Waimahaka. In threshing mills, too, the business In Southland has been very good, four sales for this season being made to Messrs Mark Shaw, P. A. McDonald, W. Mcßae, and Denniston. Wo take this opportunity of congratulating Messrs J. B. Watson and Co., Ltd., upon their appointment.

The next monthly stock sale at the Winton saleynrds is to bo held on Friday, April Vth. instead of as usual on tlio Thursday (tho day previous). The alteration of date has beer, made owing to the Thursday being tho second day of the Invercargill races, A first offender, who was found helplessly drunk in tho waiting-room at Elies Rond railway station on Wednesday evening, was yesterday fined 18s and 2b costs by Messrs W. B. Scandrett and W. Todd, J.P.’s. At a J.P.’s Court yesterday, held by Messrs W. B. Scandrett and W. Todd judgment by default was entered for F. w. Gresham v. L. Alsweiler, for £1 3s claim and 7s costs, and for Herbert, Haynes and Co. v. Chas. Gordon (Riversdale) for £5 16s claim and £1 ?7s 6d costs. A Greymouth telegram states that the continued drought is seriously retarding operations at the State mine extension, where, in common with other parts of the West Coast, hardly any rain has been experienced for over two months. At the present time platelaying is In hand, and should shortly reach the terminus of the line. Preparations are now being pushed forward In view of making an early start with the erection of the bridge, which will connect the railway with the mine. This bridge will he of several spans, and being a large undertaking, it will be a couple of months ere it is completed. At the top mine itself two shifts are now r at work in the main heading, and it is probable that another shift will be put on at an early date, so that operations will go on continuously during the 24 hours. Good progress Is also being made with the tunnel works. “Half the lawsuits that come before tho Courts are the result of the carelessness of business men,” declared the Chief Justice at the Wellington Supreme Court on Monday, during the hearing of a case in which it was shown that a building had been proceeded with, but no contract drawn up in writing. His Plonour said that there should have been an agreement in writing. What could have been simpler than to sit down and write a letter in which the terms of the agreement were set out ? All this litigation would thus have been saved, “It’s your own fault entirely,” declared his Honour, addressing counsel for the defendant, who admitted that all the trouble might have been avoided had a proper agreement been drawn up. A great scheme of dock construction and extension is under the consideration of the Port of London Authority, which, it Is estimated, will eventually cost £14,426,700, while the urgent portion of the work, which it is recommended should be placed In hand, at once, will Involve an expenditure of £3,896,700. The urgent work may be summarised as follows ;—£335,000 will be spent in improvements at the London docks, where the net effect will be to increase the usable quayage from 6120 to 8810 lineal feet. The West India Docks will be made suitable for larger vessels than at present at a cost of £960.000. £12,700 will be spent in dry-dock extension at the Millwall Dock, while the construction of a new dock able to accommodate the largest ship afloat is proposed for the South Albert Dock at a cost of £2,339,000. The preliminary work for a new dock at the North Albert Dock should cost £250,000.

A lot of people are afraid to buy a Motor Car, for the simple reason they are afraid of the upkeep being too great. It is the cheap, shoddy Car that a person should be afraid of, not the upkeep. A De Dion, Napier, or Clement Bayard will run for years and cost practically nothing, excepting tyres and fuel. The tyre question is not a serious one if you purchase the 1911 Clement Bayard 11/16 horse-power model, or the S-horse-power De Dion, either of these Cars properly driven will not cost more than a penny per mile for tyres. You can contract with Thomas Stone for one, two or three years for the upkeep of your Car, everything but petrol; so you can soon find out what is to be the cost of your Car’s upkeep. What is more, by purchasing your Car from me you can save 23 per cent, on the purchase. If I sell yo” a Car for £3OO. which other firms ask you £4OO for, it shows clearly that my prices are right. Come and see if I can do It.— STONE’S MOTOR MART. Kelvin street. 2388 JUVENILE CYCLES. Much attention is now being devoted to the development, both physically and mentally of children. The matter is undoubtedly a vital o; and cannot be overlooked by parents to whom their child’s welfare is of supreme importance. No better means of developing the lungs and limbs of children of either sex can be obtained than the cycle. We have several samples of Juvenile Cycles which have been specially built with a view to comfort and safety. Except for size they are just the same as ordinary cycles, and are fitted with freewheel and two brakes, upturned handlebars, pump, tool bag, and tools, mudguards, plated rims, high-grade English tyres, etc. The finish is black, beautifully enamelled, and lined in two colours, while the bright parts are heavily plated on copper. As the machines are special samples, ■ e are offering them at a special price, namely £5 10s; easy terms .can be arranged.—WlLSON, FRASER and CO., Dee street.

SYNOPSIS NEW ADVERTISEMENTS On Page I. Lost —Bag with clothes. Wanted to Rent or Sell—Tea-rooms. Wanted to Purchase an acre of ground. New magazines scent, etc. at Wesney’s Writing material, books, etc., at Lillicrap, McNaughton & Co’s. Rout & Stewart have land and houses for sale. Addition to W. B. Scandrett’s list of houses for sale. T. F. Macdonald has gentleman’s residence for sale. F, H. Tucker has houses and farms for sale. Ou Page 4. For important information about juvenile cycles, Plunkett hood go-carts, Sturgis folding carriages—See Wilson, Fraser’s advt. Funeral of the late Annie Courtis on Friday. Funeral of the late Mary Ann Cavanagh on Saturday. Funeral of the late Oliver Hamilton on Saturday. On Page 6 Fuller’s Pictures to-night. N.Z. Labour Party meets to-night. Athletic Football Club meets to-night. Dr Henry’s address to-day and tonight. J, E. Lowe’s dancing class resumes on April 7th. Department of Lands —Notice re section withdrawn from sale. Southland County Mining property Valuation Roll may be Inspected. Borough of Invercargill—Notice of intention to take land for street. On Page 7. Fishing Tackle at Hyndman’s. On Pago B. J. A. Mitchell & Co. sell horses, etc., to-morrow. Dalgety & Co. —Clearing sale at Bay Road on 27th inst.