The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3609, 26 April 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1886.

Statistics are regarded by many as dry literature, but notwithstanding, they are both necessary and useful for a variety of purposes. Without statistical returns, the affairs of nations could not be carried on accurately and systematically. From political, commercial, financial, and domestic pointß of view, statistics may be looked upon as national stocktaking upon which very important issues depend. In the present age statistical information has been brought to a standard of perfection that has not characterised any past period of the world's history, and it is likely that greater improvement m this direction will yet be attained. Nations ai'e generally undergoing marvellous changes for the better, and what future progress and invention may accomplish has not been hitherto anticipated. New Zealand is quite abreast of the times m statistical matters, more so, indeed, than any of the older colonies of Australia. It stands next m this respect to the Dominion of Canada, which is the foremost of the British dependencies m almost everything appertaining to the advancement of a great country. We published m our issue of Wednesday last the agricultural statistics of South Canterbury, compiled up to last month, and now proceed to review them. The returns include those for the Counties of Mackenzie, Geraldine, and Waimate, and supply an account of land m cultivation and the agricultural produce thereof. There is one return imaging, that of the Otipua Ward of the Levels Riding, which we shall publish when it reaches us. A comparative table giving the grand total of cultivated land and produce for the last seven years is appended to the returns, and at a glance the increase and decrease m the yield of the cereal and root crops are perceived. Owing to the falling off m price coupled with the effects of droughts and other causes, there is a marked decrease m the production of wheat for last year, the total yield being 753,456 buahels, whereas m 1885 the yield was 1,185,568, m 1884 1,655,270, m 1883 1,707,549, m 1882 1,554,813, m 1881 1,483,249, and m 1880 —the most prosperous of the seven year5 —1,779,445 bushels. Thus it will be seen that the decrease of the wheat produce of last year, as compared to that of 1880, is not less than 1,025,989 busbela for the Counties named. Last year the Mackenzie County produced 35,780, the Geraldine 437,988, and the Waimate 265,688 bushels of wheat, making a total of 739,456. In the Mackenzie and Waimate Counties less wheat has been grown of late years than formerly, pastoral being found to be more profitable than agricultural pursuits. Geraldine takes the lead m wheat growing, and may be said to be the backbone of South Canterbury m that respect. The wheat it produces is excellent, and commands the best prices m the market. The number of acres under grain, including wheat, oats and barley, m the Mackenzie country, is 3297 acres, which is the smallest acreage of the three Counties. In Geraldine there arc 35,440, and m Waimate 28,402 acres under the same crops, making a total acreage for these Counties of 67,141. In potatoes the Mackenzie produced 156, Geraldine 2901, and Waimate 1150 tons, total 4207 tons. Considering the fertility of the soil m many parts of those Counties and its adaptation forpotatoes, theyieldof this root crop might, we think, be much greater, although last year's produce is slightly m excess of that of 1885, 1884 and 1881. There is a considerable decrease m the number of acres sown with potatoes last year, as compared to previous years. In 1882, the potatoe acreage stood at 1283 —the largest quantity of ground devoted to that crop since 1883 —whilst the total for last year stands at 982 acres. There is a gratifying increase ia the production of green food, the Geraldine having produced 1656, Waimate 938, and Mackenzie 1092 tons last year, total 3686 tons, the highest yet reached. The number of acres under grass last year, m South Canterbury, was 374,169, being a slight increase on the extent of 1885, and a decrease on that of 1884. To the raising of rye, peas.and beans, mangold, beet, carrota, turnips, and onions 50,713 acres are now under these crops, 49,750 of which being absorbed by the turnip crop alone. This is owing to the large extent to which that root crop is grown for feeding andfattening stock. The total number of acres under crop, including sown grasses m the three counties is 498,006, being an increase on all the six previous years. Witb6uch an enormous areaof arable land and with such excellent farmers as there are m our respective districts, South Canterbury is, doubtless, designed to become the garden of New Zealand. It has already attained no small fame m the production of cereal crops, of the best description, aud its agriculturists are highly spoken of everywhere. There are 49 freeholds m the Mackenzie, 546 m Geraldine, and 274 m Waimate ; total, 869; being a decrease on the number of 1885 of 185. This, no doubt, arises from some of the freeholds having been sold and but comparatively few new ones purchased. The rented, and partly freehold and partly rented, number 1903, being a small decrease on those of previous years. The quantity of last i year's crop remaining on hand when the returns were filled up comprised 19,029 bushels wheat, 54,352 bushels oatß, and 2736 bushels barley. Taking a general view of the statistics, it is very gratifying to find that South Canterbury is not retrogading, but, on jthe contrary, making steady progress m various directions. Our land is good, our farmers are, with some exceptions, skilful and energetic, and although they have had adverse circumstances to contend with during the past few years, they will yet be able to } surmount these difficulties and prosper. The agricultural statistics are well classified, and the particulars they record are worthy of the attention of all who take an interest m the advancement and well being of this part of the colony. • ■

A concert; m aid of the Roman Catholic sohool funds -will be held m the school room thia evening. As the programme is a long and varied one, tvo hope to hear of a good house. The nominations and acceptances for the all-aged and puppy Btake» of the first meeting of the Ashhurton Coursing Club -will close to-morrow at the Central Hotel at 8 p.m., ■when the draw will tale place. The Bandß of Hope Industrial Exhibition opeDS this afternoon, at 2 o'clock, when Mr Turnbull, M.H.8., will deliver the opening address. The exhibits number nearly 300, many of which ore well worthy of inspection. The excursion train to Oamaru was very largely patronised on Saturday, despite the fact that the day was anything but a general holiday. It is a great pity another train is not laid on to-day ; had there been one it would to our mind have also been taken full advantage of. There will be rather a long list of cases to be laid before the Bench this morning, no fewer than seven individuals having been arrested for various offences on Saturday and yesterday. The offences principally are drunkenness, resisting the police, and using obscene language. ' A bazaar and gift auction m connection with the Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Point, will be held m the Aetembly Booms to-day, The auction sale of live stock will take place at 2 p.m. As the object of the bazaar is to augment the manse fund, wo hope to hear of a good business being done. On Wednesday evening the Timaru Borough Council will hold a meeting at eight o'clock, m order to consider objections to the burgeßS roll for the ensuing year. To-day being Easter Monday, the ordinary meeting of the Council will not be held this evening. A narrow escape from a severe, if not fatal accident, was experienced at Waimate on Friday evening. A boy was riding a horse towards the railway station, when the animal suddenly reared and fell back, fortunately just clear of the boy. Tho horse struggled up again, and after going a few yards fell down dead. The rider was totally unhurt. A special meeting of the Oeraldine Town Board was held at their offices on Thursday evening, for the purpose of ratifying a previous resolution of the Board to strike a rate of Is m the £. There were present Messrs R. H. Pearpoint (chairman), J. Mundell, W. Maslin, J. Huffey, N. Dunlop, and R. Taylor. Measra Dunlop and Taylor were of opinion that the rate was too high, but it was, however, decided on the motion of Mr Maslin, seconded by Mr Mundell — " That tho resolution passed at the previous meeting of tho Board be confirmed." The Board then rose. " Lost, stolen, or strayed ?" Intelligence was received m Geraldine on Saturday to the effect that Mr W. U. Slack had a few days ago loßt 200 sheep from his placo at Woodaido, Pleasant Valley. It was also reported that Mr Lysaght, of Pleasant Valley, had on Tuesday last eighteen bags of oats taken from a stack on his property. Tho marks of dray wheels wero seen close to the taken from which the oaU wero Btolon, but up to Saturday evening no clue had been found as to who was the perpetrator of the robbery. Constable Fitzpatrick, who ha 3 been stationed m Waimato for tho past seven years, and has during that (imo consistently maintained tho high character he brought thither, is to leave for Nelson on Tuesday. He applied for a change m the hope that the milder climate of the Nelson district may be beneficial to his health. The residents of Waitnato, to mark their high appreciation of his good qualities both as a man and a policeman, have subscribed together and will present him with an illuminated address and a purse as a token of their esteom beforo he leaves. A curious accident happened m Oamaru on Saturday afternoon, while the naval engagement wa3 going on. Mr S. Newey, of Oamaru, had driven down to tho wharf at which lay the ship Dunedin, and getting out of the trap, he left the horse and it m charge of a boy. The roar of the cannon, however, proved too much for tho horse, and it bolted, making straight for tho steamers' wharf. On reaching this it turned and made down it, and just beforo reaching the end two men succeeded m stopping it, and thus saved it from plunging with the trap into the harbour. The horse and trap wero but little the worse for the mishap. Most of the visitors to Oamaru on Saturday were struck with wonder on looking at and watching the torpedo boat that took such a prominent part m the naval engagement. To show what tho boat could do Captain Goldio beforo the engagement commenced took a spin across and around the harbour. Tho speed the boat was driven at was tremendous, being fully 174 knots per hour, and tho easy way ehe was handled, turning m a space almost her own length, filled onlookers with amazement. The boat is painted a rather light Blate colour, and should provo an object hard to make out m dirty, foggy weather or at night time. A good many parlies from Timaru, Temuka, and Geraldino have, during the lost few days, been oat hare shooting to the north of Timaru. Generally they have secured very fair bags more especially m the district about Geraldine, but hares seem to have lain very close during the last day or two. One party of sportsmen who left Timaru by the morning train on Saturday, and had a day's shooting close to the/Orari bagged the very respectable number /of 40 hares, but thanks to the fates had to leave them behind them. From the Orari it appears they took a trap for the field of action, but unfortunately for them when they were returning, and m the middle of the Orari rivor, tho traces broke and the horse left them. Nothing was then left but to jump out into the water and take to dry land their guns and such tilings as they could carry, and leavo the hares and trap m tho river till such time aa they could bo got out. A concert was held m the schoolroom, Fairlio Creek, on Thursday night last m aid of the funds of the Fairlie Creek Athletic Club. Thero was a modernte attendance The concert was opened with a pianoforte duet, played by tho Misses Smith. Songs were given by Mr E. P. Hamilton, Mr S. Bond, Mr M. S. Black, and Mr J. E. Goodwin. A recitation by Mr J. Cochrane and a reading by Mr A. MoLean were well reoeived. Miss Ferguson, Miss Spoid, and the Misses Smith contributed m no Blight degree to the success of the concert by their excellent singing. Mr Black was encored for his hunting aong with chorus, as was also Mr Goodwin for the capital manner he sang "Ten Thousand Mile 3 Away." Mr G. J. Hamilton made quite a hit with Mb comic German eong, an imperative encore being demanded, which was well dejervod, it being certainly the best song of the evening. The singing of " Auld tang Syne " by the performers brought the concert to a close. .

The races m connection with the Woodbury Jockey Club will be held on the racecourse at i Woodbury to-day. Sport promises to be very good indeed. John. Oarmichacl was fined 10s at the Resident Magistrate's Court, on Saturday morning for drunkenness. His Worship the Mayor presided. The Wellington Times states that the Government will charge themselves with the future of young Ward, son of Torpedo-in-structor Ward, who was drowned at the wreck of the Taiaroa. Many and justifiable complaints are constantly being made respecting the state of the approach to the Waimate railway station. The unfortunate individual who has business at the station has the option of walking ankle deep m graea and tussock. An asphalted or gravelled side walk ia much needed, and there is some talk of requisitioning the member to move Government m the matter. A rifle matoh between teams of ten men a side is to be fired off between the Bcmgiora Biflo Club and the South Canterbury Bifle Club, at the Otipua riflo range to-morrow morning. The local team will be choßen from among tho following :—Messrs Godby, Bower, Miles, Lindsay, Bowley, Henderson, Macphorspn, Dow, Struthers, Tregenza, Blake, Jones and Camoron. As the Bangiora men do not arrive here till the last train tonight, the exact hour has not yet been fixed at which the match shall commence. It will be duly notified by advertisement. It is to hoped the weather will prove enjoyable. We may add that the visitors will fire with Snider rifles, and the local men with DeeloyEdgo rifles. Ambition is tke characteristic of the Waimate Brigade Salvation Army. Not content with their Btrident trombone the band has been augmented to the extent of a huge drum and a wheezy cornet. At present the bandsmen are more distinguished for zeal m practice than for efficiency m execution, and their rehearsals are, to the unregenerate, anything but calculated to soothe the savage brenst. As the barracks are under the same roof as the borough offices, the members of tho council experience the full benefit of the army's soul-stirring strains. On Monday evening, for instance, during the entire session of the council, the band witk daring disregard of time and tune, but with a praiseworthy persistence worthy of a better cause, tortured one well-known comic air, doubtless destined to lead the array on to victory, if it does not first drive them insane. The wind instruments were not altogether successful, but the drum came m with grand effect, pointing a period to councillors' orations. During the official inquiry into the wreck of the Taiaroa. there was a little confusion as to the meaning of the word " rowlocks." Mr Stratford, 8.M., who was formerly an officer m both the Boyal and mercantile navicß, explained yesterday that what were termed '■ rowlocks " by the witnesses should, properly speaking, be called " crutches." He further explained that the "rowlocks" were permanently let into the boats.