CANTERBURY OSTRICH FEATHERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3736, 22 September 1886, Page 3

CANTERBURY OSTRICH FEATHERS.

» (Christcfoirch Tftsn.) Some little time Wk a description appeared m these columns of tlio ost'ich farm of Mr J. T. llatson, which excited considerable interest, not only m Canterbury, but also m other parts of the colony, having been reproduced m several newspapers. Since that was written Mr fifntson has made his first collection of Cunterbury grown ostrich feathers for shipment to England, where they will bo propared und worked up into the various forms of adornment which delight the hearts of the ladies. The shipment, which will be made through the D.I.C. hero to Messrß Redfern, Alexander and Co., of London, numbers some 2000 prime feathers. Theso include whatnro known as whito long flats, that is, long feathers, which will be made \ip into fans, coronets, &c, grey and black, and grey and white, rich natural feathors, that is of a prey colour, tips prey, black and white, white, and black. Of theso though all are really splendid feathers, exhibiting tho curl of the filaments to the very tip, which is so esteemed by these learned m the trade, thero are some Mack and white feathers m tho consignment .which for beauty of marking and general excellence ivould be hard to beat anywhere. A% showing that the birds improve by acclimatisation, it may be noted that this season's feathers are far superior to those of la«t. The D.I.C. intend competing for bo mo of the feathers, and they will have them made up at Home and sent back hero m various forms. It is impossible, it may bo noted, to have them prepared hero, thero being no appliances for turning them out m euch perfection as at Home. Now that tho colonies are so prominent at Homo no doubt great interest will be felt m tho shipment of the first ostrich feathers sent from New Zealand, more particularly a» tho feathers themselves are of such superior quality.