OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 908, 28 April 1871, Page 4

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

(From the Otago Daily Times.') The Mount Ida Chronicle states that coal of superior quality has been discovered within ono mile of Eden Creek. Khould this coal turn out as good as expected, it cannot fail to be productive of the greatest advantage to Naseby. We notice that on establishment for the sale of Adelaide wines has been opened in Princes street, by Messrs Darling and Co. The consumption of Australian wines in Dunedin has hitherto been very small, principally because they are so little known, the consumption being much larger in other towns in the colony, where they have been more prominently brought under public notice. Now that this is changed, however, it is to be hoped that these light and wholesome wines will speedily find as much favour in Dunedin as they have done in Cbristchurch Auckland, and other places. We understand that specimens of totara, blue gum, and red pine, from wood which has been under water during the last eight years, and removed in order to allow of the extension to the Rattray street Jetty being made, are to be forwarded to the Government offices, and possibly to the Museum. Of these woods the totara has stood the test far better than either of the other two, as it looks in the centre of the specimen as fresh as wood does when abouc to be driven down for piles, and bears hardly a aign of wear on the outer edge. The other specimens, on the contrary, have throughout a Bodded appearance, and are far more decayed in the part exposed to the water. From a letter received by the curator of I the Invercargill Acclimatisation Society from |Mr George Dundas, the Southland News learns that the young trout, sent up to a stream on that gencleman's run, in January, 1870, have thriven excellently. In removing the flsh from the pond in which they had hitherto been kept to more roomy waters, Mr Dundas found the whole of them aliv , save one, and with one exception they bad grown apace, their average dimensions and weight being 10 inches in length, 6 in girth, atod halt a pound. Three of them, tested with tape and scales, gave proportions considerably in excess of the average stated. Considering that the fish are only 18 mouths old, Mr Dundas' opinion that •• the result is highly satisfactory," will no doubt be endorsed by all who take an interest in the stocking of our rivers and streams with edible fish. We understand that Mr A. J. Burns when in Scotland recently, with the view of ascertaining the cost of a comp ete " system " of machinery for the manufacture of New Zealand Aax into bagging and other coaree fabrics, placed himself in communication

with Messrs Pearce Brothers, the well-known engine-builders and machine makers in Dundee. Having considerable experience in the manufacture of machinery for spinning jute, the firm furnished Mr Burns with an estimate of the smallest " system " for that purpose. This they state would cost £2182, delivered in Glasgow, and would weigh 64 tons. £500, however, in addition, would have to be expended in necessary furnishings, such as driving belts, bobbins, reeds, combs, shuttles, driving bands, and pickers. An engine of 15 horse-power would be requisite if this " system " were driven by itself. The cost of a suitable engine and boiler would amount to £440 in addition. Messrs Pearce estimate that this " system " would produce 1466 yards of sacking per day of eleven hours of actual work, or 8666, yards per week of 65 working hours. In a letter sent to Mr Burns prior to his departure from Scotland, they state that they desire to mention, iv justice to any machinery which hereafter may be sent to New Zealand for spinning ami weaving the Phormium tenax, that spinners in Dundee have found it a very difficult material to deal with. Our Green Island correspondent has forj warded to town a few of the so-called herring, which were cist ashore a week or two ago. They have been cured in the same way as in Scotland, and consequently being without the head, the specimens are valueless to a great extent for scientific purposes. The fish, however, is beyond a doubt one of the Clupidce, and being gregarious in its habits, it will prove to be of considerable value if it become a regular visitor to our shores. Our correspondent has furnished us with some further particulars respecting the shoal which was seen off Green Island in the beginning of the month. He says that on that occasion the shoal was migrating southwards along the coast. He has ascertained that every year they visit that particular part of the coast in the months of February and March ; and, he adds, if large boats were provided with nets with the suitable meshes, thousands of tons could be caught. The shoal exten led as far as the eye could see, followed by a multitude of gulls, mutton birds, barracouta, and porpoises. So closely packed were they, that by dipping a pitcher in the sea, it would contain half fish. Desirous of ascertaining a reliable opinion upon the subject, he waited upon one of the most experienced fishermen in the province, a man who had been brought up to the salmon and herring fishing from boyhood, and at first sight he at once pronounced them herrings. He stated that thousands of barrels are caught every year in Scotland the same size as those submitted, and are sent cured to foreign markets. He minutely described the habits of the herring at home, and had known or been of opinion that herring existed on these shores, having paid particular attention to the evolutions of the sea gulls. There are, he stotes, without a doubt, between the Heads and Stewart Island, bankß where these herrings are spanned, and he is confident that if competent men were sent to explore, thpy would find the full-grown fish. Our correspondent adds, that having tasted the fish, he had no hesitation in saying that it is the true I herring. __