WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5462, 14 January 1896, Page 2

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

• [from our own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Jan. 13. The General Manager of the Kailways, Mr Ronayne, had just returned here with his mind in a State of ecstasy about the orops in- the South Island. The country from Christchurch to the Biuff he describes in glowing terms. The harvest for every sort of crop, he says, has not' looked so well for many years. The Railway Department, he adds, realising what is before them, are preparing' for a heavy grain traffic. To give some idea of the wort toeing done, Mr Eonayne says that he did not see a single train between Christchurch and the Bluff that was not carrying reapers and binders. Eegarding the Oamaru hailstorm, the accounts of. which have produced such general astonishment, his opinion is that these have not'been" in any way exaggerated. The stones were pear-shaped and they pierced corrugated iron. The Agricultural Department has determined to send out three fruit experts during the 'fruit season, with evaporators to give experimental instructions in fruit drying. Mr Blackmore is the expert: to whom your island is assigned, and he is to start almost immediately. You remember, doubtless, the reports which Mr S. Lowe used to furnish regularly about New Zealand produce in London. This class of report is to be resumed at once, as the Government has cabled to the Agent-General to appoint a suitable man to do them. • There is no Ministerial news except that Mr Ward went south to-day. There have been meetings, but as there are not Ministers enough for a Cabinet quorum nothing has been definitely settled, consequently nothing has transpired.