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Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 30 September 1912, Page 6

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EARLY NATIVE FLOWERS. INDICATES A WARM, DRY SUMMER. A MAORI'S PROPHECY. CHELTENHAM BUTTER OUTPUT. ! JOCKEY HAVING A BAD TIME. THE WAITUNA ACCIDENT. COST OF A "WOOL SHIPMENT. APITI AND A DRILL HALL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FEILDING, Sent. 29. Native flowers which are earliest this year are the kowhai and clematis, and a Maori, in commenting on the early appearance of the flowers, says that it is going to be a warm, dry summer. On being asked why, he replied, "The flowers are so early; whenever you see the flowers early you see the dry summer." Maoris are very observant of signs and seasons, and it would be just as well for farmers to make preparation by planting out maize. The bad weather lately experienced has had a bad effect on the dairying, and all factories report a reduced output, though more butter is being manufactured than was the case at this time last year. The Cheltenham Dairy Co. is producing about 10 boxes per day, and the prospect for the coming season is exceedingly bright. The number of suppliers has been augmented, and the home separation scheme recently initiated is giving every satisfaction. >

Tho jockey, T. Pritchard, who had his leg broken during the Easter meeting at Feilding, is having rather a bad time. The leg had to be broken and reset, and his medical attendant now finds it necessary to put the limb in steel splints.

Mr. E. Pearson, who sustained serious injuries as the result of a collision with a motor-car at Waituna last week, is still in a precarious condition.

Tho cost of shipping wool home to England has been worked out by Mr. W. Reid, tho well-known flqekmaster of Makino, who has just received advices of the results of the July wool sales in London.' Mr. Reid sent Home eight bales, the whole of which, with the exception of one bale, being lambs' wool, and tho charges worked out 1 l-Bd. per Ib. from Feilding station to tho Homo market. Mr. Reid received Is. per lb. Mr. Reid has some splendid samples of wool, which he clipped three years ago, one sample being hard to beat.

At Apiti recently an application was made to the Defence Department for a grant of £175 towards the cost of erecting a Drill Hall on tho Domain. Advico has now been received that the sum has been granted by the Departnient, and the various local institutions interested aro now to find £100 to entitlo them to the Government grant. Meetings are. being held, and already a sum of £50 has been promised, and there- appears to be no doubt about the remainder being forthcoming.