ITEMS OF INTEREST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 8941, 16 December 1907, Page 6

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

Many nationalities were represented J in the crew of the wrecked barque Dondonald. The survivors included a Scotchman, two Norwegians, three Englishmen, two Irishmen, a Chilian, two Russians, a German, a South Australian, a New Zealauder aud a Welshman. The unfortunate men who were drowned included natives of Scotland (4), Euglaud (4), Finland, Sweden, Chili and Norway (oue each). Mr Sargesou, of Hawora, who has just returned from a visit to the Old Couutry, left England during the latter 'end of September by a White Star liver, aboard which there was a considerable number of assisted emigrauts. He affirms there is a great laxity wir.li reference to the character of the people assisted, and the cheap passages are obtained by fraud, such as married women travelling as domestic servants, their husbands being ou the same ship. Mr Sargesou quoted other cases which he strougly condemned, and says there should be more discrimination aucl enquiry as to the character of the people assisted. Mr Johu Cooke, head of Johu Cooke aud Compauy, the well-known Australian f'rozeu meat exporters, is on a visit to Christchurch. Speaking to a Press representative regarding the Australian lamb trade, he estimated that the lamb export from Australia will be nearly equal to that of last year. To the end of Novomber, thore were shipped au aggregato of 800,000 lambs as compared with 5(50,000 to the corresponding date of last year. The total shipments last year wore 1,200,000 carcases, and this year thoy were likely to be over 1,100,000. "The quality," he states, "is far from satisfactory, a large proportiou of the lambs being very plaiu aucl light. " Amongst those who signed on the Taluue at Dunedin this weok were three of the crew of the barque Dundonald—John Judge, Johu Pohze, aud H. Waters—who joiued as A.B. 's. The last-named was the first, mau to step ashore from.the jigger yard-arm, after climbing up the rigging,and says that when he jumped ou to the rock he just managed to clutch a small pinacle by oue finger. Had ho missed that slender hold he would doubtless have fallen amongst tho seething breakers below. The men are pleased with their pleasaut prospects (says the Otago Daily Times), aud declare that they have had enough of "windjammers'" and hard fare to last them for a lifetime.

"It will, perhaps, surprise mauy of your readers, as it does me," Mr F. R. Field said to a Lytteltou Times reporter, "to learn that several islands shown upou maps as lying south of New Zealand do uot exist. I might mention Cornwallis Islaud, Emerald Islaud aud JNimrod Islaud." It is supposed that the mariners who reported these islands were deceived by clouds or icebergs, or were mistaken iv regard to their position. It is a rule with the Admiralty to continue to show reported islands aud rocks until their existence has been completely disproved by official aud reliable investigations. The annual bustle is just commencing at the Frimloy Canning Works, aud large quantities of gooseberries aucl green peas are beiug prepared for tho market. Although :30c wt of gooseberries aud over a ton of green peas per day are vow being dealt with at the works, it is anticipated that tho supply will be far short of the Iv tiie orchards there are also signs of great activity, the principal work being thinning out the youug fruit ou the trees, and engaged iv which thirtyeight meu have beeu fully occupied for the last two or three weeks. Some idea will be grasped of the maguitude of the task 'wheu it is kuowu that from oue tree alone 2048 peaches were removed to give the remaining fruit ou the tree a chauce to mature to perfection.