Interprovincial

New Zealand Tablet, 21 January 1915, Page 36

Interprovincial

One Waimate raspberry-grower has 30 pickers at work at the present time. The reports (says the Advertiser ) are that the crops are good. The strawberries, however, have not received the samt> degree of benefit from the recent rains. ° Owing to the fine growth of grass and the splendid condition of the country generally in the Forty Mile Bush graziers in the Wairarapa drought areas are arranging to feed their stock there. Dairymen are having a very good season, contrasted with other districts.

Between 20 and 30 Wellington women and girls have been despatched to Nelson by the Department of Labor to engage in fruit-picking (says the Dominion). A few days ago it seemed that the demand for fruitpickers was satisfied, but subsequently fresh inquiries came to hand from the Nelson district, and the department is now receiving applications from others desirous of taking employment in this branch of the fruit industry. Only women and girls arc wanted for the work.

It was reported at the meeting of the council of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society (says the Timaru Hr raid) that quinnat salmon are being freely caught in Caroline Bay, and from the wharves in. Timaru. It was explained by several members of tho council that fishermen did not catch the salmon purposely, but that they are caught when the line is thrown out for other fish. The council decided to seek the opinion, of their solicitor as to the legality of catching the quinnat in this way. “ °

The drought in the Tikokino district, Hawke’s Bay, is the worst known since 1878 (says the correspondent of the Hatrie s Hay Herald). In the drying pools, where the creek was running, thousands of young trout hatched this season may be seen dying and dead. Weasels are increasing rapidly. Rabbits are also becoming more numerous this dry season, which is favorable for their increase. Farmers who arc short of feed are selling their stock at a reduced price, as fat but not prime, and therefore cannot participate in the high prices current.

When Mr. Ayson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, was in Kaikoura recently, he saw some very fine brill, exceeding in size like fish caught in most waters of the Dominion (says the Christchurch Pres*). For quality the hapuka and other fish abounding hereabouts are unsurpassed in New Zealand. One of the most pleasing things to Mr. Ayson in connection with the marine fishing industry of Kaikoura is flic splendid class of men engaged in it. In the Chief Inspector’s opinion the men will hold their own with the very best in the country. The majority are New Zealanders by birth, but a good proportion gained experience in English, American, and other northern waters.

The details of the approved suggestions for sending fruit to the New Zealanders at the front were discussed at a committee meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association, and the following arrangements were made:—(l) A first consignment will leave towards the end of this month, a second in February, and a third in March : (2) Gravenstcins are now ready, and are suitable for this early consignment. These may be delivered at once, and will be held free of charge in cool store, pending shipment; (3) all fruit will bo inspected by Mr. Campbell, and will be packed free *of charge, either by the Hawke’s Bay Fruit, Produce, and Cool Storage Company (Ltd.), or by Messrs. Apsey, White, and Co. ; (4) the Government is paying all expenses from Hastings to the destination.

In response to representations the Prime Minister has arranged for the Kaiapoi to call at Oamaru with a supply of Australian wheat for local millers (says the Mail). The wheat shortage is acute in North Otago, and already some of tho millers were counting the days until they would be forced to close down. The advent ©f the Australian wheat has therefore saved the situation, The importation of wheat to Oamaru savours

very much of such an. absurdity as carrying coals to Newcastle. The position is unique in the history of the development of the district. In the early days the rule was to export large quantities. of flour to Australian ports. It is not yet clear when the Kaiapoi’s arrival can be looked for, as her departure from Australia is complicated by the action taken by the Commonwealth to restrain New South Wales from exporting wheat.

In view of the fact that there is likely to be a considerable shortage of wheat during the year, a deputation of southern flourmillers waited on the Prime Minister on Tuesday in order to ascertain what is to be the policy of the Government. The deputation suggested that the Government should import wheat and fill the requirements of millers, who would use all local supplies available. The millers, it was stated, were anxious to keep the supply of flour to bakers and householders, and , prevent exploitation figures being reached. The deputation, which was heard in private, was sympathetically met by Mr. Massey, who later said to a reporter: We are not going to allow the millers to sell at any price they like. There must be an agreement between them and the Government. Wc haven’t had a word from Australia about the Kaiapoi’s shipment. I sent another urgent telegram on the subject las), night.’

The Hon. R. 11. Rhodes (Postmaster-General) officially visited Kimboltou on Tuesday and opened the new post office and public hall. He was entertained at luncheon by the Chamber of Commerce. Speaking at the opening, Mr. Rhodes said the postal was a progressive department. They had established rural delivery in country districts, and a§ they had found motor cycles too expensive they were going to get motor cars. Telephones were being run wherever useful throughout the country where settlers showed a desire for them. Parcels post rates had been reduced by 25 per cent., and the maximum weight carried increased to 281 b. For the year ended December 31 the Savings Bank had made a record. In 1907 the deposits exceeded the withdrawals by £1,228,000; in 1914 the deposits exceeded the withdrawals by £1,323,000. Of the postal staff 205 had gone to the war, and the department officers had donated over £3OOO to the patriotic and relief funds.

For the third time within a few months the printer of the Stratford Post has had practical demonstration of the fact that tho worker the world over has much in common. From Canada, where the rolls of paper for the printing machine come from, have arrived as enclosures with the paper three articles in different consignments, these being a piece of cheese, tobacco, and a potato. However, the first two articles were not of such a nature that they might be easily kept and regarded with a sort of ‘ hands-across-the-sea ’ feeling, especially in a printing office, but the latest arrival, the potato, quite easily lent itself to the perpetuation of sentiment, yet the form which this took will be admitted to be of the practical rather than of the sentimental kind. The potato is now actively engaged in parting the daisies in tho Fust's backyard, and the amateur gardeners on the staff are looking interestingly forward to tho time when they will be able to continue in their own home-plots tho propagation of this particular species of tuber which has found a resting-place so far frhomo. Should the species prove to bo blight-resisting, sentiment will bo doubly rewarded.