Colonial Butter in England.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 30 April 1901, Page 3

Colonial Butter in England.

Mr H. C. Cameron, New Zealand Government Inspector of Produce at Home, reports that the total quantity of butter, including Canadian, received into England from Ist September to 28th February was 423,936 cwt, as against 543,465 cwt last year during the same period, a shortage of 119,529 cwt. The quantity of Australian and New Zealand butter lately received, Mr Cameron writes, also showed a considerable decrease from that received last year, the deficiency during the four weeks ending 15th March being 52,633 cwt and 32,347cwfc respectively. The total imports of butter from all sources for the same time had, however, shown an increase of 34,807 cwt, being 322,513 cwt, against 297,726ewt for the same period last year.

It is claimed that the two cables between Australia and New Zealand are now as electrically perfect as the day they were laid. Eecent repairs and renewals will cost the Eastern Extension Company not less than £17,000. A society has been formed by a number of halfcaste ladies, who are the descendants of Ngapuhi chiefs of the north of New Zealand. They call themselves the Ngapuhi sisters of mercy, and are qualifying themselves for nurses in the field, so that if our volunteers are called into active service they may be able to tend the sick and wounded. They arc well mounted, and it is needless to say are all good horsewomen. Their uniform is a khaki, the same as the New Zealand mounted volunteers, with skirts of same colour.

A recent issue of the Spectator pleads for a return to the fashions of our forefathers in the matter of syrups and cordials and different floral foodstuffs. For example, roses were apparently a favourite article of food in the time of our greatgrandmother?, for we find a recipe in an old-time cookery-book for making a "conserve of roses boiled," and in this great stress is laid upon removing all the white ; in the directions for pudding making, also, rosewater is a frequent flavouring. Next to roses, the most popular of flowers seems to have been tho cowslip. The United States War Office (says the Westminister Gazette) is now engaged in a scientific test of the possibility of marching on a small emergency ration. A troop of cavalry is making expeditions which will cover two or three weeks in all, and during this period each man has to depend on a daily ration weighing lib, put up in an elliptical can Sin long. The contents of the can consist of three cakes of sweet choclate and three cakes of a palatable meat and grain compound, which can be eaten uncooked or made into a porridge or soup. The detachment is accompanied by a physician, who will closely observe the condition of the men. They are also to be weighed daily. When the experiment is ended an official report is to be made to Washington, and may be expected to reach our own military authorities in due course—that is to say, about the year 1950. The Waipawa correspondent of the Hawke's Bay'Herald' writes:—l hear that the Government Geologist has>returncd from exploring the rrnges behind Maharahara, in the vicinity of the copper mine, having thoroughly tested the latter. He found arsenic with the copper, and of the latter the specimens showed 40 per cent. Men arc now testing other portions in its vicinity to find the vein of metal. White metal crystals were found in the same locality.