The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1907. THE EWE FLOCK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2204, 7 October 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1907. THE EWE FLOCK.

In reviewing the sheep returns recently we were able to derive some satisfaction from the fact tliat the number now in the Dominion is larger than it has over been, yet there is ample evidence at present that the country is far from being overstocked. Dealing with this aspect of the pastoral position tho “Christchurch Press” takes a similar view, and points out that Canterbury and Otago can easily carry larger numbers than they have at the present time. Our southern contemporary considers the time opportune to warn formers of tlio necessity for retaining a fair proportion of their ewe lambs. As it points out, there is a general approximation of values all over the country, sind sheep cannot be transferred from one part to another at a jirofiit, as was the ease a few years ago. Marlborough and Nelson and Otago- (and Southland formerly supplied Canterbury with thousands of storo sheep ■annually, but it is now stated that tho two northern provinces require all they have, and there are none to come from tho South, seeing that North Otago requires to he largely restocked. The big breeding grounds •in the South Island are gradually being reduced in number by subdivision, and therefore: it becomes imperative that farmers should met more as breeders and less as dealers. Continuing on this point the “Press” says:—“We admit that it is largoly a question of price. If it pays better to ship a ewo lamb rather than keep her, she will undoubtedly go to the works. But it has undoubtedly paid many farmers during tho last few years to keep good ewe lambs, because they found that when they wished to replenish their breeding flock they had to pay a much higher proportionate rate for older ewes. This- was especially the case in the autumn of 1896, when record prices were paid for young ewes. There has undoubtedly been more disposition during the last two or three years to retain ewe lambs, for they are now frequently drafted out from tho wethers. This, however, is not always done till the autumn or winter, after many of tho best have gone to the factory. At the present time owe hoggets aro realising several shillings a head more than wether ■hoggets, and from this time onward tho margin between tho two classes will increase. It means, therefore, that if.a farmer finds lio cunnot fatten all his lambs, it will pay best to retain tlie ewes. But the selection of the ewe lambs should begin earlier, (and every farmer who has lambs, by longwool rams from well-bred, even linos of ewes, should make up his mind to keep a draft of tlie best of them. We hopo to see a still further marked increase in the number of breeding ewes in the country when the next annual returns come ] ,to hand.

Constnblo Kirby, of Levin, is to succoed Constable McLeod at Tolnga Bay.

Tho Hawko’o Bay Education Board advertises a number of vacant toaclxcrships.

A good o ntry for tho trotting events at the Show was rccoived on Saturday by Mr. Porter. Advertisements of interest to intending exhibitors ft-ro inserted ni this issuo by tho A. and P. Association.

On Saturday tho N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Co. consigned 400 sheep for tho Auckland market by the s.s. Victoria.

Southern papers speak very highly of tlie combination which Messrs. Fuller and Sons aro sending to Gisborno next week..

In connection with the proposed school batlis, a meeting of tho committee will be held this ovenmg (to consider means of augmenting tho funds iu hand.

At Mr. Morrell’s, Whataupoko, this evening, a meeting ot tho Utility Poultry Club wall bo hold. r Jho olection of officers is the principal business.

A special mooting of stockowners is to bo held at tho Tolaga Bay Hotel on Saturday next, 12tli inst., after tho sale, to discuss tho project of establishing freezing works at Tolnga Bay.

Revenue received at tho Customs last week was as follows: —.Customs duties £846 17s 9d, beer duty £4O

12s 6d, light dues £l4 9s, shipping dues 14s, Harbor Board revenue £l3l 18s Gd, other receipts £1; total, £1035 11s 9(1.

The following additions have been made to tho Telephone Exchange : 447, Barker Bros., Glenroy Station; 448, J. H. Martin, private residence, Haiti; 449, J. Colley, private residence, Cariiarvon-street; 321, T. Fin so r, jun., Whangara; 441, T. W. Martin, lvaiti.

Captains Fernandez and Cumming have been appointed by the Marine Department to make a survey of the barque Hazel Craig in order to ascertain the extent of the damage. To facilitate the survey, the vessel’s ballast, 200 tons of sand, has had to bo removed.

Tho starting of the Motu-Opotiki mail service lias been unavoidably postponed until to-day. The first mail will bo despatched from Motu at 6 a.m., reaching Opotiki at 7 p.m. It hns also beon found necessary to amend tho former proposed time-table and arrange for mails to leave Motu on Monday and Opotiki on Tuesday, the respective destinations being reached at 7 p.m. on tho days mentioned. It says much for their, enthusiasm in rifle shooting, that a number of tho Rifles persevered at tho range throughout Saturday afternoon’s squalls. Stretched out at the 500yds range—to reach which there is a lot of boggy ground, not yet dry after the winter—they kept up a fusilado, though drenched with rain, and the markors stuck to their post with equal doggedness. It is this spirit that should bo cultivated. Tho Rev. C. Dallaston, of Napier, conducted the services at the Baptist Tabernacle yesterday morning and evening, there being large congregations on both occasions. The preuelier took for his text tho First EpistJ© of John, verses 1 arid 3, in the morning service,'and in the evening sorvico Psalm 36, verses 1 and 6. Mr.. Dallaston, who is visiting Gisborne in the interest of the Baptist Union, to make arrangements for tho carrying - out of its work, is to lecturo on “Eccentric Preachers” this evening at the Tabernacle. There will, be no charge for admission, a collection being taken. Tho “Foil ding Star” says:—A general impression, which the usually well-informed “Evening Post” printed in its notice of the death of Mr James Mackny, Chief Inspector of Faotories, willl have it that tho late Premier Biallanco was a, prominent member of the New Zealand offshoot of tho American order, the Knights of Labor. Mr. Ballance was never

a member of tho order, although ho evinced much interest in it. Tho strongest braineli existed in Palmerston NontJi, and other brandies were organised in tlio North Island by Mr. Fred Pirani. Tlie Knights of Labor, which had several million members in America, did not hit lie popular taste in New Zealand. Tho work of inspecting shearing sheds throughout tho Dominion, undertaken by the Labor Department, is being commenced by Messrs J. Georgeson (inspector in charge at Gisborne), J. P. Lynch (of Milton, formerly secretary of the Agricultural Laborers’ Union and now with tho Department), and Carmody (assistant inspector at Dunedin). ' Mr. Carmody arrived from the South on Saturday morning, and is consulting with Mr. Georgeson as to the allocation of tlio district. Mr. Lynch has started work in the extreme North, and his two colleagues will do the

inspection throughout Poverty' Bay, proceeding in different directions, one working out towards AVairoa and the other towards Taupo. They will also complete Hawke’s Bay district, and the area to be traversed has been so mapped out that tho three

officers meet at AA’anganui to decide on remaining inspections.

Tho national committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association is arranging for a representative conference to be held on October 23rd, 24th, and 25th. Tho secretaries for Australia and Now Zealand will attend, Messrs Lyman L. Pierce, B.Sc. (late General Secretary of the great Association at AA’ashington, U.S.A.) and AVilliam Gillanders, 13. A., one of tho ablest graduates of the University of New Zealand. The national committee has plans designed to make the Association movement a useful agency in Church work, not only in cities blit in country districts as well. It is requested that the pastors, Sunday School superintendents, and other Christian workers in each town unite in sending from ono to three delegates to the conference, which it is desired shall be a gathering of laymen. Information may be obtained from Mr. H. N. Holmes, general secretary, Y.M.C.A., AVollington.

Tho voyage of the Ruapehu from London to Wellington was marked by one of the worst experiences the vessel Iras undergone during her career (says-tho “New Zealand Times”). Fine weather accompanied the Ruapehu as far as Capetown. Soon after leaving Capetown there were ominous signs of approaching heavy weather. After passing the Crozehs, the vessel encountered strong westerly, • northwesterly, and northerly gates, with terrific sea. These conditions continued till off the _ Australian Bight, when i)u astonishing fall in tho barometer was observed, the mercury receding to 27.82. Th.e wind blew w-itli cyclonic force from the .west-north-west, and the sea rose mountains high. The wind veered to the north, and the vessel was compelled to alter her course, and eventually hove-to for five hours. One immense sea toppled on board one afternoon, causing the Ruapehu to quiver from stem to stern. The wave tore some sheep-pens from their lashings and smashed the pens, but the valuable sheep were uninjured. Some of the crow who were working on tho deck were thrown by the sea right on top of the after-deck lioqses. Threo of the men suffered severe bruises and contusions, one of the men having his nose broken. The same sea tore away tho shin's boat which hangs ovei- tho stern, and snapped the davits as though thee* were -carrots. Tho passengers were kept below for fear of being swept- overboard. Excepting tho loss of the boat, and the smashing of the slieep-pens, no serious damage resulted. The captain and officers li/itl ail anxious tune till the gale abated, when the vessel was put on her course again.