SOOTH WESTLAND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1917, Page 4

SOOTH WESTLAND NOTES.

(From an Occasional Correspondent.)

PURE URED STOCK. The'last week or so lias been eventful in shipping records. The G.S. ll.inem.oa, made one ot her periodical trips to the lighthouses, calling at Jacksons and Bruce Bays. She had a light freight, list in the general cargo •line, bnt she had ft valuable one from a£s. d. point of view. At Jacksons Bay two pure bred young bulls (Hereford) were landed, and a pure bred heifer for Cron Bros, Haast, also three pure bred Hereford bulls were landed for Nolan Bros.

At 4 Bruce Bay, two pure bred Hereford young bulls were landed for Sullivan Bros, Welieka, all from late .James Holmes’ , Waimahaka estate These stud Hereford cattle have a fine reputation now in the far south.

Ai;i;im.TUUAi. Time. A quantity of lime was also landed. A settler enquired from the Minister for Int-rnftl Affairs if the liinemoa would he allowed to carry lime (agricultural) for half freight, viz., £1 jier ton, for potato growing, and he readily agreed. Mr W. Harris, Fields Inspector, Ohaknno, in the Agricultural Journal supplies some particulars regarding a means of controlling blight by dusting the plants with fresh lime. If this method is adapted and proves effective, the lime will answer the dual purpose, viz., by producing more potatoes and at the same time protecting, them from the ravages of the blight.

THE .SURE lIOAT. The Hinemoa, also brought round a splendid surf boat supplied by the Government for the use of the settlers in shipping wool and landing goods. A boat shed lias been erected by the settlers. The Hokitika Shipping Company supplied the material gtatis. It is good to see such a spirit of cooperation —a little more of it would do no harm in South Westland.

Sllll’l’lS’ti RECORD. A singular coincident, happened at Bruce Bay when the local boat Jane and the Hinemoa arrived the same day. Unfortunately the wind shifted to the north Avilli a considerable sea making, and all the Jane could do was to land her timber cargo and clear out for Jacksons Bay for shelter. The Hinemoa, with‘.her excellent equipment, for landing goods, soon got clear of her small cargo and sidled for Westport.

THE JANE’S .MISHAI-

A couple of days afterwards, the weather moderating, the Jane again arrived, bnt the sea was still- rough, and the new surf boat was. brought into requisition, when they landed all her cargo excepting about 1J tons. Next morning the wind again chopped"round to the north, which obliged her to again run south for shelter, and in attempting to enter the Ofcnrn she got on the spit which has proved to'be her Waterloo, as she has become a total wreck.

Much sympathy is felt for Captain Vasta, who has won golden.opinions from the settlers. The engineer also deserves credit for the excellent way he lias managed the engines since he took charge. Both captain and engineer deserved better luck.

It was most fortunate for the consigners that the surf boat, was on hand, otherwise the whole of the Jane’s cargo in all probability would have been on board when she got stranded. Therefore, bad as ,t!ie position is, it could have been a great deal worse, and in this connection, all concerned have . something to be thankful for.