NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1782, 29 January 1918, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

The. spread .of blackberry in flax swamps is causing some uneasiness as to the future of the hemp industry. In some places the blackberry is so bad in the swamps that the flaxcutters refuse to go in to cut the flax leaf for the mills. It, will be a serious matter if this evil is allowed to increase, but the eradication of blackberries from ilax swamps will be a very difficult problem to solve in-the future.

Dr (“Chinese”) Morrison, Political Adviser to the Chinese Government, has come to New Zealand to discover if it is a suitable country in which to retire. He has given himself a choice of three, countries — Gippsland, Tasmania, and New Zealand, and judging by his praises during an interview, says the Christchurch Star, his selection will fall on the third. His attention has been turned to New Zealand by Iris wife, who was born here.

At the W. Perry sale of stud sheep at Masterton this week, high prices were realised. Mr Quinton Donald paid 290 guineas for a shearling Romney ram, a record for New Zealand. IV. Raynor paid 250 guineas for a Romney shearling, W, Fi-oJdj of Gisborne, 250 guineas, and R, M, PaHppsoft 200 guineas. Other sales were made at 120, 125, IJO, 190, 160, 130,100, 05, and 90 guineas, In Lincolns, Mr Gaisford paid 170 guineas for a oue shearling. Other prices were 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 65, and 75 guineas.