A MARKET FOR OATS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1228, 24 March 1880, Page 3

A MARKET FOR OATS.

Tl> THE EDITOR OP THE OAMAP.C MAIL. Sj tßr —l notice a paragraph in one of the papers that there is likely to be a good market for oats at Chili and other South American ports. It is a somewhat uncertain and unsatisfactory plan to consign produce for sale at places so distant from our shores, experience of past years deterring merchants from sach speculations. But it aeein3 a pity that no effort should be pat forth to find an outlet for the large surplus of oats that is known to be in this Colony. I make a suggestion that, if insisted upon, would at least prove if dependence could be made on these ports for absorbing a quantity of that grain which is likely to be a glut in our usual markets. Suppose an individual merchant or speculator, or what would be perhaps better still, two or three holders of oats were to charter a yessel to carry a cargo of oats, and employ an enterprising and intelligent man to go with her as supercargo, a testing trial vould be ensured as to the feasibility of opening up a continuous trade in that direction, even if not much profit were made out of the transaction, or worse still, if there should be a loss ; in either case it would be satisfactory to know the result. The endeavor to promote the prosperity of the agricultural community i 3 the bounden duty of everyone, for the welfare of the Colony is in a great degree dependent on the profitable conduct of the agricultural industry. have no direct interest in the subject, jut I do like to see the " springs of industry" kept in motion, and there is danger of their being stopped, to the injury of every colonist if our merchants do not step out from Iheir ordinary Sluggish Roctisil

TO THE EDITOR OF THE OAJIARC MAIL. see from your contemporary that the editor has been amusing himself •with the Oamaru School Committee. His version of the matter is " surely the sweetest possible thing of its kind._ Up to this point there is very little in the article one way or another. But when he begins the "trotting out" business, then I object to his remarks a3 being wholly uncalled for, and in the highest degree rude and disrespectful. There is an old proverb which says " Answer not a fool according to his folly,' but the writer in the same breath says, " Answer a fool according to his folly lest he be wiser in hi 3 own conceit." You will perceive that the writer of these proverbs had two kinds of fools in his eye. I wfll leave it to the public to decide as to which class the editor belongs. Think, why are horses trotted out at fairs I 13 it not to judge of certain points which cannot be known in any other wayl Style in a horse i 3 something ; action tells for or against. One likes high action, another medium action, while a third prefers a "daisy cutter." Temper can also be judged through the trotting out process. Is it likely the buyer of a horse at a fair would be satisfied by the certihcate of the owner's neighbor 1 Is it les3 likely that the buyer would be satisfied with the report of an interested party i I ask for a reply to these queries. Of course these are "homely notions of business, but they answer my purpose at present. . Could"the Times say, "from the means placed at his disposal by modern science," that the " animal" wa3 sound m wind and limb, free from vice, and a good mover £ Could it tell that the " ammal was not curby, sprained, contracted, nor I Could it say that the u animal tT was not broken-kneed, broken•winded, or a ring-tailed roarer ? No, sir. The only animals that I know look well by " using the means placed at disposal by modem science" are the donkey and the editor of the North Otago Times. I chanced one day to walk into the studio of one of the great artists of this " modern science," when to my delight I sa w my noble creature the editor. I took a good look at thi3 work of " modern science, and contrasted the photograph before me with the idea of the original in my bnun. After I give you a description of the noble ■work of art and of the one that adorns the sanctum of the great Buster. I think even the Times will be able to say which is the tetter hoss. . . ( , . I have a notion that the arti3t worships this "animal." I think thi3 from the colloquy that took place. " Look, said the artist, "at that head I I looked and saw that the " forepikle" was parted in the centre, to show that the head was evenly balanced (for, no doubt, you will have heard reports to the contrary). In the words of the poet —

ggfcold a doable charm, whose potent A(idf 0 a %etr grace to Beauty's choicest ' dower. These beautiful and appropriate lines are a present to Professor Barry, and as the Times might require them for some future adornment I quote in foil. this time the artist was bursting to show me something' more. I looked meeklv at that great man, and he began, "Look: at that lofty forehead. There's the face of an any el." " W here," said I. '* Good heavens," said the artist, " does that face not remind you of Gabriel I " Which Gabriel," said I, " I only knowone u£ that name, and his surname !3 Grubby" " Grubb I" aaid the artist in disdain, " have you formed no conception of the Archangel Gabriel V " No," said I, " I have no idea of even a common angel, and have no acquaintance with any Gabriel except Grobb, and he was a grave digger." That artist tamed from me with such a look on his heavenly countenance that even the archangel might envy. When left alone I took a leiaurely survey of thi3 work of " modern science," and saw the beautiful set neck, the square shoulders, the "outheaved breast, the well turned limbs, and, iu the words of Shakspeaxe, I said to myself, " Well, no w, there's a man, take htm for all in ail, when shall we look on such another!!!" So much for the work of "modern science!" now for the live animal. Wo

will follow the precedent given by the] Times, and trot out the editor. I am not a " horsey" party, and do not admire " horsey" phraseology. Trot out indeed ! What would the editor of the Times think of thiß description of a very intimate acquaintance of his :—Head rather long, ears out of proportion, narrow between the eyes, muzzle thin, ewenecked, shoulder low, narrow in the chest, action proppy, forward in the knees, heavy in the heel, flat in the sole, coat scraggy." Now, then, if you were applyiug "for a situation would you " use the means placed at your disposal by modem science," or would you present the original 1 If you are afraid to answer you can draw any inference. Trotting ont is not always favorable to tlieanimal; it is sometimes a little rough on it. But no one who is what he or she professes to be has reason to be afraid of the operation.

I think I have now shown to every reasonable reader that the article in question was proof of the wisdom of the "trotting out." Men of business will look at affairs in a business way. No matter how loudly the Times may bray. As far as can be learned at present, the School Committee may feel satisfied with the position they took up respecting the appointment of a matron for the High School. In conclusion, Mr. Editor of the Time 3, a bit of advice. Do not become more overweeningly self-opinionated because the artist likened your picture to the Archangel Gabriel. He evidently not been favored with the sight of an angel of even lower degree. Conduct the paper of which you have the literary charge with a view to educating the public bj degrees. I for one cannot swallow your advanced notions without a little preparation. We may owe your valuable presence in Oamaru to the adoption of " the means placed at your disposal by modern science," but I do not know that your presence is any argument in favor of such modern scientific notions. Trotter-out.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE OA3IAP.t7 MAIL. J-ik, —The Livingstone-Windsor railway works were stopped on the 21st February last by order of the Government. The consequence was that there were about 50 or GO men thrown out of employment, and are, in addition to many others, out of employment yet. The fanners and squatters •were fully supplied with labor at that time, and not one of us has worked one week on an average since, so that the little money we had is spent. It is tnie that the wages we made on the above works was small, yet it was about sufficient to keep that monster called hunger from the door. Mr. Editor, what we want is that you might use your influence with the local member or the Government, so that the works might be started again. By yonr doing so, and inserting this, you will greatly oblige a number of poor "married men with wives and families. A Working Mas. Windsor, March 23rd, ISSO.