LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 25 August 1909, Page 20

LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS.

There are over 16,000 carcases of mutton and lamb in the Oamaru Freezing Works. The Etman takes about half this quantity, and the ether half will be railed' to Port Chalmers for shipment to West of England ports. These shipments will clear out the freezing chambers for the season. A considerable amount of wheat is still being carted from Hawea Flat to Clyde and thence railed to Dunedin. .^he grain carried over the Southland.railtrays last week' amounted to 17,036 sacks. For the corresponding week of last year the amount was little more than a third of this, bein«r 6523 sacks. Up to date this season 884,689 Hacks have been carried, as against 604,591 sacks to the corresponding <J»te of last year, an increase in business of 280.C58 sacks A spell of bad weather last -week came as a reminder that the winter has not quite left us. The weather turned very cold on Tuesday night, and in the interior and on the hills snow fell on Wednesday, but except at a considerable height above sea level it did not last long. Rain was fairly general, and put a check on farm work. The weatheT improved again towards the end of the week, but the winds continued cold, and did something more than temper the rays of the sun. In the North Island and in the northeVn portions of the South Island the cold snap was experienced also, and on the night of the 18th there was quite a sharp frost in the Auckland provincial district. On the ranges as far north ad Hokianga light snow fell, an unusual- occurrence. After heavy rain had fallen in the \\anganui --district sharp cojd followed, and snow fell lightly on the hills and even in the town of Wanganui. The rain caused the creeks and livers in the district to be flooded, and some slips fell on the road between Wanganui and Wangaebu. The weather on the coast was boisterous on the night of the 17th. and throughout the day on the 16th, and steamers cominjf south' from Wellington were delayed somewhaC Farm work is so well forward in .the south that the check of last week will cause' little or no inconvenience,. while the soaking which the( soil has received -is likely to benefit it in the near future. Lambs are making th^ir appearance in almost every district of Otago and Southland, and, naturally, farmers and graziers are hoping for a spell of fine weather for the new i arrivals, and to bring on the grass. At the annual meeting of the Tuturau Dairy Factory Company, Southland, Mr James Gait being in the chair, the report submitted stated that 13£ d per lb had been paid for butter fat to the end of April. The directors recommended that a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, be paid on the fiaid-up capital. The amount paid in cash or milk was £2819, while the cheese sold realised £3457, and the cheese in stock was valued at £110. The chairman and Mr Dickie considered the report and balance sheet highly satisfactory, and they were adopted. " The chairman (Mr James Gait), the retiring directors (Messrs Hannah and Muir), auditor (Mr J. C. MacGregor). and secretary (Mr R. Winning) were all reelscted for the ensuing year. -The - chairman and Mr Muir were appointed to confer with the new cheesemaker (Mr Dunlop) on the :neceßsary: neceßsary improvements at the factory before the season starts. Several, shareholders referred to ihe: valuable servicci rendered by Mr 1 Winriingr, bhe secretary, and it was .suggested' that he Was entitled to a bonus, but the - malter was left over antil afier the coming season*