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Patea Mail, 14 April 1881, Page 3

The manufacture of walking sticks from the native supplejack is another industry that has recently sprung into existence in Wellington. Nutrition. —Wheat-meal bread is made from corn which has been deprived of onty the outer covering, that is to say, the flour contains the bran. The bread thus produced is not only much cheaper than the ordinary white bread, but it is much better. A shilling’s worth contains three times more flesh-giving material, seventy times more heat-producing material, and three times more bone-forming material than is to be found in a shilling’s worth of beef-steak. The harvest prospects of America are considered most satisfactory, and it is anticipated that the yield will be unusually large. The cotton crop is also expected to be excellent. The French expedition formed for the purpose of carrying into operation a scheme for a railway across the desert of Sahara to Timbuctoo. has met with a serious disaster. The natives treacherously administered to the party deadly poison from the effects of which they died. The Dutch in Africa. —The Pall Mall Gazette, in a leading article, says the Dutch element, unobstrusive as it is, is still the strongest European element in South Africa. A large part of the European population of Natal is Dutch. The Orange Free State is at least threequarters Dutch, notwithstanding the existence of an Anglican bishop in its capital. The whole of the Western province of the Cape Colony is Dutch. To exasperate the Dutch element is therefore to render useless one of the most potent influences for governing the South African colonies in the future. More than a year back the people’s committee in the Transvaal agreed to meet the Imperial authorities on a most liberal and conciliatory basis if only their independence was restored. Is it still too late to come to terms ? A man named John Yen der Sloot(who formerly resided in Nelson) lost his life at Halcombe, in the Fielding district, through going down an impure well, which another man refused to go down. Not receiving a signal from him, those above ground drew him up, when it was found life was extinct. Deceased left a wife and family of young children to mourn his sad death.

LONDON SEED MARKET. Messrs John Shaw and Sons, London, report that the seed trade, for the fortnight ending February 24th, was quiet, a return of unfavourable weather naturally keeping back the consumptive demand. Stocks of Red Clover continued moderate, the arrivals from America being meagre. More business was passing in White Clover, a decline in value having brought forward buyers. Fine Alsyke was meeting with more enquiry. The supply of Timothy was limited. As regards Canary holders despairing of any improvement in the demand were clearing out as a sacrifice. CANTERBURY STOCK REPORT. (From Canterbury Times.) There was a good attendance of buyers at the Addington Yards on Wednesday, and biddings were brisk for all kinds of fat stock. The stock y arded comprised 6226 sheep and 286 head of cattle. Sheep. —Prime cross-breds sold at from 14s 6d to 15s ; good do, from 10s 6d to 12s 3d. Prime merinos realised 9s ; good do, 7s Gd. We quote mutton at a shade above 2d per lb Store cross-bred ewes for which a keen competition took place, sold at from 6s Gd to 8s Gd. Cattle. —Only a very small supply of fat stock was offered, as the bulk bad been sold privately. In consequence of this there was a brisk demand for those sold by auction, and beef averaged 20s per 100 lbs. Several lines of stores changed bands at prices about equal to last week’s rates. CANTERBURY GRAIN & PRODUCE. (From Canterbury Times.) The grain market during the past week has been tolerably active, and a considerable amount of business has passed through hands. The deliveries by rail have been heavy, and the block of grain in Lyttelton for shipment at the present moment is heavier than has hitherto been experienced at any time. Wheat. —The price of this grain has in no way altered. Tuscan, cither red or white, is still quoted at 3s 8d to 3s 9d, and other sorts at 3s 6d to 3s 7d. Inferior lots command Id to 2d less. Oats. —An improved demand is felt at the moment for all classes of oats. Best milling descriptions are saleable at Is 74d to Is 84d ; and good feed Is 5d to Is 7d. Barley. —Fair business can be reported in this grain at late rates. Sales of good malting have been frequent at 2s Gd to 2s 9d, and a few parcels of better quality have been taken at 3s to 3s 3d. Flour is in fair enquiry at £9 to £lO. Potatoes are quoted at 30s to 32s Gd at the railway stations. Grass Seed. —The market still maintains the same tone, 3s 9d to 4s is obtainable, and for an extra sample 4s 3d. Dairy Produce: —Cheese, dull, at 3d to 34d ; and butter, G4d to 7d.