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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 312, 2 October 1875, Page 2

The Wairarafia. News of a. fete date says : —“ Laud is being broken up by agriculturists in the Wairarapa iu all directions, aud a much larger area will be under crop this year than has ever been before. This is as it should be with the fine feud at our settlers' disposal, for we hold it to be a disgrace to import wheat, oats-, maize, and potatoes from the other colonies. We are now- paying ar most exorbitant price for almost all the necessaries of life—in fact, we might safety say all, without fear of contradiction—for vegetables cannot be had at any price by many; and milk, butter, cheese, and bacon afe only to be dreamed of. Wanganui would, be nearly as badly off were it not for her Maori neighbors, who though biding their time for hjgh prices, relieve the pressing and present necessities of the Wanganuites.”

A consignment of ten quail was received by Mr. E. G. Norris from the Auckland Acclimatisation Society per fest Rowena for distribution. This will probably be the last received this season as the birds are commencing to breed. Mr. Norris also received 100 sets of a first-rate grass, now being cultivated in Australia,called Panicum Spectabile. It is superior to sorghum in being perennial, and is quite unaffected by drought. It would bo a good plan to distribute tho grass seed in small quantities getting people to grow it in the garden for the first year. In that way a sufficient number of off-sets from the roots could be obtained for plainting on a larger scale next year, la Australia it is said to be invaluable for green fodder in dry season*. We urge settlers to give this grass a trial—Bay Plenty Times. The Highway Boards Empowering Amendment Bill, brought into the House of Representatives by Mr. Sheehan, though containing only five clauses, is a very important measure. The second clause provides that, notwithstanding anything in the sixth clause of the Highway Boards Empowering Act of 1871, it shall and may be lawful to levy within any Highway District, in manner provided by law, any rate not exceeding £lO per centum upon the annual value of any rateable property within the district, or 2d per £1 upon the value to sell of any such property. Section three of tbe Empowering Act of 1873 is by this new bill to be repealed. It is probable, however, that some change in the form of the bill will be made, as tbe fourth clause provides that the Act shall be brought into operation by ®ny “ Act or ordinance of the Superintendent and Provincial Council of any province.” Of course, if there be ho province, there can be no such Act or ordinance. The subject is well worthy tho attention of ratepayers in Highway Districts. — New Zealand Herald.