IMPORTED FOWLS FROM ENGLAND.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 349, 9 March 1889, Page 4

IMPORTED FOWLS FROM ENGLAND.

We have pleasure in recording the return of Mr John Cornwell from England, with a choice shipment of pure-bred poultry for different fanciers in this colony. We explained the object of Mr Cornwell's visit to the Old Country at the time of his departure, which was lo procm*e for certain gentlemen first-class specimens of different breeds from the best English strains. Although the sea voyage from England is longer than from San Francisco there are some advantages in getting fowls by the former route, especially when they can come under the experienced care of a man Jike Mr Cornwell. American birds, especially if they come from breeding establishments far east of San Francisco, have to undergo a long railway journey, during which more or less knocking about and hardship is unavoidable, and then there may be some days of waiting at the port of departure. But the birds which came out under Mr Cornwell's charge were put straight on board the direct steamer in London, and thanks to his attention and thorough knowledge of poultry management, they have arrived in New Zealand in perfect condition and health. In selecting the fowls, Mr Cornwell visited the great poultry shows held at Birmingham and the Crystal Palace, purchasing a considerable number of prize-takers. Others of his selections were made from the private yards of some of the best breeders. The following is a list of the fowls bought, Avith their breeders' names :—: — Game birds — Brown and black breasted duckwing. and pile, four varieties, from Messrs Brinney, Parker and Mathers; brown Leerhorns, from Mr Hurst ; Minorcas, from Mr Hopkins ; Andalusians, from Mr Leighton ; Houdans, from Messrs Fowler and Co. ; buff Cochins, from Mr A. G. Darby ; partridge, from Mr Friar Bennett : light Brabnias, from Messrs Percival and ) 1 ood ; dark Brahmas, from Rev. J. C. Peck and Alford Ashton ; silver Wyandottes, from Aylesbury Poultry Company; Spanish, from Mr Auckland of Wales and Mr ! Powell ol Yorkshire ; bantams, black and reds, and piles, from Messrs Mather and Anderton ; white-breasted bantams, from Mr Rickets; golden Seabrights, prize takers, Crystal Palace Show, from Mr F. Geary* Ducks — Aylesbury and Rouen, from Messrs Fowler, Fawcett. and Amesworth. Pigeons— Jacobins, short - faced An twerps, dragoons, pouters, and homers. These, with only two exceptions arrived, as we have said, in tip top condition, and showing little or no signs of having undergone the confinement inseparable from a long sea voyage. The only losses by death were two cock birds, a black Spanish and a Malay. The following are the breeders, so far as we can learn, who have received birds by this shipment : — Christchurch : A pair Black and Red Game Duckwing, a pair Black and Red Game Bantams, and a pair Short-faced Antwerp pigeons for Mr Ambrose Johnston, and a pair of Duekwing Game for Mr Alfred Dacre. Auckland : A tiio of splendid Brown Leghorns for Mr A. E. Dewes, of JL J arnell ; Aylesbury and Rouen Ducks for Messrs Reid Bros., of Mobutapu. We have nob been able to learn the names of other gentlemen who received birds, but we have had the pleasure of inspecting Mr Dewes's Brown Leghorns, with which we were greatly pleased. They are the best, both of size coloui', and ear-lobes, which we have yet seen in New Zealand.

Book Agent— l would like to show you the very latest English cyclopaedia. Old Timer — No, sir; English or American, I could never learn to ride one at any time of life. Prince Rupert, grandson to the uncle of the King of Bavaria, is insane. The champion prevaricator at the Cape reports the capture of a whale in that district with the word "Jonah" carved on one of its ribs. It was very thoughtful of the prophet not to forget his carving tools. It is estimated that there are in the east of London alone 314,000 persons entirely dependent upon casual labour. A great proportion of this number live a dull, hopeless, shiftless and sad life, on the verge of starvation.