GENERAL NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 45, 15 August 1911, Page 3

GENERAL NEWS

People should know that it is a- dan-1 gerous thing, so far as tiiey themselves are concerned, to set a spring gun by way of protection to their dwellings during their absence. A man fired a j pea-rifle at his dwelling, near Invercargill, with a string tied to the trigger in such a way that it could not possibly do any harm to anyone entering the house by the door. A boy entered 'by the window in order to steal money, and was shot in the thigh. The man made no secret of what he had done, and the boy admitted having entered the house in search of money, and having done so on previous occasions. The man was committed for trial.

A gentleman who lived in Palmerston for a short time, some years ago, and has been settled in New York for a period, has found it pretty hard to obtain congenial occupation. He has been acting as teacher's substitute in various seminaries. He writes:—"l held a position for two months, acting for a teacher in a public school, my first appearance in that line. I had a very pleasant time as long as it lasted. I had three classes in Greek, two girls studying Homer, and very well they did—much better than any boys I have had. I am only' sorry I did not try the High Schools earlier. But positions in this city, city, however good one's attainments, are very difficult to obtain. There are so many in every profession seeking openings, and those who are past the prime of life have very little chance of success."—"Standard."

The report upon the drainage operations on the Hauraki Plains during the last financial year shows that the area of land reclaimed and disposed of during the year was 21,530 acres, of a capital value of £101,870. The land now being drained preparatory to being opened for settlement during the coming summer amounts to 0800 acres, valued at £27,200. Sixty-nine acres were set apart for reserves. The total value of the lands dealt with during the year was £135,205. The works completed include 27 miles of stop banks, 35 flood gates, 19 miles of cart roads, with drains on both sides, seven wharves built with hardwood piles, 30 small sill bridges across drains, 14 miles of private telephone line, and nine artesian bores. An average of nearly 300 men are being employed, and there were 187 separate contracts in progress during the year.

The ■break up of ducal estates goes 011 apace. Amongst the properties recently sold were part of the Duke of Bedford's Devonshire estates, consisting of 47li!J acres, producing about £?.OOt) a year, every lot changing hands at Launeeston for a total of £OO,OOO. The tenants in many cases acquired their holdings, the Devon County Council being among the purchasers. The Duke of Bedford offered loans at 4 per cent, to tenants buying lots of a value of not less than £450. Part of the Compton Castle estate, in Somerset, comprising 1147 acres, and producing an annual rental of £1743, was offered at Selborne in lots, and realised £ 14,485, some of the principal lots being reserved for private sale. Portion of Lord Londeslv-rough's estates realised at Sel.by over £li(i,000. Nineteen out of 2~i lots in the Duke of Bedford's Maulden estate, Beds., realised over £IO,OOO at Bedford.

The horse trade between the Dominion and Victoria has received a check owing to the decline in values in Melbourne. Several Southland and Otago exporters, who have been on a visit to the Victorian capital with consignments, returned to Bluff by the Moeraki. They were all agreed that while the market was dull, there was still a good market for well-bred, clean-legged mares. Roughlegged mares were at a discount, and, unfortunately for the New Zealand trade a large number of those had found their way from the Dominion to the Melbourne market. On the other hand, rough-legged stallions and eolts were in demand. The shire breed of horses have come into favour in Victoria, and recent importations of this breed from Great Britain have found a ready sale. Mr. John Ewan (Drummond), when seen by a reporter on the subject, said the new type of Shire resembles the now type of Clydesdale, inasmuch as it has clean legs and finer bone than the type familiar to New Zealand breeders. Mr. Ewan expressed himself as pleased with the result of the sale of his consignments. Three of his best mares realifed £SGO.