CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3481, 20 February 1880, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Last night.

In reply to a deputation regarding the removal: of the railway , department, Mr Oliver said be was pleased to learn that all that was desired by; Canterbury was to consult the,interest of the colony, and he could assure the deputation all that had been done was for the interest of the railway system jof the whole Island. When Mr Conyera was transferred it was for the v purpose of organising a good business system at Dunedin. It was, found, that the Canterbury system was so excellent, and on such a striking contrast with that at Dunedin and Port Chalmers that it was deemed desirable,: that on the Invercargill line the same system should be adopted. . ' ,/' : ;

The members of^;thV/PuW^.l Wiwks''' Commission are said,to be Messrs Curtis, Thompson, late Surveyor-General, Wright member . for and Colonei Trimble,' niember For' Grey and; ;Bell, Taranaki. ,;, :::.--v;;'- 'O -•':- :; Mr Oliver visited North Canterbury to-day, and was inundated by demands from Eaiapoi and Kangiora and other places. ; :-,.-.•■; ' ■■■■■■'■;''■ •:.:•■•■?;•'■.■■■• ;'■;'.■•;■. Meat for England. The efforts of the local press in taking up the subject of the export of fresh meat have borne some fruit, as a deputation of stock growers to-day waited upon Messrs Dilkin and Co. to ascertain if it possible to take immediate steps to get a vessel to New Zealand to load with meat under the Bell-Goleman process for England.' The deputation were of opinion that if such could be done, stock growers generally would be willing to subscribe towards the cost with: a view of testing how New Zealand meat would do in the London market, and how far it would relieve the local stock market in the present state, of low prices. One of .'the shipping company, who was present, stated the subject had been discussed by the directors of the company, and they had already taken stops to ascertain the cost of the processi and how far sailing vessels wer| ; suitable for the conveyance of meat, and what advantage producers in New Zealand would.; gain by it. Messrs Wilkin and Co. promised to take immediate steps to ascertain whether there was any chance of procuring a steamer. They were, however, of opinion that there would be no ch«nce of getting I a vessel to come to New Zealand till the company was floated, and the whole process more fully developed.

Wheat for early shipment and delirery is coming forward, and with a view of taking advantage of the ready carriage when trucks are easy to get, and the chance of detention is least. Threshing is being pushed forward vigorously in nearly erery district, and many of the samples shown arc really fine. All the bulk of the, yield it is thought will fully sustain the excellent reputation our wheat has won for itself in the London market.