STOCK MARKET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9077, 29 April 1908, Page 7

STOCK MARKET.

Special to Wairnrapa Age

•JOHNSONVILE, April 28

Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd., report on their -Johnso..villa •sale as follows: —A fair entry of sheep, ranging from medium to light weight to prime sheep, made up to 22s 6d, best bullocks £9 to £9 2s 6d, •others £7 17s 6d to 10, light £6 15s to £7 10s. A heavy yarding of sheep, mostly fair quality, were above requirementa. Wethers, best 16s to 16s lid, ethers 15s 9d. light 14a 3d, maiden ewes light J3a 9(3, best ewes 15s Id, others 13a 7d, 13s 9d to 14s 2d, lambs woolly 129 sd, shorn 12s 3d to 13s lOd.

The danger of swallowing grape seeds was illustrated at a village near Bathurst recently, when a lad named A. Morgan ate some grapes slightly green, and immediately after complained of pain in his side. His mother treated him to the best of her skill, but, no improvement showing, hi< was taken to the hospital, where lie underwent an operation for appendices with success. On the appendix being removed it was found to contain a grape seed.

The decision of the Broken Hill Proprietary directors not to declare a dividend this quarter came as a great shock to Broken Hill. The explanation that the low price of metals and the additional cost of working have caused the directors to pass over a dividend, is received with incredulity. It is believed to be an indication that preparation i< being made for some labour trouble •or for a severe slump in metal values. The cha'rman of directors states that the lowness of metal values had ncteased the cost of producton, and had affected the earnings of the company <o the extent of a hundred thousand pounds. Therefore, as the company had not earned a dividend, it could not pay one.

A correspondent writing to the "Lytielton Times" corrects a statement recently made by Mr Ronnie, of Leeston, that the first reaping machine worked in New Zealand was one imported by Mr Wilkinson, and uaed by him on Lincoln Road in 1859. The "Timos's" correspondent declares that in 1856 the late Mr William Harkness worked one on his farm at Richmond, near Nelson. It was rather a cumbrous affair, drawn by three hor3es. The leader and the near poler were ridden by boys, thus obviating the necessity of a driver. The man in charge of tbe machine had a seat over the driving-wheel, and by means of a peculiarly shaped rake, pushed the unbound sheaf off the platform at the roar of the machine. One of the boys who drove tfc'ie horses of the first reaper used in !New Zealand is Mr J. G. Harknesa, of Wellington, well-known as secretary of the National Dairy Association.