FEATHERSTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 273, 25 September 1879, Page 2

FEATHERSTON.

(from our own correspondent.) Sept, 24th, 1879.

The cattle sale to-day was well attended, and represented by both the large and small farmers. Few cattle were offered, and what there was could not be called first-class beef. It was bought up chiefly by the Grsytown butchers. A mixed lot of store cattle was sold at from L 4 to L 6 per head. About 200 sheep were put in by Mr Williams, of Kaiwaiwai; but as the trade is pretty full at present they went at rather a low figure—the ewes at Gs 9d and the wethers at 9s each, and were knocked down to Mr Gear, of Wellington, Horses were few and rather inferior, and realised prices ranging from L 5 and upwards; one specimen was bought by one of our butchers tor 25s—whether for its beef or hide, I cannot say. Farmers complain of the expense of entering stock. Perhaps the directors of the yards may consider this at their next meeting, and remove any obstacle which prevents their sales being a success. The gold produced from the 21cwt of quartz from our reef is now in Featherston. It is a nice'little cake, weighing 23dwt, and of a rather pale color, but for all that very acceptable. A company is now formed to further test the range, so that shortly we may expect to know more of the matter. a

Our cricket clubs are now being reformed, and already groups may be seen at practice in out-of-the-way corners, Mr Luxford, of the Bank of New Zealand, is

secretary and treasurer for one, and Mr B. W. Gurr custodian. The great regret is now, that after all the expense incurred in laying out a ground by the previous club, thanks to the Local Board, the knights of the willow have nowhere to practice with a full team.