MANAWATU

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 879, 21 September 1881, Page 2

MANAWATU

[FROM OUR OffiV CORRESPONDENT.] Palmorstnn North, Sept. 18th. The season has changed and the cold piercing blast of wmter, with its. driving rain and sleet, and. the dark lowering sky has given place to the fair joyous spring. Miscreant winter is fast shrinking away to his lair—the Bouth—thatregion' of desolateness, where icebergs reign supreme, and man's foot has not trodden. Spring in all its loveliness has made its appear-' ance, and all nature appears to welcome, her happy advent; nature proclaims'its' happiness at the exit of the frost-bearded monster, _ and shouts "thrice welcome thou maiden of suiishine and pleasant-, nets," Yes, the season has changed, During the past week the weather in the Manawatu has been all sunshine, and the agreeable change has been welcomed by all whose occupation take them outdoors.

Messrs Stevens and Gorton held their usual stock sale at Palmerston on Thursday last. The were an unusual .number of cattle yarded, but only one pen of sheep, The demand for' beef, '■ milch cows, and store cattle, is not at all diminished, but still show a rising tendency which augurs well for future prospects. The attendance waß numerous, and the bidding for store Btore cattle, of from two years to two aud a half years was most spirited, and many of the pens keenly contested for, This class of stock sold at prices ranging from £3 10s per head to £5. Eighteen months old varied in prices from £2 10s to £4los; yearlings, from £llss to £2 10s; beef—3 years old, Bold at prices from £8 to £9 6s; and in those the competition was most keen. Milch cows were in good demand, and fetched from £5 to £8; with calves at foot, £5 to £8 10s. A number of horses were offered, but none sold, the reserved prices being too high, and judging from these it appears evident that a rise in price of horse-flesh has taken place—hacks, were withdrawn at £8 and £9. A few months since the local Auctioneers were unable to obtain a bid for horses. The pen of 2tooth hoggets mixed, so)d at 10s per head, and a strong demand for more was experienced.

At Halcombe and Sherwill's monthly sale, the same day, the following prices were realised:—Sheepskins, 2£d to 6|d por lb ; hides, 3d to id per lb ; tallow, 18s to 22s per cwt.; seed wheat, 4s 9d per bushel; oats, 3s fid; cheeße, 4|d per lb; butter (salt), 3|d to4|d per lb j bacon, 6d per lb, The above prices for produce I do not think may ba fairly taken as ruling prices, as the majority of buyers were those who have farms of their own, and am consequently producers. The best prices quoted by this firnj show' a considerable advance, but probably the produce market js subject to fluctuations; the same as others, The sitting of the Palnjerston District Court takes place to-morrow; but there is not a single case down for hearing, so the Court will be adjourned, Happy is Palmerston, free from litigation I The Brigade is again—to use their own expression —nonplussed.

A considerable amount of controversy is going on among public bodies here as to who is liable for the repairs and maintenance of the Rtzherbert-Manawatn Bridge, which is, at present, in a oritioal state, and is threatened with destruction should a lpvy flood occur, The County Council maintain jtlmb the Balnierston Borough Council are liable,' and the latter body deny tl|e responsibility. It is hard at present to say how the matter is to be settled, or when; the repairs necessary, it is estimated will cost £I,OOO, of which Qqveriiinjint graijis, h,alf,"