Click photo to enlarge
Bathers enjoy a swim in the baths at the popular Dunedin
seaside resort of St Clair. - Otago Witness, 14.10.1908.
The present unfavourable state of the hemp industry in
Otago and Southland, as compared with its position last year,
is exemplified by the quoting of a few figures.
In the month of August last year there were 45 mills at work
in Otago and Southland, and the output amounted to 1057
bales.
In the month of August of the present year there were only 10
mills in operation, with a paltry output of 147 bales.
In September of last year there were 39 mills working, and
the output went up to 1146 bales.
During September of this year there were only 12 mills in
running throughout Otago and Southland, with an output of 256
bales.
Since September, however, there has been a slight
improvement, and at the present time about 21 mills are
operating throughout the province.
The whole question of making the industry pay really hangs on
the importation of price of Manila hemp, which can be
procured here at the same price that New Zealand good fair
grade commands - namely, about 23 per ton, - and so long as
that continues there is not much hope for the local producer,
and no change is likely to come about so long as the
conditions governing the importation of Manila hemp remain as
at present.
• Hallowe'en was fittingly celebrated at the Burns Hall last
night by an excellent concert given under the auspices of the
Dunedin Burns Club.
The concert commenced with a selection by the Dunedin Pipe
Band, followed by a part song, "Lass o' Ballochmyle," sung
with capital effect by the choir.
Mr J. Jago's contributions to the evening's successes were
"O' a' the airts" and "Green grow the rashes, O."
"There grows a bonnie briar bush" was sympathetically sung by
Mrs F. Wakefield Holmes, who, however, did herself greater
justice in the song "I lo'od nae a laddie but ane."
Mr W. H. Mckenzie's rendering of "My love is like a red, red,
rose" was creditable alike to himself and his subject, and
his singing of "Afton water" was better still.
The Highland Reel was the joy of all beholders, and the choir
concluded a powerful programme with the part song "Gloomy
winter's noo awa'."
- ODT, 31.10.1908.
