The
Pieces On Darwin Are In The EText "Pieces On Darwin" And The Minor
Pieces Written Whilst Butler Was At Cambridge University, England, Are
In The EText "Cambridge Pieces".
- DP.
{2} See Preface.
{3} August, 1862. - Since writing the above, matters have somewhat
changed. Firstly, Ewes are fully worth 30s. a head, and are not to be
had under. Secondly, The diggings in Otago have caused the value of
wethers to rise, and as they are now selling at 33s. on the runs of the
Otago station (I quote the Lyttelton Times, which may be depended upon),
and those runs are only very partially stocked, the supply there must in
all probability fall short of the demand. The price of sheep in this
settlement is therefore raised also, and likely to continue high. All
depends upon what this next spring may bring forth upon the Otago gold-
fields. If they keep up the reputation which they sustained until the
winter caused the diggers to retreat, the price will be high for some
few years longer; if they turn out a failure, it MUST fall before very
long. Still, there is a large and increasing population in Canterbury,
and as its sheep-feeding area is as nothing compared with that of
Australia, we do not expect sheep here ever to fall as low as they did
there before the diggings. Indeed, they hardly can do so; for our sheep
are larger than the Australian, and clip a much heavier fleece, so that
their fleece, and skins, and tallow must be of greater value.
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