LUMSHEN.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 30

LUMSHEN.

November 7.— The weather during the past month has been most wretched, bitteily cold winds accompanied by colder showers have been the bill of f j.re throughout the above period, and at the present i< onient there is no indication of any improvement in the elements taking place. . Agricultural —Operations under this heading have had a complete check of late, and farmer* are at their wits' end as to how to get their grainsowing for tho season completed, and 1 am thinking that the harvesting of such sowing will cause them a* much if not more anxiety. The early sown crops are looking very miserable, and I am afraid that they" have received a check in the growth that will take them all their time, to recover from, even if the f weather were to take an immediate change for the better.

Pastoral. — I regret having to report much serious loss to stock of all kinds through the

inclemency of the elements at this particular time of the yc*r. I am told that the percentage of -lambs would have been a record one if the weather

had not turned out so unfavourable.

All the

same I believe the percentage will be up to, if not • aboye, the average. The pasture graoses are looking fairly good and stock is beginning to look well and strong, and I hope that at balancing time there may not be much cause for complaint over tbe year's operations. Bunny.— This little creature is having a rest at present ; but I expect the slaughter will begin soon. There are many of our young men who have done well at trapping for the freezing works during the past season, and they expect to do much better this comii-g one. An agency for buying trapped rabbits is to be takeu up here, and whoever does start should do well at itr- - County Council —Our member, Mr Ward, -,vbo is county chairman, and the county engineer paid

us a visit last week, and the district was in a very

favourable slate for them to see for them&elves .as to its requirements. Flooded creeks and muddy roads were in ell direction*, and I maintain that is the best time for council officers to see what is wanted. I heard these gentlemen say that they were highly pleated with th^ improved state of our roads and culverts, <fee, and I know personally since Mr Sexton took charge of our ro*ds,and bywaya the improvement in the same is most noticeable. - Entertainment. — The bachelors of Lumsden and surrounding district organised a splendid night* amusement for -the married folks and single ladies" throughout the district, and I must •say that^ they (the bachelors) have good cam»e to congratulate themselves" on the great success of their 'Undertakin<*. TheCommitt.ee of Management worked so w<II that nothing seems to hay« been overlooked to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of their gueste, and I hope soon to see tho Benedicts return the compliment, and may they £ake a leaf out of their younger tirothevs' book. Amusements. — There is a h«avy bill of fare ah*ad of v*. The Black Family, Crom Invcrcargill, are expected shortly, with a school kinderspiel toon* after. Both items are looked forward to as beiDg something „-ood. I am told on good authority that the Oddfellown' Lodge is'to give an entertainmeat on Christmas Eve iv the" shape of a corcert and ball, and, judging by therhearty manner in which the matter has been taken,up, £ believe it will be a great success. EccLKSiASTtCAL —I am sorry to have to report that Mr Blakir, of the Presbyterian Church, a'ucl Mr Watson, of the Auglfcan Church, are both oh tbe sick list. I hope that it may not be of a serious nature, but, with a long lest and good nursing, we •all of us sincerely wi><h both gentUmen t, complete and permanent recovery. Tourist Traffic— 'J here is little or nothing doing in this line so far this season ; in fact, no one would leave their quarters in such weather as ye have been having lately that could possibly avoid doing bo. Just a word while on this topic re the Mossburn (or, correctly spjaking, Lumsden) -Te Anau road. lam told that the road in many places is in a most dangei ous state, and something should be done before next winter.