DUNTROON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 35

DUNTROON.

M»v 12. — We have experienced some very changeable weather lately. Cold south-west winds have been blowing continually, with flic intermission of an odd nor'-wester. A large amount of snow has fallen on the hilltcp^, but so far none has fallen below the snow line. Agricultural. — We have had a few showers lately, but these came rather too late to - benefit either grass or turnips. Feed has ■ been very scarce this autumn. I do not • remember ever seeing the paddocks so bare of feed at this time of year for a long time. The milk cows have had to bs fed artifitiaUy since the end of March. The land was so • dry that even th? paddocks sown six or seven ■ wcek3 age for green feed have only just " commenced to show a green tinge on them. ; Feed will ba in short supply thi9 winter. Most of the threshing is finished in thia district, and the result is about the same average per acie as usual — wheat, front 25 to 50 bushels per acre; oats, 45 to 80 bushels per acre. I have seen rio bar!ey this season." The . turnip crops are not up to the average, as a result of the summer being so wet and" cold, whfe the dTy autumn practically stepped their growth. One or two patches are, however, very geod. Potatoes are scarce this season, but what wo have ia a splendid sample. The very heavy frosts that came just as the bloom was going off the potatoes prevented these from growirg any more. So far as I can see, potatoes have not growu anything in size since the middle oi Fek*"U arv - The yield will average about four tons .of marketable tubers, the small ones beiDg very numerous — about two sacks smfH to five large. Notwithstanding this, they will pay well. At l?st planting season it cost nearly £10 an acre to sow potatoes — carting, work, and seed, — so there is a considerable outlay to start with.

Obituary. — Three deaths have occurred in this little township within the last few weeks —viz.. Mrs J." Fyfe. who was only married curly last summer; Mr J. Monagan, after a week's i'lness from pneumonia: and then (thia morning) a very old resident of the Waitaki, Mr Malcolm M'lver. The last-named was a shepherd for many years on different stations in the Waitaki district, but jf late years he hat. kept a few cows, etc.. to make two ends meet. Deceased was over 70 years of age, and was highly respected throughout the district. Pneumonia seems to bs very prevalent in this district at present. The school has been only sparsely attended Iptely owing to sickness in and around the township; indeed, it was cloied for a week to give the absentees a chance to recover.

U.A.O.D. — The annual ball in connection with this body is to be held on the 31st inst. The Star of Duntroon Lodge has only been formed a little over two years, but it is a strong one. I hope it may long continue to flourish, as it. supplies a long-felt want in the community.

Game. — What a "have" for the would-be shooters this season ' Many of us went aa usual .on the opening day to see what luck we could get, only to find out a few days afterwards we wen poaching. Well, those who got a few ducks were lucky. After ail the controversy over the close season. I think it very unfair to issue the proclamation. There are more paradise diicks about this year than I have seen for five years. Just fancy going through a paddock with a gun m your hand and seeing 20 or more ducks within range, and not being able to get one! However, I suppose we must, bow to the mandate of the powers that be.