PUERUA.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIII, Issue 1148, 4 September 1896, Page 6

PUERUA.

[Fbom Odb Own Cobbesfootent.l The fifteenth annual bachelors' ball took place in Romahapa hall on Friday evening and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather was, like all its successors, an unqualified success. During the whole of these years each succeeding ball has been an improvement on the preceding one. Considering the state of the weather on Friday night, there was a large attendance, visitors being present from Balclutha, Catlins, Glenomaru, "Warepa, Waitepeka and neighbouring districts. Had the evening been fine the hall would no doubt have been crowded to excess. The hall was nicely decorated with ferns and evergreens for the occasion and this, together with the elegant dresses of the ladies produced a very gay effect. The secretary, Mr John Dunn, and the members of committee were very assiduous in their attention to the comfort of the visitors. Refreshments, which were provided in great abundance and of the best quality were served at intervals, Mr Meder of Catlins being the caterer. Excellent music was supplied by Mr Sinclair (violin,) and Mr Bilson (piano,) and in the course of the evening they were assisted by Mr W. Gillan (violin,) and Miss Graici Murray (violin.) Messrs Aberneihy and Grant were M.C's. Songs were sung by Mr George Vial and others and Mr W. Gillan danced a hornpipe. Dancing was kept up with great spirit till a little before daylight. Before breaking up Mr R. S. Murray in a neat speech congratulated the bachelors on the success of their yearly gathering, and in his own name and for the other visitors thanked them for all their kindness and attention and for the treat they had proTided. In regard to agricultural matters there is but little to mention. We have now had two months of very backward weather which has greatly retarded all kinds of work on the farm. With the exception of the turnip ground ploughing is finished. Owing to the wet weather the sheep have been longer on the turnips than usual as they had frequently to be turned into the grass paddocks to prevent both the ground and the turnips being estroyed. Some crops have been sown, principally wheat. As I hare before remarked there is but little of that cereal sown here. Taking a financial view of jnattew farmers find that land that will grow 20 buabels of wheat will grow 60 bushel* of oaU. Witb the latter crop there la not eo much risk as if the oats cannot be gold, they can always b§ con*

sumed with advantage on the farm. Besides, the straw is a more valuable asset. Should favorable weather set in sowing will at once be general and when the ground already turned over is sown the turnip ground will be ready for. ploughing, I am as yet uuable to indicate the area that will be under crop in the district this season but to all appearance it will be much the same as last year.