HASTINGS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3854, 23 November 1883, Page 3

HASTINGS.

[FROII OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Thursday

The Aveathor, and the oldest inhabitants, and all that sort of thing, might Avell be Avritten about now. Everybody is coin-

plaining ; the shearers say that, since the shearing commenced they havo not been making more than Avcekly wages, and the runhoidcrs say that the men aro eating more than the A'alue of the avool they shear ; and, if this weather continues, it will be Avejl on in the ucav year before it is over. A great many acres of potatoes that Avere planted during last month have rotted in the ground, and the land has either to be replanted again or otherAvisc used. Aud the corn crops have the appearance of running nearly all to straAV. The bi-OAvn beetles made their appearance Avitli their regular punctuality a few days before the middle of the month, and began their havoc upon the fruit trees, but they did not like the Aveathor, and retired to earth again. I only hope they Avill share the fate of the potatoes. Slugs and snails aro dining well in this part of the country, and seem particularly partial to strawberries, arid caterpillars may be expected towards the end of next month. Query—-Docs farming pay ? I hiu'o said nothing about the small birds, and the acres of mangolds, etc., that have had to be soavii tAvicc and three times for their dear sakes. Cattle are selling very cheap just now—a fat bullock that would havo sold for £10 a short time ago Avill not uoav fetch more than £7, yet butchers' beef is still the same high price. AVho makes the profit ? Not tho farmer. I sec that Mr AY. Nelson has had his private residence at The LaAvn connected Avith the Tomoana Avorks by telephone. Posts have also been erected connecting that place with Hastings, but for what purpose I am not sure. This town is groAA'ing fast, I hope not too fast. Our ucav bank Avill soon bo finished, and thcro arc hints about another branch bank starting here soon. Ruddock and Fryer's neAV building AA'ill soon bo finished, and Avill, I believe, be opened about the middle of next month,

I soo thorc is to bo a final examination on Tuesday next of the sheep that were dippod A\'ith the different dips under the auspices of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society, for the purpose of ascertaining the relative value of tho different dips. Every caro Avas taken at tho time of the dipping, aud of the sheep since, so that as true a decision as possible should be arrived at, I believe experienced AvociLfcavnplcra arc to bo on the ground to give their opinion as to tho condition of the avool, so that it is to be 1 hoped that the sheep OAvners will gain some useful information from this trial.