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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1146, 22 April 1870, Page 3

Tidal Dißtuebance. — Some speculation was occasioned on Thursday morning by the discovery that the waters of the harbor were repeating, on a small scale, the irregularities which were so remarkably developed at the time the great earthquake of 1868 occurred in South America and the West Indies. The water was as smooth as glass on Thursday, but at frequent intervals, a heavy ripple was observed some distance from shore, and the water would then rush in some twenty or thirty yards, and as rapidly recede, in some cases quite as far below the proper water line. The perpendicular- rise and fall was probably never more than from six inches to a foot, but the' alterations were exceedingly rapid and contiuued during tho whole day. Some individuals attempt to account for the phenomena by attributing it to a heavy southerly sea setting in at the heads, but the idea scarcely affords a sufficient or satisfactory explanation. Others ascribe the disturbance to the occurrence of another tidal wave somewhere, and news from the localities exposed to such disagreeable visitations will be awaited with some interest.— -Independen t, April 9. Rye.— We have been shown a very superior sample of rye (this season's produce) grown on the farm of J. P. Hepburn, Esq., Brooklands, Pleasant Valley, which is well suited for seed, being remarkably clean and free from smut or other detraction. Some of this rye has averaged fifty-five bushels to the acre, and should prove a most advantageous and profitable crop. Now that wo havo a distillery in the province, the inducements to grow grain, for malting purposes are greatly increased, and we anticipate that the farmers will find it to their interest to pay more attention to supplying that for which they will find a near and available market. Rye is used extensively in the manufacture of gin, and as it is a spirit for which there is a considerable demand, and no small consumption, it is more than probable that our distillers will, in a great measure, bo dependent on foreign markets for their supplies. — Waihouaiti Herald. Mikage. — The Oamaru Times says : — " A geutleman i"esidiug in Oamaru, upon whose statement we can rely with the most thorough confidence, informs us that on the evening of Sunday, tho 27th ult., at about 6 o'clock, he observed in the western horizon a mirage of more than ordinary beauty. . Pictured on the heavens, vividly as by a paintor's brush, was a beautiful landscape. In the background were wooded hills, skirting an expanse of country through which two rivers wound their way, like lines of silver, to a large lake, having in its centre an islaud, also covered with timber, near to which several ships lay at anchor. Our informant was not the only person who saw this interesting phenomenon, several other members of his household having gazed upon it with admiration ; one of whom stated that the aerial photograph presented to his oye reminded him strongly of a locality in the North Island. This magic scenery is described to us as resembling that part of Loch Lomond, near Rowerdeuncn. ' Anothee Result of Boiling Down. — Mr. Ludlani, the celebrated flockmaster in the Hutt, recently sent 320 sheep to Major Edwards' boiling-down establishment at Porirua. The sheep were very fati and took two days driving from the Hutt to Porirua. Their average weight was 1401bs ; one stag ram weighed tho j enormous amount of 188lbs. The result of the boiling-down, was a not price of 25s for every sheep.