ALFORD FOREST.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7222, 23 April 1884, Page 6

ALFORD FOREST.

[from our own correspondent.]

From our naturally elevated situation the sight of innumerable columns of black smoke in the distance marks the site of the various steam threshing machines busily engaged attempting to turn a bad season as to weather into a good one. With regard to quantity little can be said, but complaints are general as to condition, besides which the reduced prices quoted deter growers from threshing more than will just carry them along till spring. The majority will hold the bulk, of their produce till then, feeling convinced that the low prices must advance from some unexplained causes, for to those who read reports of grain arriving and to arrive in Europe from all quarters, there is very little hope for this much to be desired improvement. Travellers of Jmany years 5 standing join the farmers in their prophecy of a hard winter commercially, and the difference in the prospects as things are, to what they would have been under ordinary favourable conditions, excites the gravest alarm. On Sunday last. Church of England service was conducted by Eev F. Garbett, and the Easter hymns were sung most heartily by a fair congregation. In addition to the usual psalmody, it is intended to chant various parts of th'e service when the choir is sufficiently advanced. Next ' Sunday Presbyterian service will be conducted by the Eev McLennan, and the next Church of England service will be on May 11. A soiree is to be held shortly in aid of the Presbyterian Church funds, no doubt with its usual unqualified success.

. Two fine gravestones have been placed in the new cemetery; on* over the grave of the late Mrs Pollock, the other over that of John Grieves, and a third, that of Mr P. M‘Neil, will be in position before long. Mr A. Pollock is both designer and sculptor of all three, which reflect the greatest amount of credit upon his taste and skill. The stones, which are very close grained, and smoothly worked, were obtained in this locality. A stock and general sale was held at the Alford Forest Hotel, on Thursday last, in the newly-erected stockyards. Mr A. Harrison, of Ashburton, was the auctioneer. A fair amount *f stock changed hands, though prices were certainly hot in favour of the sellers. It may be remarked that farmers down the plains cannot do better than buy things from this neighbourhood, as they are hardy, and sure to improve immensely on richer pasture, and in improved temperature. Several buyers from Ashburton were present, and it is intended to hold the next sale in about two months 5 time. On the return journey, Mr E. Boyle, of Ashburton, was pitched from his horse, which ran into a wire fence, but, assistance being at hand, he was conveyed home, suffering temporary injuries only. One of the most unpleasant results of the sharp frosts experienced early in the season here is the complete failure of the potato crop, rendering us entirely dependent upon outside resources. Last year gave a most satisfactory return, but this year, in many instances, the weight of seed sown has not been recovered..

While the issue of the Rakaia Railway Company against Mr Wason resulted favourably to the defendant on technical grounds, there is considerable interest manifested as to what will bo the next proceeding. A petition to the House of Representatives to upset the Company’s Bill would be signed by nine out of ten interested.

Professor Friedrich Klinkerfues, who committed suicide at Gottingen, on Jan. 28, was an astronomer of considerable reputation, and the author of numerous publications on his observations. He discovered several comets, deceased, who was 57 years of age, shot himself at the astronomical observatory, of which he had been director for many years. The motive is attributed to the recent loss of his entire fortune.