TAI TAPU.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7831, 10 April 1886, Page 5

TAI TAPU.

[FROM OTTB OTTN SOBBMPOKDaNI. j The weather of late has been all that eould.be wished for among" stockowners, but rather a sorry time for the threshing community, who have but little left to do to wind np the season. A splendid rain has fallen here, which has found its way about 2in in the ground in most cases. This has had the effect of giving the grass a good start, and in the absence of frost the stock should hold their own for some time to come. The root crops during this favourable weabher have improved very much, but fears are entertained that a second growth will be the result in the potato crop. During the past week farewell sermons were given in the Wesley an and Episcopalian Churches in this and neighbouring districts. The former (Eev Cohnell) leaves j with the good wishes of his flock. There can be no doubt as to his ability as a preacher. His services must have been appreciated by the majority, he having been persuaded to remain one year after his appointed time. He no doubt considers it time well spent, having left the circuit, I hear, free of debt, which has so long been a burden, and thus leaving a clean sheet for the new comer. The latter, the Bev J. F. Teakle, having a desire to see once more the Old Country, resigned his appointment for that purpose. He has laboured for the past six years in this district', and during that time has made many friends. They being anxious to show their respect for him and regret at his departure, presented him with a purse oil sovereigns. The opening of the shooting season has passed off very quietly. Not many large bags have been made; although living among so many (duckies) several have returned to their homes downhearted, with their guns out of sight, anxious to be taken for anything but a feathered sportsman. We know of three who succeeded in beguiling one poor swampy within theis reach. It is a pity there were not four sportsmen on this occasion, the poor bird could then have been drawn or quartered on the spot. Some like the excuse that the game is scarce this season. Others >: agree that the ducks are scared (of this there is no doubt). Many shots were heard the night previous to April 1, and it is to be hoped (in justice to the honest Bportsman) that more stringent measures will be adopted to prevent a recurrence or bring to light the offenders, who think it no mean thing to break the law in this respect. , '»;,,.'■ Mr M'Veigh, the victim of the late bridge accident, seems to be euchered cm all sides. The horse used for carting water to his threshing machine, by efome means got foul of the reins while the man was filling the tank, causing it to back the dray, with the tank, into the river Halswell. There being no help at hand, and in a very awkward spot, the horse (a borrowed one) was drowned before it could be liberated. ,