OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume 38, Issue 966, 29 May 1908, Page 3

OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS

HYDE. Splendid weather has prevailed during the month. Frosts have been alight and intermittent, and several welcome showers of rain have fallen. Farm work has now settled into the usual winter routine. Nearly all of the season's crop has been threshed chaffed and marketed, and ploughing is now proceeding on many farms. Some autumn sowing of wheat and oats was done, and the open weather has brought these fields on splendidly, and they now show a strong healthy braird to withstand the winter. Probably in the future much more autumn sowing will take place, as with the past uncertain seasons these crop 3 tand a much better chance than those sown in the epring. Prices for all farm crops are at a high level just now and seem likely to continue for this year at least. The tide of " fashion " which exists in prosaic farming, even as in ladies' column, would seem just now to be turning again to grain grow ingj caused prbably by the fall in the price of wool and the high'price of wheat. The uncertainty <of the seasonß in the Central, however, will •ct against this tendency here, a3 grain growing pure and simple ia too risky, and therefore no great increase in the amount of crops is to be expected ; in fact, in this district a decrease will probably take place. Potato digging is now in and crops range from fair to good. Prices are payable, but when cost of lsboor is reckoned it will probably be found that other crops would be equally if not more profitable. Stock of all sorts are doing well and enter on winter in fine conditjon.'and feed is abundant on both natural and artificial pastures. Fat lambs are still being sent away, and prices are good. In fact, this industry seemsj the most profitable of all branches of fanning at present and the least subject to fluctuations. That this district can fatten lambs is shown by the fact that a draft sent by Mr R. W. Trotter last week to the freezing works at Timaru killed 44.351b5. The local. creamery is still running but will likely close at the end of the month. The past two'seasons have been unfortunate for dairying, but the drop in wool, if it should unfortunately continue, will [probably assist thiß industry. For amusement during the winter a Draughts and Card Club has been formed, the inaugural meeting taking place a fortnight ago, the club starting with a membership of 17, which has now increased to nearly 30. The devotees of the " silent game " are nearly if not quite as numerous as those who adhere to the game played by Bret Harte's Heathen Chinee. The school committee are having a concert and dance to augment their funds on Friday, 29th, and promise a good programme, and it is to be hoped that good weather favours them. The by-eiection contest for Tuapeka iB causing considerable interest here, probably because the Opposition Mr Scott is so well known. In the triangular fight Mr Scott's chances seem very good, and should he win the seat I do not think Tuapeka will have any cause to regret her choice. May 23rd.

KYEBURN. An enjoyable social evening was held in the Kyeburn Public Hall on the 20th March, when a large number of people assembled on the kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Crutchley to do honor to their eldest son, James, and his bride on the eve of their home coming from Dunedin. During the evening tea and cakes were handed round and were much enjoyed by all present. Mr Thomson danced a sword dance and songs were rendered by Mrs Ansell, Miss Mathieson, Mesßrs J. Crutchley and R. Mathieson. Dancing was kept up with great spirit until the small hours of the morning. The young couple were the recipients of many pretty and useful presents. We all join in wishing them long life and happiness The farmers of Kyeburn gave a harvest home on the 10th of April, which was pronounced by all an exceptional success. In spite of the very wet night a large number journeyed from Naseby, Upper Kyeburn, WaipiBta, Hyde and Green Valley. The hall was taatofullly decorated with evergreens for the occasion. Mr Geddes gave eeveral selections on his phonograph and eeveral songs were given during the evening. Messrs R. Amies and W. Mann acted as M.C.'s and Messrs A. and C. Douglas supplied the music, assisted by Messrs Geddes and T. Blanchard.

EANPURLY. ' During the laßt few months big improvements have been made in the railway station yard here. A well, Which gives a grand supply of water has been Bunk, ; and two large vatß, with the capacitiy of 6000 gallonß each, have been erected. There will always be e big supply of water on Jiand now, and there will be no fear of the engines having to wait for the tank 'v> fill, as they sometimes bad to do, A large coal bin is also being erected, and a erane and coal bucket for loading the engine is being put up. On aecount of tho increased traffic on the Una a train examiner iB to be stationed here shortly. A start was made on the fencing of the Recreation Ground last week. This ground, which consists of 11 Acres, when put in order, should be one of the best for pporting purposes. A number of footballers turned out On Saturdry afternoon, 23rd inst., and made start to put their new ground