NGAPARA (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2403, 21 January 1880, Page 2

NGAPARA (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. )

Seeing so much in the papers aboat the crops, I have takon some troublo to ascortain both by inquiry from farmors and from personal observation, and find that there is no groat damage done, and the 6ne weather " coming in with the moon" will bo likely to bo permanent. There ia nothing to cry out about as yot. The wheat that I have aeon on the Tables and at Maorowhenua looks well, and is even, with good full heads. Somo of the extra heavy crop ia laid, but the fine broezo and the bright sun of to-day, will, I hope, remedy tho evil. Tho early sown barley is damagod, but not boyond redemption. It will be hard to harvest, and will not be well colored, but tho late sown is simply grand, and will yield woll. Oats are well grown, with a good head. Somo aro cutting for feed, and in ono place that I have soon tho straw is ovor six foot high ; yet the grain is woll formed and largo. Potatoes in most casos show a second growth ; tho frost in tho first instanco having cut thorn down, the rain with warmth causing them to spring again. Tho fow turnips I have soon aro looking well, freo from tho fly, and very largo. Hay harvest is nearly ovor ; tho quality of the sood is good, but tlioro will bo a groat loss, as most of it is ovor ripe, and shods frooly on handling. The foed for shoop and cattle ia very abundant. On the wholo, should the woathur hold it will bo a most abundant harvest, but it will be lato. lam informed it will bo fully throo weeks before tho reapers are in full swing ; tlioro are plenty of harvest hands about waiting, and anxious for tho time. Tho gardens about tho township aro looking well, moro especially that of Mr Leith. It is a mass of bloom, and shows clearly what can bo done by anexporiencod hand. Wo have had great excitement hero of lato, so many letters appearing in tho evening paper. Somo of course aro harmless, and wore only intended for fun at this festive season ; but ono in partial l.ir I will refer to, that of tho scone on Now Year's night. Well, I have this to say, that it was tho quietest I ovor spent, Tho usual tin-kettling and oxohango of Iho glass took place, but there was nothing liko rowdyism or wanton injury to proporty that I havo witnessed in other places. As to tho diroct charge of drunkenness and gambling on tho Sunday it is simply untrue, as far as outward appearance goes ; tho porson who wroto tho lotter must know moro than it is the lot of others to know, if such things do occur. That tho town looks lively on Sunday is a fact, for wo have visitors from Livingstone Duntroon, Maorowhonua, and Windsor ; but I strongly dony any outward broach of the law. The school children had a grand picnic on Thursday last, with abundance of ovory thing in tho oating and drinking way, with plenty of toys as prizes for tho youngsters. Tho " oldsters" appeared to enjoy themselves — dancing on tho green to the violin music of a woll known resident, who is always willing to give his services. After the return to town Mr Campbells loft waa cleared, and a most enjoyable dance was kept up till about three o'clock in the morning. The school has ro-oponod, I am informed, with an increased numbor of children, but will break up for tho harvost shortly. Tho place is putting on a rather substantial air, atone chimneys taking tho place of stovo pipes, and an abundanoo of paint being used. We had a meeting of farmors a fow days since to forma Fanners' Club. They moot again this day week ; in tho moan time somo of the other Farmers' Clubs havo been written to for rules and other information. I hope it will bo a succoss, as it may do good to tho district.