STONEY CREEK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1682, 25 May 1904, Page 26

STONEY CREEK.

(From Oua* Own Correspondent).

An epidemic of influenza swept over the district last week. A most peculiar and amusing thing in connection with it was the fact that all the victims fell ill on the same day. In the school all the staff and twenty-one children fell sick on the same day. It is supposed that some atmospheric disturbance caused the outbreak. Perhaps Mr Wragge could explain the phenomenon? The farmers have set their faces sternly against shooting without permission. A large number of town sportsmen have been warned off. The formers are not to blame, but rather the selfish sport, who shoots out your land and departs without leaving a single bird. Bucks are very plentiful on the lagoons. Some very decent bags have been obtained. The swamp birds are very shy this season and not many have been seen.

Property continues to change bauds. Mr Grove has sold out to Mr Nightingale of Palmerston. Mr Buchanan has bought 'Mr * Dwyer’s fine property on James's line, and. Mr Richards has entered into occupation of Mr Cotton's place on Roberts's line. Mr Vaughan has leased Mr Dorset's plaie, and the rental is, it is understood, «£6O per annum. Tins is a good "figure for 28 acres more or less, and shows that property here m not experiencing a slump. There is no doubt the fine terraces near the railway line are the attraction. The fall in the price of butter fat will seriously affect farmers. It is to be hoped thao prices will soon return to their former level. There is one thing,

however, the fall cynnes in the slack sea. son. Since the hall has been enlarged dancing has become very popular. A most enjoyable dance was held last Friday. About sixty couples attended, and dancing was indulged in till an early hour in the morning. The new floor was rather rough, but this will disappear in time. Mr McPhail is making extensive additions to his store, and I hear it is his intention to build a large warehouse next to> the hall. The weather is the mildest experienced for many years. A succession of cairn days has excited wonderment as it is such an unusual thing at this time of the year. May 18th.>