BUNNYTHORPE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1726, 29 March 1905, Page 26

BUNNYTHORPE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The continued spell of dry weather* is becoming really serious. Water courses are drying up, And there is no moisture in the grass, so it is feared if rain does Dot soon fail there will be scarcity of winter feed for the stock. Even for household, purposes water is scarce. But for the kindness of the authorities at our dried milk factory and the different creameries, who allow settlers to make use of their artesian wells, there would be a water famine. The Mangaone creek, which, as a. rule, is a rather turbulent stream, is nearly dry except in some of the deeper holes.

Larrikinism, I regret to say, is veryrife around here at present. Not content with systematically going round the different orchards and stripping* the fruit trees, these amiable beings known as larrikins hjyve been tampering with the acetylene gas |>lant at our Wesleyan Church, and last Sunday evening the ser-

vices were long delayed, and considerable trouble was given to find a substitute toi the gas in the shape of kerosene. I heard an amusing - anecdote respecting a band of orchard robbers. There were six in the gang, and it had been arranged to rob a certain orchard, but when the evening came on which the expedition was to set out three of the gang pleaded “■urgent business,” and could not possibly go with the others. So off the latter started, and when fully occupied) filling their bags, pockets, etc. with stolen fruit, they were startled by the sounds of firearms, and made tracks in double-quick time, thinking the owner of the fruit was after them with a gun. The firing of the gun emanated from the three who could not go with their friends, and they were surprised and somewhat amused to hear their “pals” relating how their legs were h't and what narrow escapes they had. little thinking it was their own friends playing a practical joke on them with blank cartridges. Hai vesting is just about finished. The crops are rather light, and very short in straw. The yield of peas s very good. You hear of trusts in America; well, we have rings here, and they endeavour to keep tlie price of farm produce low, while chaiging farmers the highest prices for stores. Fresh competition is desirable and invited by such conduct. So far I have not heard of any of the potato crops being diseased around here, and 1 trust the crops will go free from the blight. On Thursday evening our local Band cf Hope held its periodical monthly meeting in the W esleyan Church. There was a veiy good attendance, and an exceedingly pleasant evening was spent. Mr John Print presided, and Adjutant Dixon, of the Salvation Army, from Australia, gave two songs with guitar accompaniment and a very interesting speech on Sydney's life. Mr Fowler gave an amusing reading, as did Mies Annie Squires. M’ss Lbxon recited, and Miss Lily Nissen and Mr Print gave a song each. The accompaniments were nicely played oil the oigan by Miss Dixon. Tlio Government Valuer has been round lately and has caused a stir here by the excessive- extra valuation put upon properties. I know of cno ease where the increase in nearly double what it was at the last valuation. Everyone is complaining, and I should not be surprise 1 t" hear of numerous objections being s lit n.