STEWARD SETTLEMENT NOTES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11774, 29 October 1912, Page 4

STEWARD SETTLEMENT NOTES.

(From'bur Own Correspondent.) -Since writing last, farm work has been "v«rv ; rirucb..-'delayed by the heavyrains which fell on fche-16.ch and 17th. ihc: grouiul);;oi>.sueh a soaKiiig. that ic was lmpossiolc to do anything in the wav of cultivation. Then,'to niiis'h up with, we had a gale...which assumed cyclonic proportions, and. for a short time at the height or its force oms could not teHwnat wasgoing to happen. 'Considerable damage was done in some instances. Mr Davys (on the Ferry Road) saw 47 gum trees levelled around' his bouse, one tailing so close that it smashed a window. He had also the misfortune to have some outhouses knocked down by the falling trees, and a calf killed. Mr M'Donald, at the Homestead, also had a lot of trees levelled and a lot of other people suffered minor losses. Tli3 effect of the cold wet weather has been felt very much, and there has been a fair amount of loss among lambs. The grass also has lost its growth, and some people are beginning to, find it scarce enough who are heavily stocked', but a few warm days will soon remedy that matter. 'The weatlier seems to have taken a turn for the'" better, and the teams are to be seen again at work getting ground ; ready for rape and'turnips. Lamb-marking is pretty well over, and the general, opinion! is that the percentage is only an average one, nothing unusual except in a few isolated cases. The Waita'ki lias 'been- very high, causing considerable damage and inconvenience to settlers- with paddocks on the river flat, this being the worst flood since the estate was settled. Much damage has been done to grass and fences, and a lot of valuable land washed'away.

The . "Fishermen's Reserve" at the end of the Ferry Road which originally contained 20 acres, will soon have disappeared unless the river takes some other cour.se. Acres have been washed away by the last flood, and the rcsep-e will soon be inaccessible without going •through private property. The Waitaki bachelors gave a ball on Friday night last, and in spite of the verv stormv^.weather the school was comfortably" filled by their guests, and the eitertiinihent Droved a" very enjoyable one. Mr H.. Kelvin, who filled the position of M.C, gave- great satisfaction, as did also the musicians, Messrs C. Pelvin. and J. M'Kenzie. 'Songs and recitations were given throughout the evening and very much'appreciated, and before breaking up Mr J. M'Kenzie (■ffilderthorpe), on behalf of the benedicts, thanked the bachelors for their splendid. entertainment. .-.,. ..•,.-/, Our localSscliool'concert coines off on Friday,., and it is said that special efforts are. being made to make a great success. : Given a good night, there is sure to be a large turn out; as the object is a worthy one aiid.deserviiig of support. • • • .... ...ft .