COUNTRY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11938, 11 January 1901, Page 7

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From Odb Own Comespondknts.) LAKE WANAKA. ALBERTOWN, December 24,—We have at last got into summer weather, though the days are not very hot, and breezes of wind make the air cooler. Wo have had sundry showers of rain, which have kept the crops growing and in good heart. Before the warm weather came we were lucky in getting some showers which wet the ground through to the subsoil. Last Wednesday morning we had a good downpour for about a couple of hours. There are large areas of oats down this year, and very little of wheat; but there is already enough wheat iu the stacks and bags to carry through for another year. Some people think'that oats will be .cheap after harvest; but there are others who think the prices will be high owing to the extra number of dredges that will start, necessitating a larger number of horses to cart coal for them.

S.JI. Court.—At the recent Pembroke S.M. Court there were a couple of cases which are of interest, owing to the precedent they established. The first one upset all preconceived views on the subject. . Mr Ewen Cameron, sheep farmer, Porkß, sued Mr George Miller, manager of Wanaka station, for tho price of his dog, which Mr Miller shot two years ago in Mr A. Wilson's garden, while Mr Cameron temporarily lived in Pembroke. Mr Miller's defence was, and his fivo witnesses supported him, that Mr Cameron's dog was a sheep worrier; that while not actually caught killing a sheep, ho was seen chasing them, and therefore ho was justified in lulling him tho first time ho got a chance. Mr Cameron contended that a dog can be killed only when caught in tho act of killing a sheep, and he was always qnito prepared to pay any damage tho_ dog might have done. After much argument, judgment was reserved, in ordet that Mr Burgess, the magistrate, might consult-certain lawbooks at Queenstown. Eventually judgment was given for Mr Miller, so that the old belief is now. reversed, and a deg that can be proved to be a worrier can bo killed anywhere and at any time. In the Warden's Court, Mr Patrick Colter prayed that two heads of water run flown its natural course, thus depriving Mr Donald M'Lcan of this stream. Mr M"Lean holds the farm at Lagoon Valley, formerly held by Mr Morris Curran, and Mr Cotter holds a 10-acre section, which originally belonged to Morven Hills station, on which ouo of their station huts stood. This section is inside Mr M'Lean's farms. Mr Burgess, tho warden, visited the ground, and then gavo judgment to the effect that Mr M'Lean's farm was a large one supporting several persons, while Mi Cotter's was a small section supporting one man, so that all ho could allow Mr Cotter was tho water that would flow through a 3in pipe Cft long, laid at a dead level. Since then I notice that Mr Cotter is applying to the warden for permission to enter upon Mr M'Lean's freehold, in order to mark out a raco from Lagoon Creek. Agricultural.—Owing to the backward spring tho crops are likely to be late this season. Generally they are ripe by the middle of January, and some years aro a month later than that; but I think this season will be the latest of all. At Grand View Mr John Kane has a fine crop of barley that is now on the turn, which is quite an excoption to the rest of the crops. At Tarras the crops are always throe or four weeks earlier than the Hawea and Wanaka crops, so that the harvest there will most likely begin early in January. Coal.—l hear that the dredge on the Lindis River will soon be at work. The proprietors lately had a stroke of good luck, as an outcrop of coal was recently discovered on the banks of tho Lindis between M'Pherson's and M'Phee's Flats, to give tho local designations. Thero has been a lot of prospecting for coal on the Hawea Biver, above Camp Hill; but so far tho only result has been that a big seam of very rich shale has been discovered, which some day may have a lot of expensive machinery erected near it for the purpose of extracting tho oil out of it. It is generally believed that a big seam of coal is underneath this shale; but money for prospecting it does not seem to be forthcoming, owing to the expense, I suppose.

Maijs.—lt may be remembered that a short time ago a petition was got up asking the Postmaster-general to grant us three mails a, week; but this petition was not granted, owing to the extra expense. At present the mail that arrives here on Saturday nights comes at a late hour, and the residents who ride a- few miles to the post office get home at a correspondingly late hour. At Pembroke it is impossible to send away a registered letter by return mail on Monday, in reply to any correspondence that may arrive on Saturday night. It would, therefore, be a step in the right direction if the Saturday's mail would arrive here by- midday instead of after dark. To do this it would bo necessary for tho up mail from Dunedin to arrive in Cromwell on the Friday night instead of Saturday mid-day, aud then the Wanaka coach could leave Cromwell early on Saturday morning instead of mid-day, as at present.

LAKE COUNTY. Holiday Time—lt goes without saying that wo have abandoned ourselves to feasting and holiday-making for the past fortnight, as did the rest of tho Christian world. It would be useless to enumerate all the forma our rejoicings took; suffice it to say that we were not behind in our outbursts of hilarity, and that we made full use of our opportunities, which are more ample and varied than in many other parts of the world. To help us in our endeavours in this direction, we had the aid of many tourists, who literally poured in upon us to have a good time. The .weather was somewhat mixed, but luckily many of the public events came oft on fine days, and only a few suffered on account of the broken weather. Treasure-troving.—Amongst tho recent deaths was that of a miner who had peculiar ways of his own, and who was known to have been occasionally fairly successful. Though sometimes enjoying an outburst for ordinary decorum, he was generally believed to have a " plant" of nuggets, amongst which was one of Goz. His death being sudden, with nobody near him, lie had not the opportunity of disposing of his property by will or otherwise, or of revealing its existence and whereabouts. First there was a rush for his claim, as it leaked out that he had no miner's right, the ground being, therefore, in the eye of the law, unoccupied, and next followed some quiet treasure-troving for the supposed nuggets, with what result has not transpired.

The Weather and the Crop?.—The opinion that something has seriously gone wrong with out meteorology is steadily gaining ground amongst farmers, miners, and others affected by the doings of the clerk of the weather. Tho leading characteristics of our summer weather, —spring weather we know not—aro that it is either hot and dry, or wet and cold: that is to say, it is always ill-matched. Of late years the cold has predominated, and i( our seasons go on getting mixed up as they have been doing we shall soon have no seasons at all. Spring and autumn nro already wiped out, and winter and summer are getting mixed up in such a manner that it is sometimes difficult to say which is which. Time was when harvest began about tho middle of January, and was over by the end of February. Now it is often Mardi before harvest becomes general, lasting until { the end of May. It baa long been the local ! experience thivt seed time nnd harvest timo | como together; now seed time precedes the '' harvest to the relief of the farmers. In some measure tho constant cropping of the ground, no doubt, accounts for the lateness of the harvest, and farmers would do well to take the hint Nature is giving them. In spite of this our settlers are prospering and content, even . to growing bank accounts, and dabbling in. j dredging shares; land is rising in price, and J there is general prosperity amongst them. As j a further proof of the vagaries of our climate, it may bo mentioned that Mr White, of Victoria Bridge, Kawarau, has a famous crop of fall-sown oats, fit to be cut, and it is also upon record that a phenomenal yield of barley was obtained from a fall-Eown crop from another part of tho district. But these examples can scarcely be held up as models for general adoption. It happens that this year tho harvest will be even later than any previous year unless a blast of tropical heat matures the crops in a hurry. Wheal, especially, is backward for the want of warmth; barley, too, is a, long way behind time, and so are oats. There is a promise of a plentiful supply of fruit of all kinds, and of codlin moth and scale blight. Grass and green crops generally never looked better. j

WYNDHAM. January s.—Wo have had beautiful weather here this last month—in fact, it has been much warmer than we usually experience in this-district, even at this time of the year; consequently sheep-shearing has gone on apace, the only drawback in this line to sheep-owners being the great scarcity of shearers. llowevei, most of the large stations and the greater number of the farmers have finished, but there is ■ still a number of small flocks to bo shorn yet. In most cases the clip is good, but the low price of wool will be a serious drawbari: this year to runholders and farmers. Holidays.—Tho annual sports were held at ■Mendale on Christmas Day. The day was fine, and there was a good attendance of the puliljc. Picnics wore held the same day at Mimihau and Glenham respectively, and were also well attended and very much enjoyed by those who participated in them. New Year's Day.—Tho annual race meeting attracted a large attendance. Rain fell in the early hours of the morning, but by noon tho day wa3 perfect. Tho courso was in good order, and the racing was watched with considerable interest by the spectators, amongst

Advice to Mothers!— Are you .broken in J your rest a sicl; child suffering with the pain of cutting teeth? Go at once to a I chemist and get a bottle of Mrs Wihslow's Soothing Sra'r. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is perfectly harmless, and pleasant to the taste; it produces natural quint' sleep by relieving the child from paiu, and the ' little cherub awakes " as orighfc as a button." It soothes the child, it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves wind, rcgulnte3 the bowels, and is the best known remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes. Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup is sold by Medicine Dealers everywhere at Is lid per bottle.—Advt.

whom tho fair sex was well represented. Two thousand and sixty-eight pounds passed through the totalisator during tho day. TUAPEKA WEST. January 7—The weather of late has been'dry and hot, particularly so iu the early part of Decefnber, which had a very damaging effect on grain crops and grass, both of which had a very withered appearance. Fortunately a few showers fell about Christmas, which altered tho appearance a little, but the hot weather will have its effect on all crops, as it has brought forth the shot blade too soon, consequently tho straw will be short and light. The turnips will also suffer from tho drought, as there was a large area sown in December, and iu several cases they had to be sown over again. Shearing.—This operation is nearly all finished, aud so far as the bulk of tho wool is concerned it is good, on account of their being plenty of turnips and winter feed. Sheep kept their condition well last year. Wool prices aro very low just now, but sheep and lambs are selling well. Several lines of hoggets have been sold off the shears this season for 17s Gd each, and good lambs are sought after for as high as 12s. Grass Paddocks.—Grass harvest is just commencing, but tho area for seed purposes is small this, season, as it pays better to graze it than savo it for seed, as it is so low in price. . PATEAROA. January s.—ln common with other localities, we have had tho benefit of a regular succession of most welcome rains within the pas't week or two. This is a very thirsty country, and though it has hardly over been known to have a drop too much, it is often in need of a drink, and never refuses the invitation of tho clerk of the weather to "have another." The soil of the extonsive Mauiototo Plain is not exactly of No. 1 Taieri quality, but, like somo otherwise closefisted men, just moisten it sufficiently and it will astonish you by its liberality. Mining.—Messrs Stewart Bros, have removed their elevating plant to a claim lately pegged off by them on the creek flat, and are now busy opening up a paddock. Tho ground within a few yards of the elevator has been proved by a shaft to carry a little gold from top to bottom. Tho depth of the ground thereabouts varies from a few feet to any depth you like. There can be littlo doubt of the payable naturo of portions of the claim; as to tho others, their remunerative qualities aro strictly incog. Exit Hoggets.—Shearing at Linnburn is being much delayed by the broken weather. A rather severo loss was met with last week, the bulk of about a thousand merino hoggets that were turned out after being dipped off tho shears having succumbed to the inclement weather which prevailed at the time. CLYDE. January 5.—A warm rain has cleared the mountains of snow, and to-day wo havo had a warm, high wind that has dried things up a bit. Dipping tho Lambs.—The Borough Council of Alexandra has instructed ono of its councillors to procure sheep dip for the purpose of disinfecting the town. I am told that several shorn lambs outside the borough are about to take this opportunity of having a dip at tho expense of the Borough Council, whose wisdom in procuring a cheap cleansing fluid is indeed commendable. Sickness.—The presence of diphtheria at Alexandra caused some uneasiness to the residents, but it appears the disease has failed to spread, aB no cases save the one have been reported. A noticeable feature of any outbreak of diphtheria at Alexandra is that the disease is first reported at jJannockburn, and then Alexandra usually follows. Clyde, though lying between these two places named, invariably gets clear of the malady. So far as I can find out, diphtheria has never occurred at Clyde. Tho cause of our immunity from tho malady awaits solution, but though unknown it certainly exists, and it would undoubtedly be worth discovering. LUMSDEN. January s.—Hot, wet, and windy weather has prevailed of late, greatly interfering with the maturing of the crop and retarding and stinting more or less all other vegetation. Agricultural—All that the farmors can do at present is to watch and wait. No doubt tho meteorological disturbance of late is causing no small amount of anxiety amongst tho croppers aud cockatoos; but I think thero is no cause for alarm so far. Tho crops are looking very well around here; in fact, it in said by those who have had the opportunity of comparing that our district and croo3 aro look-' ing as far advanced as anything they havo seen this side of Mosgiel. Pastoral.—Sheep-shearing has been greatly retarded of late through tho broken weather.. That we are no worse off than other neighbouring centres may be a slight solace; but it does not add to the profit side of the annual balanco sheet, which is the all-important factor with us. WAIKOUAITI. January 7.—We are getting splendid weather now, and everything is looking the better for it. I notice some exceedingly fine paddocks of wheat here and there, and some good oats; in fact, all the crops seem to be very good except the potatoes, and they aro very patchy; indeed, I fear the crop of this root will be almost lion est. The Game Laws.—l am sorry to strike a discordant note,, but I wish to caution readers, especially visitors, against discharging firearms in the borough. It is not well enough known that tho Domain is a reserve for native game, and that no firearms may be discharged on it in any case. Mr W. H. Lidstone found it out to his coat the other day. He took a pot shot at a bird with a. pea-rifle, and the bird turned out to be a paradise duck, a feat which cost . him £1 as a fine with 7s costs, besides another fine of 5s and 7s costs for discharging firearms on the reserve. I hope the presiding justices (Messrs A. G. Heid and A. S. Orbell, J.P.'s) spoke strongly on the matter, and I think if any other case of the same sort crops up the next offender will not get off so lightly. In my opinion a. heavy license fee should be charged for pea-rifles, as they are exceedingly dangerous things in inexperienced hands, and the ammunition being cheap, there is a great temptation to crack away at everything, from a lark to a. swan.