CLYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1155, 17 January 1874, Page 12

CLYDE.

Though our Christmas was a dull one, we managed to have a tolerably lively finish up of the old year aDd the commencement of the new. Alexandra races being fixed for New Year's Day, our Caledonian sports were held on the previous day. A good programme and about £40 to be given in prizes, were the attractions which brought a good muster to the field. There were several well-contested races, tilting in the ring, and the laughable water carrying race, each competitor carrying a bucket of water on his head ; and great amusement was caused by some coming to grief and depositing the water on the spectators. By good luck the day was fine, and all seemed thoroughly to enjoy the sport. In the evening, Mr Clifton and Miss F. Sara gave an entertainment at the Town-hall, which was well attended. A dance took place after the entertainment was over. At twelve o'clock the bells of the town were set ringing, and our Band marched up and down the town, playing lively airs. The washings-up throughout the distriot have been satisfactory and, in some instances, exceedingly good. The escort will be a large one. Harvesting is being carried on with vigour, and the only complaint is the scarcity of labour. lam told that as high as £3 10s per week, and found, is being paid for good farming men. The continued stormy weather has again done mischief to the fruit crop. Large quantities of the smaller kinds of fruit, such as currants and gooseberries, will rot on the trees, there being no one to gather them. Shearing has finished at Earnscleugh Station, and the handß have gone on to another Bhed. I have often read of the efforts of the Dunedin folks in going in for early closing, and it has struck me as a strange thing that nothing of the sort has taken place up-country. It is nothing more than force of habit which makes storekeepers keep their stores open for 14 or 15 hours a day, as I am sure tlie whole of the business could be done in half the time, and half a day could be well spared one day in the week. If this system were adopted, those employed and others might get a little rational enjoyment, instead of the continued grind from Monday morning till Saturday night, and none would be any worse off in the end, but would no doubt be much benefited by a little relaxation.