UPPER SHOTOVER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1489, 29 May 1880, Page 22

UPPER SHOTOVER.

(from ouk own correspondent.) May 15th. The snow which has lately fallen, and is now covering the lower ranges, is a sure sign that winter is close upon us. Taking a retrospective view of the past season, it has been remarkable for two climatic extremes, for while the summer has been the driest in the history of the Shotover, the autumn has been exceptionally wet, scarcely a day having passed without both enow and rain. This is <ho time when one and all are busily engaged iv preparation for the winter campaign. Unfavourably situated as this district is— acceßsablo only by a pack track over a mountain sometimes impassible from suow— -it becomes a duty of residents with climatic exper.ence, to provide themselves as far as possible with the heavier necessaries before the inclement weather sets in.

I think I before mentioned the staple products of the Shotover as being the ounce of gold and the bale of wool, both of which invariably

pass through the banks, which, I am told are adepts at pounding and blowing gold, and are equally good manipulators of a bale of wool, entering into the locks and pieces theory on terms with a Goldsborough's wool warehouseman.

The commonage runs are the topic of conversation, one or two having lately changed hands. It is said the late owners could foresee the complete monopoly of lands by the rabbit and Scotch thistle, the {seeds of the latter having completely filled the air for months past It would be wise, however, before coming to hasty conclusions regarding the thistle pest to make inquiries ; 'for, some years ago, veteran seers stated that the dock would overrun the country, when in three or four years the same weed completely died out. The annual ball in aid of the Wakatip Hospital came off on Friday evening last, and notwithstanding the inopportune time selected, the hall of the Public Library was gaily decorated, when bachlors, benedicts, and, as is usual on such occasions, the ladies, musteredin strong force— a sociable and enjoyable evening being spent. My unavoidable absence prevents a conoise report, but I am informed the whole affair was a grand success, resulting in a < handsome sum being handed over to the institution for which it was designed. [The above arrived a day too late for insertion in our last issue.J