HYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1490, 5 June 1880, Page 13

HYDE.

(from our own correspondent.) June lat. The threshing-mill is in our midst, busily employed on the farms of our settlers, and everyone is engaged helping his neighbour in the important task of preparing the grain for market. The average yield promises to compare very favourably with any other district in the Province, although no very Bpecial attention has been paid to agriculoure as an art, the uncertainty of a market not making it worth while to devote much time time to the land, The 1600 acre block—out of which there are about 600 acres cultivable—has had half of its area applied for. This of course comprises every inch of ground that it is possible to put a plough into. The remainder consists of very high-lying, badly-watered land, rugged and rocky, at an elevation of about 1500 feet above sea level. This fact at once demonstrates the reason of its rejection a3 farm land. Prom the fact of the entire area not being applied tor, it may be thought that the wants of the people are for the nonce supplied, but this would be a great mistake. It would be extravagant in the face of before-recited facts to expect people to occupy land for the purposes of agriculture so situated. The other intending settles therefore intend lying on their oars until more favourable opportunities offer. Mining is again in full swing, thanks to the late copious supply of water. I might again revert to the theory of creating a continual supply of water for mining purposes here, and I think if miners bestir themselves there may be something done to at least ameliorate or augment the water supply. Our miners at Hyde are occupied exclusively in working ground that cannot possibly be used for any other purpose. In fact they have boldly undertaken the Herculean task of washing the towering Rock aud Pillar away. There have been evidences in abundance found along the base of this range that good payable gold may be obtained if water wero forthcoming. I think this is a case for Government assistance. Not a pennyweight of gold has been got at Holverson's diggings by anyone but the lucky in. dividual nimself, although, some dozen miners have boen digging for the past year in the hope of dropping on something to recoup them fjr their labours. Holverson is again at work, aud tolerably sanguine that he has not seen the last of the coveted metal. He is one of the applicants for a section of the agricultural lease block reoently thrown open by Government, I

mMMiauan

A very successful and enjoyable evening was spent at the concsrt and ball given by our Projmes CoinmiMeo on tha eveniog of the 21sli M<iy, Mr John Lavertv, chairman of the comruii.tee, preiHirg. The following ladies and gen l-iHien c minbuted rheir talrucs durtugthe fv-jiing:— Mia^ V;e>om Eigun recitation, "Ljdy OLiyo"; Mit»i Ad ' Una, Ea^nu, »' rig, "T/icßrvw^y 1 ; Mt-O. BayJey, "F.a ! H:r, c -me homo"; MisVd- rd*lia Edgan, "I'm g'isg !l > join thh arniv"; '4i jatßj atß E&y&n, duet; Mm W. Dowling, "The Exile of Etui"; Miaßitchey " Wiifcc- me >■> 3"tl or" ; Mius A. Eag.m. rer:iv<.ti-m, " T.ie HoUi-i'd Faidm"; Mr H W^Lm, "Brighara V- unsr," " German Bai.ri"; Mr R. ff. Browne, "Eile-n Al&nah" and "Molly R twn"; Mr B. S. Booth, grand opening chorus a-id violin obbligato ; Mr Rirchey, " The Sext m," and a duet by Mr and Mrs Ritchey ; Mr 0. A. Skautz, ancordaon selections; Mr Ferdinand Caspar, "Grandfather's Clock"; Mr Newton Eigan, nigger song and danco, hornpipe; Mr W. H. Real, Murk Antony's OratioDj Mr J. M'Alpina, (< The Nose," and "Doyournally"; Mr John Trotter, "Teddy O'Neale," and ''T.d fellow that looked like me"; Mr Alexander Trotter. " Whon the kye come hame"; Mr John O'Brien, "Bmuie hills of Scotland"; Mr John J. Ramsay "Characteristics of Hyde" (original com positim) ; and Mr Wra. Grant, "Bonnie wee wind>w." Comparisons w«uki certainly be invidiuup, ay everyone did his or her level best to contribute to the success of the evening. Masters Hugh M'Auloy, Andrew and Arthur Matheson, and o<car Flamtwk were vociferously applauded for their »Me rendition of their re speothn pieces in a (•ceni from "'GnilUume Tell," as werti nl-o Mutters Georgb Gilchriat, James O'Connell, atid Prttrick Dowling, in " Honest Jacob." Mi-.s Grace Ratnuay and Master Arthur Mathewson somewhat surprised the audience by their distinct enunciation, and thfi admirable confidence they displayed in " The S «lor." A successful and well-a-rauged dancp, under the direction of Mr John O'Brien, terminated the night's, or morning's, amusement. Mr B. S. Booth, with the violin, formed the orchestra during both concert and dance gratuitously, and contributed several very difficult selections from the leading operas. Mr Booth's services on the occasion were highly appreciated. The Progress Committee desire to thank all those who contributed towards the evening's amusement.