LOVELL'S FLAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1856, 17 June 1887, Page 17

LOVELL'S FLAT.

July 14.—Excepting the political situation of our Government, the general topic of conversation is the extraordinary spell of fine weather experienced during the past month. Three weeks ago we had a killing frost—lOdeg below freezing point Fahr.—for three nightsjin succession, and vegetation felt the effects, but since then fine calm days have followed. The main and district roads are all in excellent order, and carters experience the advantages of terra firma. The creeks and burns are not swollen high by wintry rains, but are rippling low as is their summer wont, whilst the tanks around our homes possess a hollowness that compels the busy housewife to resort to autumnal restrictions. It is no wonder, then, that the unseasonable weather is the topic of general conversation. Rabbits.—The Ist of June was signalised by a simultaneous battle with bunny. Great preparations had been made in the preliminaries necessary to the successful struggle with the roguish rodent, and at daylight on the day mentioned Ihe attacking force allured the enemy by the tempting bait of phosphorised oats of deadly power, and retired to their homes satisfied that the strategy would work a painful death. I need scarcely add that the result of this simultaneous poisoning is very satisfactory, for the dead rabbits may now be gathered in hundreds along the hedges and near the warrens, t Ploughing—The long spell of fine weather has enabled farmers to make great progress in the field, but the lea land is still very firm, and it requires four horses for the double-furrow plough. Except for a few difficult patches, the swing-plough is rarely used. Blue Ribbonisjc.—The local Gospel temperance band of warriors have again started their meetings for the winter months. The meeting

held on the 3rd June was a great success, and showed that ' much care had been taken to make the programme both attractive and Instructive. There is not the slightest doubt that these social gatherings have a beneficial effect on the rising,- generation— for the objects of the meetings is not so m'tieh io Catch the faithless tippler (there are none in this immediate vicinity) as to give the yodng children a temperance education^ for it is from the future of' these that we must expect a nation blessed with temperate habits.