WAIWERA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 17

WAIWERA.

July 30,— Since my last we have had a good deal of rain, but on account ot the wind being generally from the east it was not nccompauied with bo mucu cold as we usually get with rain at this time of the year. At present, however, indications are favourable for a spell of fine weather, which will be very acceptable indeed. FiiEDitfG Sheep.— Feeding straw chaff to sheep is now the rule in this district instead ot the exception. It is rare to see sheep in n turnip paddock now without a supply of chaff in tho locally made boxes. That feeding chaff with turnips pays well there can be no doubt. The sheep »re in the best of condition, while turnips go a long way further thtn under Ihe old system. Mr Edwards, who first tried the feeding chaff in this district, tells me that h.« can keep hundreds of additional sheep on bis farm throughits labour agency, and he is confident that the additional and expense involved will well be repaid, not alone by the extra number of sheep kept, but also by their superior condition. In this connection I may mention that Mr Edwards is adopting a differeui mode o,f ploughing tliis year, The land hitherto has alwayßbeen ploughed in the same direction, which causes the soil to accumulate in high mounds around by the fences, and consequently causing ugly hollows in other places. To avoid these evils, at the commencement of the paddocks the mounds are being turned outward, and all headlauds gathered instead of opened out in the same furrow. By this meaus the paddocks are made comparatively level. For my part I endeavour to reverse the ploughing as much as possible every year, and if possible in every case avoid finishing a hollow furrow twice at the same place.

BLAC X STONE. HlL^j. ' July 28.— Wintry weather has been our guest for the last three weeks in its severest forms. The snow is lying to a depth of about a foot on the lowlands, and on the high ranges to a depth of several feet, otook bn all the uplands have suffered severely, the Bnow having been irozen so hard that sheep could not scrape to get down to the grass. I fear if a good spring does not ensue the death rate will be much mgher than it lias been for some years past. Ourllana.— The members of our local club havtt been enjoying themselves to their heart's content on the icy board. Although their new curling 'dam jra? no.t finished, Mr R. Johnstpne allowed them the ire.c use of his dam 6. and tjiey h*ya consequently been able to play off for their rink and single-handed trophies, the former of which was presented to. the club by their indefatigable secretary Mr J, L. Farqunar, aud the latter by Messrs G. and T, Young, of

Dunedin. The rink medal, after some excellent play, was won by the rink skipped by Mr H. Wilson, and the single-handed " jug " was won by Mr John Dunsmuir. Five clubs being represented by two rinks from each, met last Wednesday at Naseby to compete for the handsome trophy presented by Mr Oallender, of Dunedin, president of the province. The club gaining the greatest number ot points over their opponents was to become the happy possessor of the much coveted prize. At the close of the match it was found that the Otago Central had scored the highest number of points, St. Batnans the lowest. The following lines I think very apropos in their case : — A haggis o' enormous size, Large as Mount Ida hill, A St. Bathans curler may devour, And yet at ice want skill. This quid auld Scotch game I rejoice to see is coming into greater favour than it has hitherto enjoyed. I trust the day is not far distant when we shall see the very " wee ihintfs todlin' rin wi' brooms oot o'er their shouthpr." I see there i 3 a Young Colonial rink at St. Bathans, and from what I hear they are quite able to try conclusions with and hold their own against Borne of the older hands. Advance and prosper, I say, " Young New Zealand" is the wish of a keen curler.

With hound and horn o'er mountain wild Let huntsmen sportive stray ; By purling stream or winding lock Let fishers pass the day; But dearer far when skies are blue Is yon brave icy plain, Where curlers meet to ply the broom And swing the chamelstaue. High in the lift the laverock loves To greet Che rosy morn, And eweet the mavis pours its lay Throughout the scented thorn ; But sweeter far then songs of birds, Or lady's melting strain, The music that the curler loves — The booming chamelstane. O ! green's the isle within the wave, Whereon the Shamrock grows ; Bright are the lands that proudly boast The lily and the rose ; But dearer far that rugged land Fur in the northern main, That claims the thistle and the heath, The broom and chamelstane.

Amusements.— For the past two weeks there has been exhibited in every conspicuous place an elaborate bill of fare, catered for by the Hill's Creek " Black AngeU," and which was to have come off on Friday night last, but had to be postponed on account of the inclemency of the weather — an unfortunate circumstance, seeing that the affair was in aid of a very charitable ease. The young men comprising the troupe, who are all local talent, are to be complimented in endeavouring to help a fellow mortal who has been for long unable to do anything and has no means of support. I hope when the weather permits they may have a bumper house such as has not been seem in the new hall. There is a quadrille assembly every alternate Wednesday night, but owing to the Btormy weather there bas so far been but a small attendance, especially of the fairer sex. Mr A. J. Paterson has been M.C. hitherto, but I am informed that he is about to join the noble band of benedicts ; bo I suppose some other swain will be found to take his place. Tne music is supplied by our local musician, Mr D. Dunsmuir. '