LIMEHILLS AND CENTRE BUSH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1903, 24 July 1890, Page 18

LIMEHILLS AND CENTRE BUSH.

July 21. —We are now a month past the shortest day, and the weather has been all that anyone could wish for iiii'winter. We have had several nights' very smart frost, with a slight fall of snow a week ago. The frost cuts down ihe feed, yet I think the benefit) derived by the laud that is turned up for crop more than compensates for all the damage it does. Turnips are standing out well. I see our farmers are feediug largely with chaff. Several of our farmers have started trimming their gorse hedges, they being of opinion that trimming at this? season, when they are oomiug into bloom, saves them spreading. I think some of our farmers might take a pattern from Mr Swale in gorse hedge keeping. His hedges are a treat to see, being, regularly trimmed ' and neatly kept, comparing favourably with any to be seen in this district. Farm work Is well forward, and stock are thriving as a rule. The Wimton Stock Disbasb.— There haß been very little word of what Is generally known as the Winton disease all this season, but I hear that Mr Guuningham has lost two cowb lately by that mysterious complaint. It seems strange that for all the ' experts that have visited the district trying to find out the cause and cure for it no one appears to beany the wiser regarding it. Small Bihds.— The meeting re small bird nuisance was a failure after all, only about six or seven of our smallest settlers turning up. They resolved to strike a rate of Id per acre on all white crops, and several gentlemen were appointed to take lists round and collect the rate, but I have heard no more of it. I have no doubt it is easier striking a rate than oollecting it. However, we shall see if the linneis, &0., are as baokward in collecting their rate /when seed time and harveßt comes. Football.— l ,hear our local football club has broken up. I do not know if this is due to a desire to keep their honours— they having *on every matoh played this season— or if there is another reason. I have heard it whispered that members were very slow at coming up to practise, two of three showing up night after night, only to find the rest conspicuous by their absence. I think It U rather a pity they should have had to take this step, as I fancy there Is the material to make a strong team if they would stick together and meet regularly for ptsutjico* Sinking.— Our skating rink has been rolling on for the last two or three weeks. It has been fairly well patronised, and I have no doubt that under the genial and energetic management of Messrs Stouner and Cunningham it will have a successful season, /