MILTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1936, 2 April 1891, Page 17

MILTON.

March 31— All over tbe distrlot tbe hum of the threshing mill is heard from daylight till dark. Where the threshing mill is not heard stacks may be seen rising up with mushroom-like rapidity. On every side the hills and fields tbat lately were thlokly dotted with stooks are beginning to show brown and bare, and soon there will be nothing to remind us of the harvest that has gone. The potato crop all over the plain has been exceedingly good. The dry season has been very favourable to their growth ; nobody I think can growl very muoh if at all at their potatoes. Some o' the more energetic of our farmers are already ploughing up some of their land to receive the full benefit-, of the winter froit. A considerable quantity of lime is being used I notice, the favourite method of transporting it being to cart it all the way from the limekilns in preference to having it railed from thence, owing to the heavy freightage. Some of the farmers come a considerable distance for their lime, and can only make one or two trips per day.

Babbits.— The rabbits are very plentiful on the hills and at tbe back of the ranges, and there is plenty of occupation for rabbitera during the winter. It seems a pity to poison them when it pays ao well to trap. One or two men who go in for systematic trapping in thit district send about four or five sacks full of rabbits by train every morning. Anyone with a little energy and perseverance could knook out a comfortable living at trapping rabbits here.

Expiring Autumn. — The evenings are now getting chilly and the nights frosty, reminding us that winter is near. Already the landscape is attuming autumn tints and the days are getting thort, causing us to realise that summer has really gone. Our local sportsmen are eager to get at the ducks, and are making all sorts of preparations for securing a bag, even to the extent of starting off for a Rood spot to-night (31st) in order to make sure of being first on the ground. I know of three different parties who intend going after the same pair of ducks. They are extremely scaroe here, and anyone who succeeds in getting a brace may consider himself very lucky.

An Amateuk Detective at Work.— l don't think the press have got hold of thit little story. I think it it too good to be kept quiet. A week ago three young fellows were brought up before the court at Milton, charged with stealing a watch from a hut at Manuka Creek. The manner in which the offenders were captured was this : When word was received of the affair from Manuka Creek, the local policeman was from home. The lads, however, had been teen in the township the previous evening trying to sell the watch, and as they were known to have gone to Waihola a certain horsey individual tet oft as a self-constituted limb of the law, in an endeavour to bring them back to justice. When our amateur detective got to Waihola the lad* had just patted through, and, telling tbe landlord to prepare dinner for them, he set off in pursuit. Our detective had recourse to a little Gunning. Coming up to the ladt he began talking to them about the hard times, and, sympathising with the boys in their inability to get work, he said he would shout for them, and asked them to come back to the hotel and have a feed. The poor fellows fell into the trap, and when they had finished dinner the morning express arrived, when they were taken in charge by a J.P. The watch was found in their possession, and then of coune all was plain sailing.