GORE

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 21

GORE

August 2 - — The fine bright and frosty weather experienced here during the past week is having a beneficial effect upon the land. All that is now required is a windy day or two to dry up the excessive moisture owing to the late continuous rains, when ploughing will again be in full swing. There are numerous complaints of heavy mortality amongst sheep, particularly hoggets feeding off turnips. This may be accounted for by the very wet state of the paddocks. In some of these sheep sink down past their knees when feeding, owing to the saturated state of the soil. Sale of Farming Stock, &c— Messrs Pease and Brewer, acting conjointly, held a sale last week at Stoney Creek at Messrs Potts and Eisken's farm. The sale consisted of a large stock of farming implements of all descriptions. Everything was sold at excellent prices. There are sales announced for each day of the week of farming, stock implements, &c, owing to the many changes of property that have recently taken place in the district. The Hokonui Murder.— Great excitement was created in this to"wn upon the_ news of the Bell murder at Hokonui being received here, as it was conjectured that probably the murderer might make his way through the bush and across the Hokonuis into this district, as there is a short cut through to the Mataura. Much sympathy is expressed for the bereaved widow and children.

Departure — I have to record another departure in the medical profession from Gore. Dr Anderson Copland, from Dunedin, who had only been with us a few months, taking charge of his father's practice during his absence, left us last week amidst the universal regret of all who have had occasion to require his professional services. It was hoped that Dr Copland would remain with us to carry on the large practice he had worked up during the short period he was here, but he decided to go Home to # take up additional honours.

Tug-of-War (Gore v. Tapanui).— This event came off on Friday evening, amidst the greatest excitement, and after a prolonged tussle extending to one hour and 35 minutes, the Tapanui men were declared the victors. The Gore men exceeded the Tapanui team in weight by some 11 stone, and all were very powerful men, but they appeared to lack the science and proper training of the Tapanui team. Rahwt Factory.— The Croydon Rabbit Factory closed down yesterday for the season, owing to the Government Rabbit Inspector sending notices to all the settlers round the districts to commence poisoning. The closing of this factory means a considerable difference in the takings of many of the tradespeople of this town, as the factory employs a large number of hands, and all their provisions are obtained here. Besides this a good amount of money is spent when the men came into town. It appears a great pity that trapping cannot be carried on until a later date, as in Marlborough. Last year .no less a sum than L 12.000 was paid for wages, rabbits, &c, and the number of rabbits brought in often exceeded 6000 per day, showing the great numbers the trappers must capture, and which are preserved and sent Home, forming good wholesome food for thousands of people in England, the transit of which increases both the New Zealand railway and the shipping companys' freight returns, but when poisoning is ordered this good food is all lost and destroyed. De vtii. — It is with sincere regret that I have to record the death of Miss Helen Copland, who had been suffering from brain fever for some days. Her father, Dr J. Copland, has just returned from his wedding trip to the old country, and her brother's immediate departure for Home makes it an unusually sad event. Sheep Sale. — Our usual fortnightly sheep sale was held here to-day. About 2000 were penned. Fat sheep, good quality, but a little too light, fetched, from 13s to 10s u'd ; crossbred hoggets, rather inferior entry, from 8s to 10s 6d ; merino wethers, 5s (id to Gs (sd. Gas. — The Borough Council have granted to Mr T. Green and his confreres a concession, or monopoly, for a period of 21 years to supply the town with gas at a stated price. We may therefore look forward to having our tlreets and shops properly lit up at night. Considering that Mataura is shortly to be illuminated by the electric light, I trust we shall have the advantage of the 'same bright light for this rising town, the more so as the water power at the Mataura Falls is .sufficient to generate all that would be required for our use, and it could be carried here by wires from the dynamos.!