OTAUTAU.

Otago Witness, Issue 2083, 25 January 1894, Page 22

OTAUTAU.

January 20.— The weather during the last month of the year was cold, and hardly a day passed without an occasional shower, causing the fahearing to be a very protracted affair, and the wool light on account of the yolk not beiDg up. With the advent of the New Year arose, as regards the weather, a new order of thiDgs, and for the past fortnight or so the heat has been very great, the temperature being sometimes SOdeg in the shade. Some rain would now be acceptable.

Crops.— ln this district the cereals promise an abundant yield, and turnips on the whole seem to have quickly shot out of reach of the fly, and look healthy. Harvest will be rather later this year than usual, and will not bo general for about a month from now. Ryegrass is being cut for seed, but I do not think there is a large aiea under this crop. , Picnic. — The Good Templars, who are numerically pretty strong in Otautau, held the first of what I suppose can now bs called their annual picnics a week or two ago, when an enjoyable outing was indulged in. Cricket.— The club here is a great success, and includes several very good players. Angling. — I am sorry to be unable to say much about the gentle art in the Jacobs and Otautau rivers this season. I expect the water will be rather too low and clear at present for much good sport, but for my next epistle I will make inquiries and report thereon. Towards the close of the year, however, I saw a large salmon trout caught near the Double Cabbagetr'ee ford on the Jacobs, which shows that the fish are still to the fore and are thriving well.

Circus. — Last Tuesday Hayes's Equestrian Troupe gave a performance in this township, and were well patronised.