MILTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 23

MILTON.

February 6.— A heavy gale broke over here early on Saturday morning, and did an immense amount of damage to both crops and fruit gardens. All the crops about the plain are lying Hat and bruised on the ground, and the greatest difficulty will be experienced in cutting them, as very few will rise again. In some parts where they were further advanced the grain has been shaken very badly, and the fields present the appearance of having been rolled and afterwards flailed. The gardens suffered no less, some trees being completely stripped of fruit, while others were blqwn out of the ground. The fruit now remaining 'is bruised and cracked, and will never sell for eating, its only place being the iam pot. Near the centre of the town two large forest trees (a Pinus insignus and a macrocarpa) were blown clean out of the ground, the roots being snapped like threads. Such, a gale has not fceen experienced here for years, and people will not readily forget the one that raged throughout Saturday morning. Harvest. — Cutting has commenced generally through the district. Heavy yields will be the exception rather than the rule this year, but a few big results are expected from the south end.