LONCRIDGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2087, 22 February 1894, Page 22

LONCRIDGE.

February 19.— The busy, hopeful, but withal anxious, time of harvest is once more with us. On some of the earlier farms cutting began fully two weeks ago, and in some instances leading in is in progress, but on the majority of farms cutting has only become general. The crops are lighter than usual, a fact due, I fancy, to the excessive wet of November and the early half of December. ' Rust has made its appearance, but not to an extent calculated to do any serious damage. The late boisterous weather has not done any great amount of harm. If we could only get three or four weeks of seasonable weather we should have little to grumble about. The turnip crops where they have a fair chance at all promise well ; but where a stubble field was simply ploughed, harrowed, <fee , sorrel is the predominating growth, even where the drill and manure have been use.

Improvements. — A considerable amount of roadwork— forming, metalling, and bridgework— has been done throughout the district during the summer months. The contracts have mostly been finished for some time, so the work of graincarting should be easier than in former years. It is only a question of a very few years when all the principal roads will be metalled— indeed, all the worst places have even now been attended to. Ecclesiastical— ln consequence of the death of Mr G. Allan, one of the elders of this wide Tauringatura parish, the Lumsden congregation have decided to appoint two elders. Three candidates were nominated, and Messrs A. Small and A. Kay were elected. The congregation held a soiree on the 14th inst. for the purpose of raising funds to wipe off the last remaining debt on the church, which was opened Borne two years ago. Only i!2O remained to be collected. I did not hear if the soiree netted that amount, but, judging by the size of the gathering, it must nearly have done so. The ladies of the congregation provided the tables in their usual liberal style. After this part of the entertainment the company were treated to a large and varied programme of duets, glees, songs, &c , and addresses both humorous and practical by the Rev. Mr Baird, of Winton, and the Rev. Mr Kydd, of Dipton.