TE ANAU.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 22

TE ANAU.

June 16.— We are now well in our winter season. The end of April and beginning of May were characterised by rather stormy weather. Since then there has been no reason to complain. Light frosts have been the precursors of beautiful sunDy days. The first five days of this week have been specially mild. From time to time enow showers have been seen along the mountain tops to the west of the lake, so that the high peaks are always pretty well draped in white. Earthquake.— About noon on the 7th, the third shock of earthquake experienced here this winter was felt. It was of a pretty decided character, causing one lady who heard the rumble and intended to note the duration to forget to count the number of seconds. No damage was done. Prospecting.— Recently a party from Invercargill tried their luck for several weeks in various par bs along the west of the lake. Though they could obtain the colour it remains for the future to tell whether the heavy metal exists in this region in payable quantities. The district lies between the Wilson river and Wakatipu, so there is a probability that gold may be found in it. Whether the sandstone of the southern part of the lake will produce it or not I cannot tell, but I have slight hope of much being found in the granite at the northern end. Coal of good quality is known to exist in many places not very far from the lake shore. The seams of this useful mineral may in time to come prove even more valuable than gold mines.

Climatic— ln the last week of May green peas were pulled in one of the gardens here. This alone speaks volumes for the climate of a spot 700ftabove sea level and so far inland. It shows also the mollifying influence that a large body of water like the lake has on the atmosphere surrounding it. I suppose it is another example of what is said about the Clutha river helping to modify the frosts about the Teviot and other parts of the Clutha valley.

Field Sport.— Game has been fairly plentiful about the lake this season. The great resort of the ducks, however, has been the turnip fields of Lynnwood station, where immense numbers of paradise ducks have taken up their winter quarters Sportsmen who have visited the district have departed well pleased with such abundance.