OTARIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2120, 11 October 1894, Page 22

OTARIA.

October B.— Having had beautiful weather this spring, the farmers have nearly all finished sowing. There is about the usualarea under oats, despite the poor prices ruling: but a great uum. ber of farmers are sowing their lands down in grass, and going in more for dairying and sheepbreeding, as they find it simply means ruination to grow oats at present prices, besides taking the heart out of the land and lessening its value. Pastoral.— l believe the present season is the best I. have seen in this district for lambing. High percentages will be the rule, as the weather has been simply glorious for the lambs ; but the grass is not as good as it generally is at this 'time of the year. We have had several sharp and severe frosts lately, which have done much to retard the growth. As for old pasture, there is no life whatever in it yet, and as the turnips are now all done, the ewes have had quite enough to do to tupport themselves and their lambs. I saw a splendid lot of lambs on Mr James Elliott's farm. They were real beauties, and it was evident that great care and attention had been bestowed ou them. Mr Elliott informs 4ne that he has fully 110 per cent.

Changes. — Mr John Johnston, who for a number of years kept the Otaria Hotel, has left the district, and has now gone to act as mine host of a hotel at Centre Hill. The Otaria Hotel, which was once a well-known landmark in the old coaching days, fell a victim to the prevailing epidemic — prohibition. Railway Matter.?.— Passengers travelling to and from Pukerau have just cause to complain of the accommodation provided for them. The-plat-form is much too 'short. When the train pull 3 up and there is luggage to be put in the guard's van, nearly all the ci triages are past the platform, consequently people getting out ana in have an ugly jump to get down from the carriage, or a terrible climb to get up. It seems strange that the department have done nothing to obviate this state of affairs. Really it is time something was dope in the matter. Perhaps, however, they are waiting till someone meets with an accident before moving in the matter. It is painful to aeo ladies getting out of and into these carriages.