OPHIR AND TINKERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2164, 15 August 1895, Page 22

OPHIR AND TINKERS

August 12.— Severe frosts are still beine expe« rienced, and stock that have survived so far will have a trying time for a month or two yet. Farmers fortunate enough to possess surplui stock should realiss to advantage ere long. The Late Rent Meeting.— A great number of settleis attended a meeting at Ophir on Wednesday last (court day) in response to Mr John Pitches s advertisement, which appeared in th« Dunstau Times, in reference "to approaching t,h« Government with the object of obtaining a remission of rent, a 9 the extreme rigour of the present winter will press heavily on all Crown tenants. Mr W. Leask, who occupied the chair.

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Ijriefly addressed the nieeting, and Mr John fitches explained his reasons for calling them (together. Mr T. Spain moved the following resolution, and Mr Pbin seconded— " That in consequence of the heavy snowfall that has been experienced in this district, it is necessary to aek the Government to . remit one year's rent to tenants." — Carried unanimously. A committee tonsisting of the chairman, Messes J. Pitche«, T. Spain, D. Nicholson, A. Blown, and J. Aitkenfiead, with power to add to their number, were Appointed to embody the foregoing resolution and to forward the petition to the Minister for Linds. In speaking to a number of farmers residing in Ihe vicinity of Blacks, I ascertained that some bad experienced exception ally severe losses. One farmer informed me that he did not expect to Bave 200 sheep from his flock of 800. Others have pven fared worse than this, and will lose not only aheep but a great number of cattle. It is simply impossible at present to furnish an estimate of the probable loss of stot-k, as maijy stockowners fcanuot give any idea of their losses. It is to be hoped that Grown land tenants will be successful in petitioning for a remission of rents. Cbntbai Otago A. and P. Association —This Association's committee also met on Wednesday la6t, the president (Mr J. M'Arthur) presiding. November 15 was fixed for show day, tho amount of jGIOO to be gives in prize money. The following were appointed a Programme Committee : —Messrs A. Jopp, W. Laidlaw, W. S. Laidlaw, J. M'Arthur, W. Brown, P. Anderson, J. Harley, W. and S. Leask. Tuo op War —A contest between teams repreBenting Tinkers and Alexandra South is to take place at the latter place on the 31st inst. for £10 aside. The sum of £5 is already deposited.