SHAG VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2168, 12 September 1895, Page 24

SHAG VALLEY.

.Septbmber 10.— We have had a fortnights jrlovious Bpring weather. On the 31st ult. a sharp thunderstorm passed over the district, the hailstones being larger than peaa. On the 4th inst. a terrifio gale swept the vaUey, and was nt times fearful in its fury. R"»in is much needed, as only a few 6howcr3 have fallcu since the beginning of July. Fakm Work.— Sowing is now almo.st completed, and potato planting has commenced, and is iv uonie cases finished. Aulumn-snwn crops are looking very backward, owing to the ravages of the'inull birds. Fanners are largely to bUnie tor not taking united action, and poisoning them during the rough weather in winter, when feed •was scarce and the birds would have taken almost anything. Spring-sown wheat is just appearing above the ground. Gins? fields are vow putting on a green hue. Lambs are to be seen skippiptr about in fill directions, and look w« 11 considering the tcaicity of winter feed for the mothers. Shag Valley Daiky Factory.— This factory resumes work on Tuesday, October 1. Pe'ition.— A petition to the Waihemo County Council praying that the road from the ■west fide of the factory be cpuied through to the main north road ii in course of ciiculation in the district, and is sure to be largely si?u;d, as it will beuefit s. considerable number of ratepayers. At the last meeting of the council the matter was brought up, but for some icason it was not supported by either the member for the riding or the member for Meadowbank riding, a? they proposed, and it was carried—" Thatthe matter stand orer in the meantime." This information wa3 not reported in either the Daily Times or the lecal paper. If members do not attend to the interests of such a large number of ratepayers there are other men in the district who will. School Concert.— A concert in aid of the Paimerston School funds was gi\«n on Friday sveuinK last, and was wi'U attended. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. The per.orxueni all acquitted themselves creditably, especially the school children under Mi«a Roburtsou, %he mistrees of the school. The funds buceflted to the handsome amount of about £23. 1 understand that after Mr Gillespie left the chair a gift distribution was held, and was largely patronised.