UPPER TAIERI

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 29

UPPER TAIERI

Novembkr 25.— The elements of late have been very severe. The quantity of rain that has fallen in this district during the past we^k has been something enormous, while the towering heights in the back country at the time of writing are covered with a mantle of snow. The high wind that has prevailed here for some days past has been piercingly cold, and keenly felb by the 6tock that are at present depasturing in the higher regions of the district. As a set-off, however, against the cuirent bad weather, I may note that the early months of the current spring proved exceptionally fine, and all that could be desired by the flockowneri after the Bevere snowstorms of the previous winter. Lambing.— The lambing season has almost closed, and a few remarks may be deemed opportune. In the first place, it is worthy of note that in many instances the ewe flocks suffered from a scarcity of grass during the period of lambing, and some time after, owing to the high winds that prevailed and the absonce of rain combined. Despite these facts, and the low condition of the breeding flocks after the terrible winter that had to be surmounted, the percentage of lambs on Puketoi, Patearoa, and Linburn stations respectively iB quite up to the standard of expectation by the several owners. The grass is assuming a rapid growth throughout the district. Young Ducks.— lt is gratifying to report that the current season has proved an exceptionally prolific one, as broods of young dudks are to be seen in the lagoons for miles in the course of the Taieii River In the locality of Newman's homestead the grey ""ducks abound in large numbers. It is only a few years ago that swans were liberated here, and now a large number of that species are to be met with everywhere. Judging from the large number of waterfowl sailing to and fro, I should cay that a rich harvest of tha winged species is in store for the sportsmen coming here later on in quest of game. Station Labour.— As a result to be anticipated consequent on the severe past winter, the rates of wages to the station hands during the ensuing shearing season have been reduced in several instances by the different managers in this district. In many instances contracts have been made with the shed hands to be paid by results, or the number of sheep shorn through the sheds, at per 1000 sheep. The shearing rates have, lam glad to report, been fixed at the old price of 153 per 100 sheep. At this early stage it would be deemed preniature to express an opinion in respect to the quality of the current clip. I shall, however, furnish a report on this product later on. Mining Enterprise.— lt has transpired from a certain influential quarter that a wealthy syndicate is making inquiries about the Serpentine quartz reefs, for the purpose of testing their auriferous resources by a practical bwid of miners later on. It is a fact worthy of remark that the broad expanse of the Serpentine range has, since the early gold discoveries of Otago in the sixties, supported a mining population on a minimum scale— both European and Mongolian— in very comfortable circumstances. It will not surprise your correspondent, or many other residents either to see an -influx of miners here later on. The_ drawback hitherto has been the want of capital and a mining expert, combined with powerful machinery of tue latest type, to test the numerous reefs extending over an immense area of country, including the Greeks, Canadians, and several other gold-bearing localities, where rich deposits of the metal have been struck. Prospectors have to my certain knowledge returned there year after year on prospecting bent. As we are now passing through a very depressed period, the mining intereots should certainly be conserved by the Government of the day for the benefit of the labouring classes. It is gratifying to add that a number of young men are to be met with on the range 3on prospecting bent. . i