LUMSDEN.

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

LUMSDEN.

November 23.— We in this locality are experiencing bitterly cold weather. We are now bordering on Christmas, an I have not had two days together of spring or summer weather thi* season. The crops, grass, fruit, and all vtgrtation are consequently very backward for the time of year. Cold, easterly winds are blowing six days out of seven, and this has been the caae fur nearly three months past, making us all feel more or less out of sorts with oiirselve- ami oih-ro. Agricultural.— 'J he work of this industry seems to be well advanced. Messrs Reid Bros., of Castle Rock, and Marshall Bros., of Five Rivers, , have, I am told, put an enormous amount of work through this sea- on. The managers of these estates apparently believe in the working of the soil with the latest improved appliances and implements, and I take it they find the result to be satisfactory. Pastoral.— Sheep shearing ha 9 begun throughqutthe district— snme of the sheds with a preliminary start of a few days' shearing, and the main *hearing later on. -I am told that the boisterous weather we are having is killing a great number of the newly -shorn sheep in the exposed localities. The percentage c lambs this season is up to expectations, and in some instances betti-r than that of last year. So with faiily good prices for wool aud meat and the prospect of good crops and paying prices the settlers are quite hopeful again, and naturally all other business people are the same, and this notwithstanding the many adverse circumstances attendant on our district, such as locked-up lands and no works of auy consequence going on. Public Works.— The Southland County Council are calling for tenders for county works all over Southland, and I am pleaded to see that we are to have a share of the rates spent in and ai ound our village. I undeivtand that Messrs Clark and Sexton have secured some of the contracts, and by what I know of both I feel assured they will perform their part to the satisfaction of all concerned. } -•Asiusements.— There is very little to be said on this heading. The benedicts' ball (which was a great success) and the Dobson and Mare=chel Company entertainment are the only two items worthy of note up to date, but during the coming holidays we expect to have abuurtance of pleasurable gatherings, such as Caledoniau meetings, races, picnic*. &c. While on the subject of holidays I would like to draw attention to the great concessions that ,Le Railway department is offering to pleasure-seekers and others in the way of reducing railway fares— viz., Id per mile to be charged one way. This surely must entice those fixed, as it were, to the soil in country places to threw aside their yoke of half a lifetime and take a run down and get a whiff of the briny." I hope that the concession may yield profitable results. Education Matters.— Our public school is gaining strength numerically, although severe colds and other slight ailments h»ve interfered greatly with the roll and working of the school. With warmer weather, however, I have no doubt the high attendaace of the past will revive agaiu. Tourist Traffic— l am sorry to- observe that Mi- J. Crosbie's line of coaches is anything but rushed with passenger so far It r< vsl be rather disheartening to Mr Cro&bi*", with buch fir-t-r-la^s i and comfottible vehicles, and the veiy best of horses (and himself as chief Juhu), to be running about 200 miles a week with very few passengers, but I trust that he may have a busy time of it before the reason is out. My remarks re railway fares being greatly reduced should apply to townsfolk as welt as the country people. The former should throw aside the care? of business and shake fiom off their feet the dust and cob- , webs of town life, and take a xun (if even a short one) to thß land of the mountain and the lakes, with the creeks and rivers fiven in. I venture to

say that the time and money laid out on thla would be well spent.