WAIHOLA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2198, 16 April 1896, Page 28

WAIHOLA.

April 10.— The weather here during the holidays was not so bad as elsewhere. A" though threatening, the threshing was never stopped. The crops are turning out well, and the tui nips are also good on the whole, although in some places the cold windy weather of late has told on them. Ecclesiastical.— Our pastor, the Rev. G. Hall, resigns at the end of the month, although, I beli«v«. he will not definitely leave until his successor has been appointed. The Rev. Mr Chisbolm preaches here on Sunday, 19th. He is appointed moderator, and will declare the charge open. Field Sports.— There is nothing very'startling to report except the experience of some of our local sports on the Ist. One party started off at 12 midnight to a go-d locality that they had spotted a day or so before, but in the dark they ran on a mud bank and remained there until 7 a.m. They shot one "duck" in the dark, but it turned out to be a shag when daylight dawned. Another party of two had a very eventful trip in driving round the head of the lake in a dog cart. The horse came down, luckily on soft mud, the driver landing fully 20yds ahead of the horse. His mate, who had implicit confidence in his driving, had gone to sleep, and was suddenly aroused and found himself standing on his head and mixed up with the horse. However, the only damage sustained was a broken shaft This in a dogcart is rather awkward, but as they were hoth keen sportsmen, Mid bad not far to co, they managed the rest of the distance with one shaft. On arriving at the ground they had splendid spo:t, getting nine brace of ducks. As the weather was by this time very wet, and standing about was rather cold, they decided to return to thf shore for shelter. However, as one who was particularly anxious not to gat wet was stepping ashore, he put his foot on the bank, and at; the -anie time shoved the boat away with his other foot, the consequence being that he landed up to bis waist in the water, much to his own and his friends' amusement. 1 hese little adventures all add to the pleasures of duck shpo'ing. A goojj bag was made by Mr Lee Smith, jun., and a friend, who secured 55 ducks" and some swamp turkeys and rabbits. Mr Scott and party got a pood liajj, as did also Mr C. Robsrtson and party. Although oue could not altogether judge on the Ist whi'th- r ducks are as plentiful as they- were last year, owing to the thick foggy weather, I fancy they are not ao plentiful The ducks did not appear to be in very good order, and I am of opinioa that the shooting season should not be opened for another ninnth. There are any quantity of swans and wild geese seem to have done well.