POMAHAKA DOWNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2207, 18 June 1896, Page 25

POMAHAKA DOWNS.

June 15.— 1t seems only like yesterday since I came back from the Otago A. and P. summer show, and now the winter show is past and gone. How tifhe flies I Yet a lot has been done during the last six months ; we have got our crops all cut, stacked, and threshed, and a good deal of ploughing has been done for next crop. We did ■ not get the crop that was expected, consequently we grumble. V tt, I should say that a farmer who doa-m't grumble is a queer specimen of .the human race, so let* us just hope for something better in the sweet by-and-bye. I need not attempt to describe the great winter show in Uunedin. I should think that all the farmers in Ocage,' with their numerous attendants, were in Dunedin, forl heard that on one night, if not two, not a bed could bo got for love or money. The display of cheese, • hams, and bacon was enough to make anyone's teeth water ; and as for the turnips, mangels, and carrots, they were simply wonderful. Then the room devoted to human food was liberally stocked with scones, loaves, cakes, butter, etc., for exhibition only. When 1 first went through this room theie eatables were all open to> the passers, but at night I found that they had been fenced in with rabbit-proof netting. I do not know, but I fancy there must have been soma rabbits " nibbling at the scones during the day. The crush in the hall was very great, but this will, I hope, be obviated next year, when the fine new hall, the foundation stone of which was laid, will be thrown open to the public. Not only did we see all the finest exhibits of agricultural produce, but we had the opportunity of meeting many friends and enjoying a few evenings of pleasant talk. That is another benefit which the show confers on all who can attend it, and surely we can take our noses off the grindstone for a short time and be none the worse of it. I noticed a fine exhibit from the Mauiototo County. I wonder if we could manage to make a Pomahaka exhibit next year? Settlement.— l am glad to hear that another section has been taken up. and as the intending tettler is a married man with, I am told, five of a family, he ought to confer a benefit on the school as well. | Bunny.— Poisoning is now goinjr on, and the little varmint is taking it well. When in Dunej din I saw a most ingenious patent for smoking rabbit holes. It. is manufactured by Meters J. Andarsou and Co., and is very, simply worked ; one man can do the whole thing. I think it is as ; go-id a rabbit destroyer as anything I have heard ! of.