MIDDLEMARCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2226, 29 October 1896, Page 28

MIDDLEMARCH.

OCTOBER 2<3.— After the remarkably fine Veither 'we enjoyed during the winter and the first two ! months of/spring, th'e'c&ld, boirtenras weather we j have experienced thl* month has come as^ a surprwe to us all. At the Sommettcemenk of this month the Rock and Pillar and the sin rounding hijls were covered witb the heaviest fall of snow we have' b.»d this seapon, and the following week we were .treated .to our usual "Strath" gale.-' On the Sunday.night our faithful proguosticator, " The Taieri Pet," put in an appearance, so we knew we 'were in for a good blow, and we werenot-cheated of it, as it commenced on Tuesday^and kept constantly at ik till the end fit tbe week, parching everything up and blowing hundreds of acres of newly-sown grats seed away to fairer legions. Last week had a most welcome rain, and it will certainly do a lot of good. The farmers were all complaining of the diyness of the «eaton, and the great necessity of moisture for the grans and growing crops. Pastoral.— Lambing is in full swing, and I hear glowing accounts from all directions, and so fat we expect it to be the best Limbing we bav,e had for years. Piscatorial.— Since the fishing season opened the weather -has been- so cold and windy' that it has been almost impossible to fish. NevertheIckb, I hear there have been a few nice baskets taken.

I Concert.— The school committee held their | annual concert and dance in Webb's Hall on ! Friday night. The night was favourable and the attesdance was all that could be desired, the hall being full. Mr Atkinson,' who occupied the chair, in a few brief remark* explained what the entertainment was in aid of. The concert was a succes* from beginning to end, and all those who took part in it richly deserved the hearty applau c thej^ received from the audience. The dance that followed was equally successful, about ' 60 coupes taking part, and dancing was kept up till daybreak. -The committee left nothing undone to make thin a,ffair a success, which it most ' certainly was,' financially and' otherwise.