SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2231, 3 December 1896, Page 25

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

November 30. —The weather for weeks past has been extremely dry. The crops, however, are looking well in many instances, though a continuance of the drought would doubtless have soon taken the heart out of them. But on Sunday (yesterday) welcome rain set in, and we had a very pleasant shower lost night, which has done great good all over the district. Fishing. — Some good baskets of fish have recently been taken in the Teruuka River, but the smaller rivers are getting too low and dirty for successful fishing. A good fresh would be mest desirable at the present time. Political.— The fifht at Timarn has again been reduced to two candidates — viz., Messrs HallJones (Government) and F. H. Smith (Opposition). Mr Keith, the Independent Liberal candidate, has withdrawn from the content at the last moment. For the Geraldine electorate there are three candidates nominated — viz., Messrs F. R. Flatman (Government), A. E. G. Rhodes. (Opposition), aud Mr Malcolm M'Leod (Independent Liberal). Mr M'Leod was just nominated in the nick of time, his nomination reaching the office at four minutes to son Friday. He has addressed the electors by means of a printed address through the post, but since nomination he has been announced to speak at Temuka to-morrow night and at Geraldine on Wednesday night. As the mall is about to close this morning I hear on good authority that Mr M'Leod has decided to withdraw from the contest. It was considered possible that he would take more votes from Mr Rhodes than he would from Mr Flatman.