CLYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2251, 22 April 1897, Page 25

CLYDE.

1 April 19. — On Thursday night last, at about

11.30, the discordant tones of the firebell sounded au alarm, an t those good folk of Clyde who had already nought repose in their respective beds were aroused from their slumbers only to hear the cry, " Fire, tire ! " rdßounding through the streets and by-ways, where already many feet were hurrying to and fro to reach the °cene of the fire. It was soon discovered that a hut, owned by a nun named Hugh Falls, was enveloped in flames, and that thi rti-e had got such a hold on the stiucture as to preclude all possibility of saving any portion of thf building or the contents. The origin of the fire is shrouded in mystery, and the hut was unoccupied for some days previous to the fire, the owner beiue: away to Cromwell Obituary. — On Wednesday last, 14th inst , theie died, after a brief illne9s>, Michael Keligher, farmer, Waikeiikeri Valley. The deceased was one of the eaily pioneers of Ihe district, having arrivid here early in the sixties in quest of the precious metal. For many years he lived the free

life of a digger upon the more outlying goldfields, and was occasionally successful in his mining undertakings. When the charm of a digger's life became lost to the deceased he took up a farm at Waikerikeri Valley, where he finally settled down to agricultural pursuits, following the quiet life of a farmer up to the time of .his demKe. The deceased, who had reached the allotted span of life at the time of his death, was of a kindly and genial disposition, and it might be truly said of him that he gave offence to no man, but rather possessed the friendship of all who know him. The funeral, which took place on Saturday, was numerously attended by people from all parts of the district. The Rev. Father Hunt officiated at the grave. V.G.H.S.— Your Cromwell correspondent's information with regard to the frequent thefts of fruit at the different shows is dimply astonishing I had no idea such an ottence was ever committed by the public attending any show held at Alexandra. If such thefts kave occurred as ftequently as your correspondent has asserted they have, then is this not sufficient reason why fruit-growers should cease exhibiting at shows where such offnnces are countenanced? There is altogether sufficient pretext here to justify the action of the , Alexandra fruitgrowers iv their failing to exhibit i at the late show held at Cromwell. If the | Alexandra fruit-growers' " pretext " appeared " too thin" at first sight, your Cromwell correspondent has certainly made it appear reasonable and altogether justifiable. With regard to the probable result of attempting to boycott Alexandra by preventing the show being held there at the usual time, I am of opinion that neither the Cromwell nor the Clyde people combined ould carry out buch a boycott to a successful issue. I have had it whispered to me that a ccitain few have already disussed some sngh little scheme and its probable lesults. Your Cromwell correspondent may not relish fuither remaiks in this direction, therefore 'nough said in the meantime. Chevp Wire Netiing- —A week or two back I informed my readers that farrnei'3 in Ceutyil Otag." were discussing the question of approaching Parliament with a view to inducing the Government to lender assistance to farmers in their efforts to combat the rabbit pest in badly-infested districts. Since writing at that time, I have learned further particulars of the scheme which the 'armors intend submitting to the House of Representatives. The farmers have come to the conclusion that the only method of dealing successfully with the pest is that of confining it to prescribed areas where poi^oniiig and trapping could be carried .out systematically, with a view to ultimately extirpating the nuisance. With this end in view, the farmers are intending to approach Parliament in the hope of inducing the Government to purchase 3 quantity of wire netting, which might be supplied to farmers through the agency of the h.cal bodies existing in infected districts. The farmers are desirous of having the netting supplied them at cost price when cash purchases are made. There are also suggestions as to how to supply the netting to those farmers and land-owners not pnssessing the means to enable them to purchase for cash. One of those suggestions is in effect as follows : That where farmers are unable to make purchases for cash a special rate extending over a number of years be_ levied upon the present ratable value of their lands, such rate not to exceed an amount equal to 5 per cent, per annum upon the cost of the wire purchase, together with an additional £1 per annum as payment of the purchase money. I might add that it is the freely expressed opinion of people in the interior that the introduction of wire netting into infested districts is the only possible solution of the rabbit nuisance problem, and surely our Govern-

ment would be justified in assisting land-owners iv their legitimate efforts to combat the increase of the pest.

Wound Up —I regret to learn that Nicolaon and party, who have been engaged at mining in the Waikerikeri Valley, have been forced to relinquish furthttr operations there. The ground is exceedingly patchy in the valley, and re is regrettable that this party did not happen to hittiDg upon it at some time or other during their tenure of operations tht-re. However, 1 wish the party better luck next time.