MIDDLEMARCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2301, 7 April 1898, Page 26

MIDDLEMARCH.

April 2.-- -During the autumn which is now dearly ended we have experienced very changeable weather —that \s, the wind has been blowing from all pom's of the compass, hot and cold, almost at the tame time ; yet it has pleased nobody, everyone wishing for rain. We experienced a terrible gale on Monday, 21st ulb.— one that will never be forgotten by some. It was simply terrifying—a perfect dust storm. The following day was veiylittl>j brCfer.'but fortunately the wind was from a different quarter, so we were minus the dust. Snow is lying on the hills, and we have had several heavy frosts — gentle remiuders of the approaching winter, with eveiy appearance of a severe one.

Pastoral.— Dining the past fortnight sheepfarmers have been busily engaged with the mustering to enable them to get their surplus stock for sale and 4he lemaiuder for dipping. The flocks here just now are in splendid condition, a fact which will no doubt enable them to bravo tbe storms of the ensuing winter.

Stock Sale. -The Farmers' Agency Company held their annual stock sale at their yards, Middlemarcb, on Thursday last, penning about 10,000. There was a large gathering of buyers, some coming from Southland and others from North Ctago, all of whom wanted sheep, with the result that we had a splendid sale, the entire entry being disposed of at very satisfactory prices, showing some improvement on those of last year. Aged ewes sold at from 2s 6d to 6s, store crossbred wethers frcm 7s 6d to 9?, If r M'Lay getting the latter price for a few nico-conditioned wethers off the tussock.

.agricultural.— Harvesting is now pretty well over in the district, and the threshing mill has been busily at work for some time. The yielJ, however, has not been up to expectations, as a good deal of the crop was shaken by the heavy sales at the conmencernent of the season. The high prices ruling at present will, however, compensate to a certain extent for the small yield. 1 understand that Mr W. Allen topped the market with his barley, getting as high as 4s 3d per bushel. Grass ba3 been scarce for some time back owing to the prolonged drought, but turnips are looking fairly well in moat cases. Creamery.— The season has been very unfavourable for grass, and the milk tallies going to the creamery are, on the whole, below those of last year. It will be a great loss if it has to be closed, as the farmers are beginning to realise the great benefit it has been to them. However, let us hope if we get some rain that things will improve in this direction

Picnic. — The Presbyterian Sunday School picnic •was held last Saturday week. The day was cold and boisterous, but those having the management were fortunate in securing a very pleasant and sheltered nook for the little ones, it being held in one of the Gladbrook paddocks, kindly lent for the occasion. Everything was done by the teachers that could be done to enable the little ones to enjoy themselves. The very besb of eatables were procured, and plenty of pretty toys, and what I certainly think was the feature of the day — a large quantity of fresh fruit kindly sent by friends for the littl« picnickers. On the whole the children had a vary pleasant outing, thanks to tbeir teachers.

Church Social.— l see some kind individual sent an account of the social and dance in aid of the EDglish Church buildiDg fund. Seeing that there has been such a full account of the programme and performers I need not trouble about entering " into details. It was undoubtedly a success, both financially and from a dancingpoint of view, but I honestly think the less that is said ebeufc such entertainments in aid of a church the better. No doubt those who took part in the entertainment thought they were doing good work ; but

Oh, wad some power the giftio gi'e us To see oursel's as ithers see us ! All is well that ends well, but I am grieved to say geligion has had a serious fall in Middlemarch.

SI3NJS©X,

April 5.— -The weather continues dry here, with a lot of wind, and the harvesters are in full swing leading in the oars. The standing crops got a severe shaking by the north-wester about ten days ago, the loss beiug estimated at from 3 to B bushels to the acre. '

Fresbvteiuan Church.— Great activity has been shown here lately in religious matters. Bible classes and prayer meetings are held two or three times a week, aud many— especially the young people — are said to be "converted." "Testifying" at public meetings is also carried on, although I thought this was peculiar to the Salvation Army, but evidently it is not. A band of Christian Endeavourers has also been formed, ■which is divided into two parties, Christian and non-Christian— the former being those who are "' converted." One wonders what these charitable people would call those who do not belong to this body — would it be heathens or heretics?

Obituary. — Last week a son of Mrs Gridgeman, •who keeps the coffee stall at Hindon station, died of inflammation caused by eating unripe fruit. "Willie was a promising boy of 14, and his death at so early anjige was a shock to all who knew him and a terrible grief to his widowed mother. Archdeacon Robinson came up from Dunedi" and conducted the funeral service. A large number of people attended, and the service was a very impressive one, the archdeacon, after the service, delivering a short address of 'comfort and warning to the living- This is the first tima that a Church of England clergyman has read the burial service at TCindon, and many who had never heard the service before were struck with its beauty.

Stone's "ABC Guide and Diary" for April is to hand.