LAWRENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 25

LAWRENCE.

May 26.— The first snow of the ss&son fell last evening, and the hills round the township were white this morning, but the day being mild it has again disappeared. So far the weather may be consideied very favourable tor threshing and other descriptions of farm work. The present high prices ruling for produce of every kind are tending to rai=e the land values and to male- the farmer's life in general a more happy ope. The state of things generally all round the district indicates'a more prosperous condition. What with fixe rabbit industry, increased activity in mmmg 1 , and the improved values of pi oduce, the money in circulation is much Urger in amount than has beeu the case for some 'years past. Court. — The warden had a heavy day's business before him to-day —a number of mining; applications and mining complaints, besides the Magistrate's Coiirt business

Mining —The results round this neighbourhood lately have era tTie whole been prtftty satisfactory. A few of the companies have been hniiipetei by shortness of «vater, but as -they are enlarging their races and reservoirs things 'ia that rei-peci; will 'be improved. The .Beaumont. Local Co-operative 'Company, after a long series of drawbacks, delays, and accidents, are having a wash-up about the end of 'this week, and 'from what I hear of the prospect it is likely tc be a pretty satisfactory one. Health Note.— There has been a good deal of sickness here lately, influenza and German measles beieg very prevalent. Death.— One of our olSest pioneers died last Saturday night in the Tuapeka Hospital— Mr William Ferguson, or, 'as h« was more familiarly known, ' 'Fatty" Ferguson. He 'was one of the most inoffensive, good-natured of men, and was liked by old and young ; and being 'an immense weight, something like 29st, we all felt very proud of him, and it was with much regret we heard off his death after a very -short illness. lie was one of the earliest miners in the very .early sixties, and went to the Dumrtan rush, afterwards returning to this distiict, where, by steady industry and care, he amassed sufficient property to enable him in his 'latter years to take things pretty easy.

Holiday.— Tie Queen's Birthday passed off I quietly. The business places were all .closed ; but | the weather being showery, and>notbing especial in I the way of sportß'or amusements, the place had more a Sunday look than a week day holidayr, and the cheap excursion to Dunedin by rail ■helped to make things locally all the quieter.