COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2323, 8 September 1898, Page 34

COUNTRY.

(Cantinued from Page 30.) OTEPOPO. September 5. — Since the splendid rain we had on August 20 (when there was 24 hours of steady rain) the weather has been dry, and up to the Ist inst. usually frosty nights with warm balmy days. On Tiuusday a cold south-west wind, or rather a, gale, set in, and continued almost without intermission up to ye&terday. To-day has been an ideal spring day, and should we be favoured with a week or two of similar weather we should soon have some grass. The early-sown wheat is looking well, while sowing is almost completed. There is a very much larger area undei wheat this year than has been the case fox two or three seasons back. Doubtless the high price ruling for wheat, as well as the prospect of a moister season than we havo been favoured with for two years back, accounts for the increased area. j The Lime Concession. — While on the subject of wheat-growing it will, perhaps, not be out i of place to bring under the notice of farmers ' the fact that up to 100 miles lime is now car- j ried free on the railways. This is a great boon to those who are a long distance from a limekiln, and ought to be fully .made use of. It means that we here in Otepopo can have lime at our doors for the same money as it is on the trucks at Milburn. If it is not used, it certainly is not because it is not required, and until it is used I do not look for good crops of either cereals or roots. Bachelors' Ball. — This annual event passed* off very successfully on the 26th \ilt. Fully 80 couples took part in the grand march. The music was supplied by Meldrum's band (Oamaru), Messrs Frame and Wilson acting as ' M.C.'s. Representatives were present from , Ha.mpden, Maheno, and Kakanui. Otepopo Creamery. — On Saturday last 1 understand that Mr W. Nicholson, of Hampden, one of the directors of the T. and P. Company, took over on behalf of the company the creamery lately occupied by the New Zealand Co-operative and Agency Company, after which he formally handed over the keys to Mr Arthur Lindsay, who has been appointed manager. Mr Lindsay is an old friend, having been in charge of the creamery here for close on two years, coming first of all as manager for the late Mr John Duncan, jun. Very general regret is expressed here at Mr Duncan's untimely and sad end. Although the company with which he was connected was always looked on with distrust, yet Mr Duncan bore here tho reputation of being an honest, straightforward man. Although very reserved in disposition he made many friends, but it i was only those who knew him intimately that can fully understand the loss caused by his death. Being in the prime of life (he was 39), despite misfortunes that crowded on him during the last year, through no fault of his own, we looked forward to the time when he would be in a position to use the undoubted abilities he possessed. Few, if any, in North Otago are gifted with the business qualities deceased was so liberally endowed with, and the success he attained at the general election, when he contested the Waihemo seat against the Hon. J. M'Eenzie, is a proof of his ability as a public speaker. I think it is quite safe to say that if Mr Duncan had" had the power on that occasion to promise billets to all and sundry who voted for him he would have been returned by a great majority, but lie scorned mean actions, being in every sense of the word a gentleman. North Otago is poorer by his death, and even in Otago men of his stamp are few and far between. lam sure his wife, father, and family have the sympathy of all who know them in their sad affliction. Presbyterian Church. — Rev. O. Michelson conducted the service yesterday. He is from the New Hebrides. I notice that the large blue gums around the church have been cut down, the reason, I suppose, being that they were retarding the growth of the smaller shrubs. The ground round the church would be none the worse of a little more care than they ( apparently receive at present. ;