PATEAROA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 29

PATEAROA.

April 10. — Signs of winter's approach in this quarter are a bit behind hand this year. During the last two or three seasons the Rock and Pillar Range has consistently donned {he firßt instalment of its winter suit on or about the 21st of March; but this year so far has been snowless, while the days are as hot as they were in mid-summer. However, that eort of thing doesn't surprise the people in a climate that is just as apt to roast you in June as it is to freeze your *" early roses "*in December. Crops. — The season's crops in this district have been a decided improvement on those of the last few years, some 80-bushel returns being recorded in oats, while the crop of neeps is also good. The good effect to consumers of the heavy yields of wheat over Australasia has leached even this secluded dell, the low price of flour having put it within our power to indulge lavishly in excellent bread at the small figure of 7d per loaf. Ducks and Drakes. — Some very fail bags were credited to our local sports on the opening day of the duck shooting. The birds are reported as being more thar ordinarily plentiful this year, greys especially. Sports. — A very successful sports meeting was held here on Easter Monday, when a number of events were contested by our athletes in the moßt friendly way. The weather was made, to order for_put-door games, and the eiijoyment of spectators and competitors alike was capped by the kindness of the ladies present, who cordially invited all and sundry lo partake of a refreshing cup of tea and conconrxants in the school hard by. Mr O. Cambridge, hon. secretary of the Sports Committee, informs me that a substantial money balance will be available for next year's gathering. School Improvements. — The members of our school committee have proved themselves to be the right men in the right place. The m ilis of cattle and horses which patrol the fiat mil henceforth be forced to admire the newiypainted school from a respectful distance, as ■the building itself, together with an ample playground, has been enclosed by a strong ard thickly-barbed fence. _, A Friendly Enemy. — The work of transforming the nimble rabbit into coin of the realm is at its height here at present, and our trappers give the contractor for the conveyance of the rabbits to Waipiata railway station (Mr •Tames Murison) a busy time. Mysterious Affair. — On Messrs Lusher and party proceeding to work on Monday, 2nd snst., they found the Jrniiliar features of the landscape around the.™ sluicing claim considerably distorted. The claim is situated come two miles from the township, at the foot of the range, and on the party returning from a two days' duck-shooting expedition on the morning mentioned, a crater-like excavation on the site lately occupied by their calico 8 x 10 suggested to their minds some violent geological disturbance. The geologica) theory, however, has been discarded in favour of something more mundane, and the cause of this KTakatoa business has been put down to dynamite, a quantity of this explosive having been stored in the tent. A coil of fuse and some 70 caps had also been left there, but a careful search amongst the masses of disrupted rock, remnants of tucker boxes, twisted frying pan and billy handles, etc., failed to bring, to light any trace of them. This is somewhat strange, as practically the whole length of a •burned fuse can generally be recovered even after the firing of a well-tamped dynamite charge in solid rock. Dynamite caps are also pretty tough, and taken altogether it is, in Dundreary's memorable words, " one of those things ( which a fellow weally cannot understand." When you ask Jones or Smith or Brown the question : " Who d'ye think could have done it?" their sole answer is a solemn wink; while should you invite' Robinson's opinlon.<°f tlle matte ? all you can get from him is I dunho; things 'as a 'abit o1o 1 goin' hoff •up. there." Ex pede Herculem.