ROXBURGH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 30

ROXBURGH.

July 24. — We are now in the worst part of winter,"*and so the weather has proven. The past fortnight we had dry, frosty weather until Thursday night, 20th inst., when it rained hard until nearly morning. It then began freezing, and subsequently snow fell freely. Snow-ball-ing was, needless to say, much indulged in. The weather kept cold and frosty, consequently not much of the snow melted. It snowed again the whole of Sunday, piling up to a depth of 9in, so that now everything is covered with a beautiful white mantle. If frost continues as it at present seems inclined to do, stock on the hills will undoubtedly suffer greatly. It is also to be hoped that the weather will not turn too mild all at once, as the result of such a change would mean a big flood. We unquestionably follow the experience of our antipodes in regard to seasons, as this season here is very much the same as was experienced at Horne — a mild beginning of winter, and ai severe ending. However, I anticipate a better spring - in consequence. MINING. About a dozen applications for mining sfreas were dealt with at the Warden's Court at its last sitting, so that we are not asleep in this respect. I predict that our district "will eventually be second to none in thi3 connection. We have not a single up-to-date dredge in our district as yet, but will soon have (I am not including Miller's Flat). The Golden Queen, Moa Flat, and Endeavour Dredging Companies' | properties are undoubtedly good. I would very much like to see the Jubilee > Dredging Company's property put into a larger company, as I believe it to be almost the best part of the river. Their present dredge is a very back number, and if they are making i wages with it under this mode of working, it speaks volumes for the value of the claim, and suggests large returns for a good dredge. The Coal Creek Companies are also intending to have what is termed "a cut in." Messrs J. O. i Mathews and S. Wren and Weatherell have I applied for large mining privileges, and rumour has it that these properties are to be put j on the market. They are both undoubtedly j very promising. Wren and party's is a bank claim, with deep ground 'running through it; and this has been proven to be very good. No j wild cats to my thinking have been offered to j the public in this district, and I trust never j will. I The Pleasant Valley Company is^ still following up the gold. They had a very satisfactory wash-up last week. Gardening. — This is our seconder, if » ot nearly our first industry, a. very large area being under cultivation. Most of the fruit producers are connected with the Fruit Association Company, Limited, the annual meeting of which was held recently. The manager's annual report and balance sheet were read, and barring a small item of the manager's travelling expenses, which was taken exception to on account of that functionary not being present at the meeting for which expenses were charged, were passed. The balance sheet had a thorough overhauling, and considerable dissatisfaction was expressed by shareholders. The company intend to alter their mode of procedure in the future, with a view to the shareholders having more say in the management than has hitherto been the case. Mr J. Bennetts was for the I third time elected chairman of directors. I wish the company every success, which it may have if carried on by the directors on business lines.