GARSTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 29

GARSTON.

January 24. — During the Christmas and New Year holidays we had extieniely hot weather here, which had a visible effect on the grass and crops, as before then much rain had fallen. The harvest will be rather later than iisual, although a few paddocks here and there may ripen as early as, or perhaps earlier than, in foimer seasons. The crops generally are looking well, although rather thin, a fact no doubt pttributable to the very late and cold spring, when much of the seed must have perished. Mim::g. — Work in this branch of industry is at present almost at a standstill for want of water ; but we have a very payable field in our immediate neighbourhood, owned by a Chinaman, whose name lat present forget. This mine may not be a second Hartley and Riley, Vut I am told that it is highly remunerative, and that it is but simply in its infancy. What with well paying gold mines and other newly, begun industries throughout the colony, harvest men are likely to be scarce and wages high. Angling. — Fishing seems to have been almost a failure here this year. I suppose the debris taken down the mountains by the mining water races and the dirtying of the river accounts for this as this part of the Mataura, in former times, was quite an anglers' resort, many coming from a distance and remaining a number of weeks tc enjoy the sport.

Educational. — Our school picnic this year was a great success. The children were in autendance early, and games, races, and other, sports were proceeded with, after which tea, cake, and sandwiches were liberally handed round. Rain coming on in the evening dispersed the assembly .sooner than woxild otherwise have been the case. The thanks of the committee are due to the Misses Gordon and Mrs John Gordon, who were untiring in their efforts, waiting upon everybody. The school is to hove the remainder of its holidays in the winter this year, being a departure on the part of the committee, as they think that then the weather is cold, the roads are wet and muddy, and that holidays are more beneficial then than now, when the children can come to school over dry good roads.

Poinological. — Fruit, which as a rule is very plentiful here, is very scarce this year. This ia owing to the early slimmer frosts and the small bird pest.