ALEURY SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2398, 15 February 1900, Page 38

ALEURY SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Febiuary 12. — Of late the weather has been, as variable as human nature. On tho whole the crops are very fair, if a small XJOitioa of the early-sown wheat is excepted. Tho oats are generally good, and prices bid fair to be satisfatory, so those with such crops are well pleased with their lot. And well they, they might be, compared with their less fortunate neighbouis, whose wheat crops in a number of cases have fallen a prey to the ravages of either the now fast-spreading Hessian fly or the white grub, which many thought, after the severity of last winter and spring, would be little or no trouble this season. Liko the übiquitous small birds, however, which, were thought in the early spring to have quitted the district, they have apparently lost no time in returning to good quarters. Pastoral. — Stock, which have throughout the season been steadily rising in value, have at last apparently reached a climax, and are at; present on the down grade, especially second quality stores and backward lambs. The third local wool sale last week was so unsatisfactory that there is now no overlooking the fact that compared with the prices ruling at the previous sales the produce of our sheep must be discounted at least Is per he?.d. The majority of authorities seem to think that circumstances do not wairant prices of wool going back as they have done of late, and also that sheep will soon, recover their recent buoyancy. One thing i 3 certain — viz., that feed will be in surfeit as soon as the crops are gathered in, and with wheat, our staple crop, so ruinously low in price, sheep will be looked to mote than ever. If we sre to starve the Hessian fly it is perhaps just as well that wheat-growing should take a secondary place for a season or two. Land Settlement — Since the Government acquired the Three Sorings Estate, District Surveyor Broddick and staff have been busy subdividing the property, and the resulting sectiors are, I believe, to be submitted to the public at an early date, and balloted for on March. 13. it is said the ballot will take place afc Christchurch, but surely that is a mistake, or I should say the public must indeed be very loiig-sufiermg to tolerate being dragged away °o far, when with little or no extra expense ihe Government officials could visit Fairlie in the .■sine manner th°l they did in di&rosmg of the AUsuiy estate. Y.'.ien the former settlement becomes an accomplished fact it is to be hoped; — for the credit of the Lands department and ihe subordinate officials— that more equitable administration will .be exercised, and the law ba mere uniformly administered, those settlers who comply with the laws under which the selections were taken, up getting credit accordingly, and those who take up large areas and: hold and use them in direct conflict wixh the law being brought to book. Otherwise the dep;>itrneiit cannoc expect a wholesome state of affaiis lo exist. Discontent must be rife when, a number of small and struggling holders comply with and carrj r out the conditions of their lease imder very trying and pressing circunistanses, and large holders adjoining are allowed to break such conditions .with apparent immunity. Snoits.— Our local Sheep Dog Trials Club held its annual meeting last week, when it was resolved to hold the aunual gathering as usual on the Queen's Birthday. In addition to the oidmary events it was decided to place an extra class on the iDrogramme — a farmer's pirldock competition. The chief alteration in tho programme this year is the increasing of the stakes in the Long Pull, and at the coming competition this event will be more than usually attractive, with such big prizes as 20gs, lOgs, 6gs, 2gs, and lg respectively. It was alfco resolved with a view of getting the meeting over in two days that two events should be carried on at the same time, the ground being well adapted for such a purpose.