DUNTROON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 34

DUNTROON.

June 25. — Ths weather is still very frosty, and outside operations in farming are practically at a standstill. As an instance of the severity of the frost, I might mention that the Vicar of Kurow, in coming down to church here last week, got fixed in the ice trying to cross the OtiakS^Creek, and it took the rev. gentleman three-quarters of an hour to extricate his horse and trap, he thus being unable to take the service. Happily Mr More-land (of Green Island), who is at present acting as relieving teacher at the Kokcamo school, stepped into the gap, and read the service, so the congregation weis not altogether left in the lurch. New Church. — 1 notice that the land for the new Anglican church is fenced off, and the foundations are in progress. It is hoped that the new building will be finished by the middle of December. ;,; The Earthquakes. — Having a day to spare I took a stroll over the river to see what is locally know,n as "The Earthquakes." Not being a geologist, I can't say much about the origin of these lemarkable cliffs; but they are well worth a visit from anyone who happens to be in the district. They are situated on the Otekaike estate, and consist of deep valleys full of holes and cliffs, and are* bounded on each side by high freestone cliffs. The&e cliffs not only reach to the valley, oi sunken ground, but in many places there is a deep, cavernous hole running round tc the depth of from 20ft to 100 ft. Pigeons abound in these holes, and if you are a good shot you can get plenty of pigeon practice by dropping a boulder down and watching for the birds which fly out, some.times two or three feet away, and sometimes two or three chains. There are a great number of pigeons in the rooks, and mobs can be seen around in the stubble and river bad numbering hundreds. They are very wild, although of the domestic variety, and are hard to shoot; but the trouble is well repaid by the sport obtained. Besides the birds, hares and rabbits are fairly plentiful; and ducks are often seen in the numerous pools lyinc at the foot of the hills. 'Then these ponds are stocked with perch of a fair size, and the sportsman, properly equipped need fear no la~ck of enjoyment on a sporting expedition to the Earthquakes.

Valedictory. — As these are my la&t notes from Duntroon, I take the opportunity of thanking those who so willingly assisted me in obtaining news, etc., and trust they will extend the same courtesy to my successor