LUMSDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2436, 21 November 1900, Page 33

LUMSDEN.

Novembei 18. — Our climatic experience during the past few weeks has been most varied. What with gales of wind, downpours of rain (causing the rivers and creeks to overflow their banks), and snow falling to a low line on the hills, out patience has been Irjed to the highest degree of tension. It was raining hard yesterday and all night. The Oreti this morning is in flood, and things are still looking very unsettled. Agricultural. — Notwithstanding the unfavourable weather we have experienced of late, our gardens, crops, pastures, etc., are all looking very well indeed, and give promise of a bountiful yield in all lines. N Pastoral. — The lambing season is about over. I am sorry to hear that the recent boisterous weather has affected the 'ambing percentage to a most alarming extent on Ine high and exposed country, but the lower paddock returns will exceed those of any 'inner seasons. Shearing will soon be general. The first shearing of fat sheep at Castle Bock estate has been finished. It is to be hoped that the inclemency of the weather may nor, affect the newly-shorn animals to a serious extent. Sheep are sheep these times. Mutton and other meat has gone, up in price to almost siege charges-, but rabbits and trout are still cheap enough. The latter are plentiful m our rivers this season, very fair baskets being grassed by local anglers. Accidents. — About 10 days ago an occurrence that might have had a very ;,'nous ending happened at a crossing on the Oieti Eiver, a few miles below out Inwnahrp. While Mr Hampden, of Dipton, and his son (a lad) and Mi William Martin (Mr Hatnpden's son-in-law, and a resident 'cf oui town), were crossing the river in a dray, a wheel came off, causing the dray to c^ipsi2.e, drawing Mr Hampden under it, some i,art of the dray striking his lad and stunning aim. Mr Martin very pluckily, and with great nesence of miud, rushed m and pulled Mi Hamp-

den on to dry land. ■ He theft looked for the bpy, nnd found him a considerable distance down stream, partially unconscious, floating below the sxirface of the water. Martin, at great lisk to himself, rushed into the deep and r ipid-running current, got the boy out, and had father and son removed with all ha&te to Mr A. Small's hoiise, where, at the hands of Mrs bmall, the patients received every attention awd kindness that could be bestowed on them. To understand the gravity of the situation, .it may be mentioned that it took cvei two hoars to bring the lad round. Both are now ijuite recovered from their mishap. Not so, however, Mr Martin, who is still suffering from a severe attack of influenza, the result of .shook and chill. Such pluck and courage as he displayed should be worthy of recognition by the Huiiiane Society, if represented to them. Oddfellowship. — A church parade (the first in the annals of our local lodge) took place to-day. A large number of the •.fficers and members of the lodge assembled :it iheir meeting room in the Masonic Hall, and from there paraded to the Town Hall, where Mr Kyal, Church of England minister, preached an interesting sermon to a large and attentive number of hearers. , ■ S.M. Court.— The monthly sitting 100k 1 place last Monday. A lengthy inquiry into the burning of the Royal Mail Hotel was held before Coroner M'Carthy, and a jury. of six. No was brought forward to show how the fire original id. Mrs Kenning, the lessee, is a heayy icffcr over and above the insurance policy held on furniture, stock, and effects. 'ihe over which Mr Moffat held a policy, were old and much cut of repair. The jury added a rider to their verdict to the effect that the house and effects were over insured. The r.eneral opinion, however, is that this rider is quite uncalled for, especially aa very few, if any, have ev6n been inside the house, at any rate during Mrs Kenning' s tenancy. Westward Ho! — The western lakes tourist traffic this season so far is almost nil; yefc we are in hopes of better things phortiy. Everything that tends to the safety and comfort o£ any nunibev of globe-trotters is nr applepie order. Messrs Crosbie Bros, are deserving of special mention foi the completensss of then coaching arrangements. It is to be hopec? that their efforts in placing such a capitallyequipped coaching service at the disposal oi> tourists and others will be recoup;d by an overwhelming number of patons.