LUMSDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2509, 16 April 1902, Page 30

LUMSDEN.

April 11. —We are now passing tluough the moat inclement harvest season within the memory of the oldc-st resident, consequently harvest operations are very far behind. The crop?m many instances are still uncut, while others have been standing in stook for weeks, and are getting much discoloured, and growing to the ground. In addition to this many farmers tell me that those of them who managed to get their crops stacked feai that the result will ba very disappointing, as many of the stacks aTo heating, and even rotting, and will be entirely] valueless unless for manure. The outlook for the farmer at the present time is certainly very, discouraging indeed, and very rnucn so to croppers —in some instances horde-ring on ruination. This is much to be deplored. Seeing that prices for all cereals are so good now, it would be the means of setting up many a> struggling farmer and cropper m a more comfortable and independent position for -nany seasons to come. Pastoral. —Those engaged in pastoral pursuits are having good times this season. Field aud pasture feed is plentiful, stock are looking well and strong, and pricc-a are satisfactory, judging by the reports of several stock sales held of late throughout the district. Floods. —For some weeks back the newspapers have been full of reports of high -floods up north, and we all dow's this way felt great sympathy with the many sufferers mentioned. We in Southland (the one-time supposed watejt cistern of the South Island) began to hope that the dire flood visitation had passed over and missed us, but no such fortune was in. store for us, as, after raining almost incessantly foi several days and nights, the rivers and creeks rose tc an alarming extent, but no serious damage has beer reported so far, with tho exception of the low-lying fields being flooded to such an extent that harvesters will have much difficulty in getting teams on tho ground to cart the crops to stack. • The Rabbit Industry. —Trapping is now in fulj swing, but the wet weather is greatly interfering with anything like large tallies. However, the trappers p.ie in hopes of better times later on. Liumsden Mutua! Improvement Society. —The annual mosting of this socifty was held* m the M.isoiiic Hall on Tuesday night last (Bth inst.), when a goodly number put in an appearance. The president (Mr W. H. Clark) was in the chair, aud gave a brief resume of last year's sessior work ; also presenting a very satisfactory report, which vva3 unanimously adopted. Several of the gentlemen present having spoken in eulogistic terras of the tact aid ability ci:splayed by the outgoi»<r pie^iut-nt, the meetibg unanimously expressed its bense of appreciat.ou in that direction, and this was duly entered oil the minutes of the society. The appointment of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with. Mr dark declined re-election, and Mr Davis retiring in favour of Dr Todd, that gentleman was unanimously elected president for the session of 1902, with the assistance of Mips Thomson as secretary, Mr Davies, treasurer \both re-elected), and a strong continpent of ladies and gentlemen aa a programme and managing committee. I to say that the lic-wly-elected president will do his utmost to uphold the society's prestige. Tho doctor 'iss kindly granted the use of his rooms to tho cemmittee, which is to meet nest Tuesday eve;.ir£ to draw out a syllabus for the whole, session. The first of the ordinary fortnightiy meetings takes place on Tuesday evening, 29th, at 8 p.m.. as foimeily, in the Masonic Hall. Public School Matters. —The annual meeting of householders, as convened by circular from the Education Board, takes place on Monday evening, 28th, at 7.30 p.m. I would again point out to parents and househo'ders how desirable it is to roll up to the meeting »nd show their appreciation of th" teaching staff and the pood anri faithful work done by the committee during the? past year, oi agruu, to point out any nrors that may have be--mi committed in the past. I mpinfain thar school conimitteeship should b" a. ro'ling honour, and an ODporttmity presents itself to bring fresh blood into tho field. The Mararoa Railway ar>d Trnffic Budge —• It. has bfen my intention for pome years to draw the attention of the powers tliit be to this menace io human life and limb, as also <o the rreat ri«k of sc ious loqp of animals and vehicles belonging to those who nerfor^p have to use the bridge m time of high flood. Most of U3 can understand how nakv it would bo to attempt clnviner a team of five horses drawing a. coach full of passengers along a. railway line. Well, that is what the mail contractors of the Lutnsden and Te Anau service have to do six months out of the twelve, and by buggy three, and sometimes four of the oth°r six months, and that sometimes before daylight and after dark at night. Tho cause of so much danger is tha* the railway rails stand their own depth, and that of the rhnirs that they set in above the decking of the bridge six inches, auproximately speakine. Most of us can realise the danger of attemDting to .ie?otiate such a roadway as that described In this connection I should like to make a bona fide croDosition. That is, I will undertake, on behalf of this district, to piovide a team of five horses or over, to be yoked to a pa«?enger coach fbut will not guarantee to provide nassengers). =aid tenm to be driven over thin clnneerous structure by either lh'e Minister ol "Railways o* thp Minister of Public Works, who would be hpld responsible for the value of the turnout, without miphap. I will again, on behalf of co-rp°idcnts, oromise to grant a certificate of competency to the successful jehu second to none in New Zealand, with the exeep'ion of the Crosbie Bros., who have nerfornu-d thio danecrnus feat for the oast siv or seven vrar«. Tdo sincerely hopo that this matter will be taken ud by the Tesidents here so heartily that the powers that be may be prevailed unon -to -rectify this source of great danger before in accident of a swoii, nature takes place They 'houM tak" lime by the forelock and secure the pafety of the tourist tiaffic in tins district by n«\-fc sra = on. as v.-pII •>* tint of eac'i rr.cl all the residents of our district.