BLACKSTONE HILL

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 32

BLACKSTONE HILL

J"uly 28. — We had a grand open wintei up to the 25th ; in fact, it has been more like spring than winter. Such a winter lias not been experienced by the oldest inhabitant. As a result of tha fine weather, all stock are looking well. Threshing is finished about here, and by what I hear the farmers are well satisfied with the yields. Oat* are the principal cereal grown here. The weather broke on the- evening of the 25th inst., when a fall of snow to the depth of 6m occurred, since when it has been ■freezing very bard. Of course we may have Borne severe weather vet.

Farmers' Union.— l sco by the Witness t'-at the Farmers' Union is going ahead, and bids lair to become a power in the land, a ronsumination which I should be glad to see. I should advise all farmers to join the union, and once they join to st'ck to it, for we have got plenty of the best talent up-country to carry on a branch of the union successfully. So far we have not got a branch here, but I am in hopes of seeing one started shortly. Mining. — The miners have had a good time with plenty of water ud to a week or two back. I hear that the Shamrock has had a very good season for water, and their last wash-up was a good one.

Social. — A farewell social v/as ffiven to Mr and Mrs Mason, late of the Black&fone Hill fio'el, who are leaving the district. The affair came Dff on the 25tb inst., and thp schoolroom waß taxed to its utmost limit ; indeed there has not been such a large- gathering here for some time, showing the esteem in which Mr and Mrs Mason are held. Complimentary pjicchea were made, and songp, duets, and recitations K' ven during the evening, and a purse of noveroijrns was presented to Mrs Mason, subscribed for by the Tesident3. Taken all through, a \ery enjoyable evening was spent. Refreshments wpre handed round during the evening, and after the programme was got through dancuip was commenced, and ker>t ur> till tLe wee smill hours.

Dftncintr. — The young people al«mt here commenced the winter by h»vina dancing eveiv Friday evpnuie. I hear th<> danoe* are v/pII patronised by the younp ceoole, and well czcried out. bnk Home tb'nk that ot c a for'mght would be often pnotu,rli T shou'd 'utrgrtf ()ia'. v debating soci°fv be he'd one wrr>k nnrl rlnnrine the next. Thp-p su-<* many v" f ul «iihi<..~'« tha* rniyht bp <-Vhn*pd for th° "mvr 1 b i^ft of all ttnd -which w«uW + »nr' U> m«rr>- mi' young men, and. for that matter, the vouug women too. The. former will fcave to take tto

place of the old ones by-and-bye, so the more they learn now the better will they be qualified to take our places in due time.