CLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 44

CLUTHA.

' August 23.— The winter now drawing to a close has been one of the best experienced for many years — "a fine open winter, the farmers say. Ihe frosts have not been severe; of snow there has L>een practically none; of rain, howevei, there has been a. fair quantity, and thus it comes that the land np till a week ago was prelty wet and tho unmetalled roads in a bftd ttate. With the advent of longer days and diving weather matters will soon improve. On the Fcirm.— During the past week or 10 days a fair start h»s been made with spring work. There is still a goodly quantity of turnips to be eaten off, and as a- rule stock have done well on the turnips this year. The payablo price ruling for oats will result in a considerable treo of th»t cerepl being sown. With the stoppage in war demands it is doubtful whether present prices will continue. Mixed farming pays best in the ond;. it is wise : not to put all your cges m one basket. Slock Sales.— The Balclutha Borough Yards continue to be well patronised, r.nd prices as a rulo are very satisfactory. Tho demand that has sprung up from Australia has had a " wonderful effect in hardening prices for bot.i cttle and sheep fit for export. The quau*i-'\' of sheep sent from this district to Bnrr.a;oi> lately has been pretty considerable, and so :« - ai I have heard vendors have been satisfied with tho returns. It would be a good thing it an effort we.c made to establish periodical fat stock sales at Bttlclutha — say, once a month. I have seen fa- stock realise as good value at Balclutha as at Burnside. Da-iryir.g. — Ihe advent of two more creameries :n the distuct— Pucrua and Balciuth.i — ha 3 created a keen demand for dairy cows, and at recent country sales as hi^h as £10 waa realised. Good Wishes.— One of our oldest settlers, Mr A. Petrie, has leased his farm pnd proposes spending a time in tho North Island for tho benefit of his health, which has been somewhas indifferent of late. Mr Petrie is a bit of :;, "vet." in a way, and his services in this reape , have been freely giv?n and as freely availed of by his neighbours, far and near. Xeii.hrfeo nor reward was looked for; and thus i 5 came that his friends and neighbours "silently, secretly, and surreptitiously" put their heads together and turned up and took possession o? his house ono evening, and before Mr Petr:o and ins good lady knew what was what, handed him over a very substantiplly-fiHed purse of sovereigns. Such actions speak better than, wordc. The Wairuua Fire. — In common with the community in general, we weTe terribly shocked over this distressing fatality. Our hearty sympathies go out to Mr and Mrs Eoy. We had a similar experience in this district a few years ago, and the natuie of the Wairuna catastrophe was therefore brought home to us pretty closely. Political. — Things political are as stale as the proverbial ditchwater. They may, however, liven up presently. The present member, Mr J. W. Thomson, will of course stand against all-corners. He is universally respected as an henest, straight-going man, full of sound ideas and common sense. But he is also lull of je.irs; and thera is a consensus of opinion that, he should have been placed in the Upper House years ago. No doubt he will have opposition, but things have not sufficiently shaken down to know by whom. Those I have heard mentioned are Messrs A. S. Malcolm (Keiso, who would poll fairly well all ove'-, having made a fair trial run three years ago), G. M'Kenzio (Tapanui), D. Stewart (Mayor of Ba-icluthe), D. T. Fleming (also Balclutha!, and William Hay (Itouu.hapa). Of the bunch the latter is as strong a& any. But the chances are that the old man will see them all out at the finish. Balclufcha Amenities. — The local papers havo ona or two letters eveTy issue over a misunderstanding in connection with the Coronation festivities. Owing to the rain tho procession was knocked on the head, but the Volunteer 1 * turned out, the crowd gathered, and that old veteran John Dunne made a speech; whereat Mi Stewart, the Mayor (not being present), took umbrage. Then there was to be a free concert. When the Mayor turned up it waa in full swing, Mr J. W. Wilson having taken tho responsibility of setting it going— not a \ery serious thing, as a packed audience had already waited more than half an hour. The Mayor contends he was present at the time appointed. Were it not that some feeling existed between the parties, possibly nothing v.ould have bee.i said; only that behind it all is a suspicion that the Mayor is not altogether sound on the patriotic question. Reception to Returned Troopers.— l believe Balclntha is to have a big celebration when all the troopers hp.ve returned. It will be on a large scale, but exactly in what shape I have not he?rd. The two Volunteer corps have taken, tho matter in hand.