HYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 31

HYDE.

November 21. — For the past month dry and windy weather has been our portion, and the soil has rapidly dried up. The temperature also has been low, and consequently all growth is backward. At the time of writing, however, a steady rain ia falling", which will be of great benefit to both crops and pastures. The crops, and in particular the earlier-sown lots, are very backward, and do not present the strong vigorous appearance that denotes a healthy crop, but are thm and "spindly'Mookmg. Thß fater-sown crops, which are not so far advanced, are looking much better, having received no ch°cfc. Turnips.— The preparation of the ground for the turnip.«crop is now engaging the attention of the farmers, and on ona or two farms drilling has been started, and more are only waiting for rain to assist them in bringing the soil into a finer state to start sowing also. Each succeeding year shows an increasing number of our farmers going in for turnips on the raised drill, and this year a much larger area will be sown in drills than in the old way— i.e., broadcast. Not only does the drilling and extra working of the ground benefit the crop of turnips, but its benefit . also extends to the succeeding CTOp, the i;round being free from weeds and enriched by th° turnips being fed off. Lambs.— The docking of lambs and its accompaniment, the reckoning of percentages, is now practically finished, and on the whole the increase has been very satisfactory. This district is not, unfortunately, one of those favoured localities" where anything under 100 per cent, is considered small, and 120 to 130 per cent quite common Instead of that, 80 to 95 per cent, is considered a very good increase, and there are many more flocks below the lesser than aTe found above the greater of these. Ptices for sheep this season promise to be better than those ruling last year, an offer of 10a 9d for a line of hoggets in this district being promptly refused, and better prices are anticipated after shearing. Shearing has not yet commenced in this district, and is not likely to start before the first week of next month, as the weather has been so cold and rough that sheep are much better with the wool on. Elections. — The county election is over, and interest in it haa died out, but until the declaration of the poll, more interest was taken in this electioa than the one for the electorate. Perhape this was caused by its being purely a local issue and the result of the contest at the preceding election, the voting the-n resulting in a. tie— the sitting member, Mr P. Kinney, being elected on the casting vote of the returning officer. This year Mr Kinney was again opposed by his old opponent, Mr K. Williamson, this being the third time these gentlemen have met in the arena of county politics. The campaign was carried on by both sides with great vigour, and out of a total of 86 electors on the ratepayers' roll, 83 recorded their votes — voters coming from as far afield as Wellington, Dunedin, Naseby, Alexandra, and Palmerston. Contrary to general expectation, which was that the contest would b» very close, Mr Kinney obtained ihe comparatively large majority of 13, the results being: Mr Kinaey 48, Mr Williamson 35.

Service of Song.— On the 31st Octobei the choir of the Presbyterian Church rendered a service of song entitled '' Eva." The connecting readings were given by the Bey. J. C Jamieson, and the choir werft ably assisted by some visiting tatent from Kokonga. A._ fair audience was present, and thoroughly enjoyed" the musical and vocal treat provided for them, and also the generous siipply >f refreshments provided by the ladies.^-On the evening of the 20th inst. a farewell social was tendered to Mr S. Siramonds, who for several years acted in the capacity of storem.in for Mr Jno. Beatty, and lately for Mr Thos. Tate. Mt Simmonds, by his attention to business, courtesy, and affability, has made a large number of friends in this "district, and regret i: felt at his departure, and all join :n wishing bim success in his new sphere of business. Pairing. — Several of our young men have fallen victims to the arrows of the littla blind god, and have been, or shortly wiU be, sacrificed upon th© altar of Hymen. Mr Jno. Williamson, who "'led off," was on the 4th inst. united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Annie Burnard, of Bald Hill Flat; and two more of our young men are shortly going to follow his example, and take unto themselves wives.