LUMSDEN

Otago Witness, Issue 2579, 19 August 1903, Page 35

LUMSDEN

August 17. — Although the season is now well advanced, our climatic bill of fare i& not quite so seasonable as we could wish it to be. Indeed it is cf a very mixed order — rain, hail, ano very hard frosts about every second night. Our natural pasture feed is holding out well, 83 is also our artificial stock, supplies, and stock of all kinds aie looking a* well as haa bec-n the case :>u any forrcer occasion at this

time of the year. Agricultural. — Ploughing is now being prosecuted' with much vigour. Teams for ploughing can s-c-aicely be piocurcd at any price; consequently the farmers and croppers must be much behind with their tillage ai2cl joiving, and there is sure to lw a serious shortege iv the area to be sown thi3 season, owing to the scarcity of labour to get the seed in ir~time. As a result of this, draught horses are scarce, and prices ruling a.t a high premium. There is also a good demand foi young cattle, good prices being offered irrespective of condition. The cloud of adversity and hard times that lips hung over the agriculturist and pastoralist throughout this island during the past few seasons seems now to bo passing over, and it seems as if a much brighter and prosperous time- ia now in store for -hem, and this, of course, means prosperity and plenty to the community as a whole. Entertainments. — Magazine night in connection with the L.M.1. 5., held last month, was a pronounced success. The Rev. Mr Lymburn. as editor, filled that position with much tact and ability, a very large quantity of correspondence of local and colonial interest being satisfactorily and ably dealt with by the editor, to , the entire satisfaction and appieciation of all present. Mr Lymburn received a hearty vote of thanks for his valuable services rendered to the society. Lecture. — The ordinary monthly winter lecture in connection with the L.P.R. looms was held in the public hall on Tuesday, 4th inst., i the subject being "Abstinence v. Hard Work." The lectnrei was the Rev. Mr Lymburn, who handled his subject in a masterly manner. He rlhistrated his Temarks by a series of large and well-defined diagrams, and endeavoured to convince his hearers that mental anel physical strains on the body cau be endured better and for longer periods by an abstainer than by onfl who indulge* Jtt strong drink. Mr Small ' proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Lymburn for his able address, and this was se- j cended by Dr Todd, and carried by acclania- | tion.

L.M.I.S.— At the fortnight'y meeting of the L.M.I. Society, Miss Thomson read a papeT on " The Life and History of George Eliot." It was admitted by those present to be one of the best rendered addresses given during this session, and Miss Thomson wns accorded a wellnicrited and hearty vote of thinks for her excellent paper. The society's next meeting will be held Dn Tuesday, the 25th, and will be tlio gentlemen's night. I understand a programme of a high-class order is being airanged, and the promoters anticipate a bumper house (in the public hall on this occasion).

Sicineas. — A large number of both old and young are Buffering from severo attacks of influenza, sore throats, mumps, etc. There aro also no less than three able-Lodied men laid up at present in our village with frnctured limbs; but I am pleased to note that under Dr Todd's skilful treatment and strict attention all aro progressing favourably towards recovery.

Land Sales. — The Castle Rock estate is being rapidly disposed of. Mr Marshall, of Dipton, bought a farm, quite recently at the high figur* of £10 per acre — not a bad price for land over 40 miles inland, though most convenient to road and railway.