HYDE.

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 37

HYDE.

December 6. — The long cont ued spell of wind and dry weather came to an end on

December 6. — The long-contmned spell of the 3rd inst., when a welcome shower of rain fell. During the greater part of the night and on the sth a further fall took place, the temperature also falling much lower, and snow fell at a low level.

Agricultural. — With the farmers the Tain has been very welcome, though some have

been thereby stopped shearing, for the protracted -dry weather was telling seriously on both grass and crops, and the work of pie-

paring land for turnips was rendered doubly arduous, and in some oases impossible. Grassis plentiful, but crops are backward, and

many have a stunted appearance, and in some cases have as yet barely covered the ground. Turnip-sowing is the chief work .now, and a, large area is being put in, both in raised drills and broadcast. Among some of the earlier sown crops th* "fly" has been/'iausy, and resowing lias been found necessary. Sowing on the raised drill is, no doubt, due in a great

measure to the improved appliances for drill-

ing and sowing, which have greatly reduced the labour required. The marking of lambs

and counting of percentages is now past, and

the increase has been very good, ranging in the paddocks from 95 per cent, to 116 per oent., and on the hills from 80 per cent, to S3 £sr cent. Sb- 'ug lias been started, and,

given fair weather, will be in full swing this week. Some of the smal'er flocks are already "cut out, and the wool seems to be m good condition, though light. Sheep aie looking well, and high prices are .anticipated for both store 3 and fats. I have not yet heard of any sales, but a buyer from North Otago was in the district to-day making inquiries for two and four-tooth wethers (off shears), so probably sales will result.

Dairying. — At last our long-delayed creamery is being built, and earlj m the New Year this new industry will be started among us. On Furlough. — Our courteous and obliging stationmaster, Mr John Fowler, is at present on furlough, for the purpose of enteH/)g the ranks of the benedicts. I wish him every happiness. Mr West, relieving officer, is at present in charge.

Obituary. — Mr P. A. Connouy, one of our oddest residents, passed away at his residence, Hyde, on November 18, at the advanced age of 76. Mr Connolly, who was identified with the early digging days at Hamiltons, Naseby, and Hyde, was well known in Naseby and Maniototo, where he was in the Government service for many years, and only retired a few years ago, when the claims of advancing age made themselves fedt. Since then he lias been engaged in farming and hotelkeeping at Hyde. Deceased leaves a widow and grownup family of throe sons and two daughters and many grandchildren to mourn their loss. The funeral, which took p'iace on the 21st, was very largely attended."