LAWRENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2652, 11 January 1905, Page 36

LAWRENCE.

January 3.— The New Year came in with boisterous, weather, and New Year 1 * Day was spent ly mosrt in this part of the world indoors, the conditions outsid* being altogether too wintry to tempt them out. Business on New Year's Eve was also to a great extent spoilt by the rain, which fell in torrents during the evening, «nd .long before midnight the streets were quite deserted, except By a few juveniles, who the new arrival by daubing shop doors , and windows with whitewash, removing a few vehicles from their owners' premises to others ; itbut their amusements were of a very harmless nature. On the second day a. large number, as I usual, took train to Dunedin to witness the •Caledonian games, a smaller section—including our brass band — patronising the sports at ,Tua.peka, Mouth, a erathering which, is very - jpotmlar in the district. I The Christmas trade done by local tradesmen was quite up to expectations, and had it iiot been fox the prevailinp bad weather doubt- ■ (less the New Year's trade would have been ! equally so. 1 We are looking forward fo a visit from the Eon. W. Hall-Jones, Minister of Public Works, in the course of next week, when we hope to -.interest him further in connection with the ,'jrailway extension from • Lawrence. I understand lie goes from Dunedin via Otago Cen.fcal to Alexandra, thence to Roxburgh and J/awrence. (>( > The fruit crop will be later than usual this Reason, but, given fairly decent weather, we , will soon have it in full swing. Cropf to all - fcppearanoe will be about a month behind the usual' time, fthfl in many oases will not be very rood, the extremely cold snaps of weather they Eave experienced atuntirj" onfl retaroing tneir growth very much. Grasß, however, is very abundant, and stock of all Kind in good cont&tion.