LUMSDEN

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 35

LUMSDEN

April 3 — Up to within a \ve»k back we hsve had real harvest weather. Cutting and carting rue now almost in every case completed, and the hum of the thresher :s to bo heard all round. I understand the yields and samples are very satisfactorj — much more so than the most sanguine could have expected earlier in the season. During the past week, as might be expected "at this season of the >ear, we have had a susoe-ssion oil heavy gales of wind and cold showers, mostly at nights, but this is not interfering much with outdoor work. „ Theatrical. — The Williarns's Dramatic Company gave two performances here recently to gcod houses en eaoh occasion. The pieces staged were " East Lynhe " and " Current Cash." The acting of each part was most creditable to the company, and was much enjoyed by the large audience.

Cricket. — The return match Centre Bush v. liumsden was played at Lumsden last week, resulting ioa a win for our locai boya by 5 runs. Tiie match was decided on the first innings.

Draughts. — Mr li. Yardly informs me that he is in possession of a handsome silver cup that was presented to the Lmnsden Draughts Club by Mr "Wilkinson, who resided amongst us fcr a sborb time -while on a visit to his daughters, Airs Thompson and Miss Wilkinson. The old gentleman is a great enthusiast at draughts, and well able to- ho-ld his own across the board with all-comera in a country village like Lumsden. Mr Wilkinson, on the pve of his departure for his native horns (Scotland), accomoanied by his unmarried -daughter, handed Mr Yardly th<> trophy, suitably inscribed, to be competed for by members of the club. It must be won three times in succession fo become the ]-roperfy of an individual member. This is something for intending; members to look forward to during the coming winter months. I understand a meeting is shortly to be called to form a club and make appointments for the coming season.

OdcFfellows — A proiect is on hand among the officers of our lodee to visit Dipton and Balfour in the near future with a view ot approaching the residents of those centres in reference to opening branch lodges of the Southland district. Ifc ii to be hoped thau the business peor>le and residents of the districts to bp visited may take thi« matter up who'e-Heartedly. and t-hu.s s+reeffthen the hands of the ■Drovuoter c i,.as the be^efita accruing from «uch institutions established in any corjirujiait-^ so wHViont saying : aud the order of th«» M.U.1.0.0.F. ha 3no equal as a benefit sociotv.

Auction Pales. — An unuarailelpd feat of auctioneering w»s achieved fit the clearinsr saile cf Burwood stock aid inißlG-pi^ntq last TVi-m-i-day 30th ult., at the homestead Itews Wriorlit. Bt°r>henson. and Co. (in conjunction with two other auctioneering firms) conducted the sal«», s>nd Mr Howell. of the firm named, wielded th<> hammer. No less than 27,000 sheeo of all grade* were put up and sold in 32 minutes, involving a sum of something like £30.000. The arrangements made for the conveyance of intending purchasers were most cornolete and unioue. At Luinfden (the starting point) the lining ur> of 10 five-horse drags was a sisht that will b? long-remem-bexed, and as the camera was to be seen at work this intereftine part of the arrangements will, no doubt, be seen among the ill-libations' of the? Witness in due course*

Fires. — A large drying shed, part of Messrs Reid and Brooks's fellmong-ery establishment, and containing about 40 bales of acoured wool and a woolpress (nearly newt, was burnt to the ground. The cause of thp fire is a, niyptery, the more so as the first thine noticad to be wrong was a sudden cloud of smoke, followed by flinies breaking out all over the building, and quite beyond extinguishing or holding in check by those who were on the ground all the afternoon, but who were without any means or appliances to cope with the^fir* 1 - The building and its contents were insured, yeb the firm must be heavy losers. a.s we all know that 40 bales of wool cannot ba scoured and handle-d without considerable outlay and expense. The firm — hard-workinF ana industrious men — have the sympathy of every resident- m this district in its 1 misfortune.

A Railway Truck on Fire. — One day last wesk, as -Hie evening Gore-Lumsden train came 121 sight, somethine could be seen to ba wrong. "Volumes of smoke were seen corningr from one of the loaded trucks. On arirval outside the station a truck-load of flax fibre was found to be on fire. To save the other Dortion of the rolling stock, etc., the burning truck was shunted on to the engine-turning Icon-line, and as there were no fire-extin-guishing appliances at hand the fire was allowed to burn itself out. Of course all the woodwork of the truck was burnt, as well as the flax. So far I have not heard anything as to the cause or origin of this fire.

Rabbit-trapping. — This industry is still standing in abeyance, the men refusing to trap under the conditions set out by the exporters — viz., carcases to be not less than 2Jlb, and only 4Jd per pair. At this price the trappers maintain that they cannot make a living wage ; consequently they refuse to staa-t. They say tliey had better play for nthing than work for nothing. The outcome remains to be seen.