LUGGATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 32

LUGGATE.

' April 12. — The weather is something awful ' at present — one continuation of dry, parching wind. For mouths, I may say, we have been expecting that rain would fall and put the wind down. But no : if a slight shower falls it is dried up in a. few minutes. One •would think, to look at the sky overcast by dark, threatening clouds, that we were ftomg to have a, regular downpour, but in half an hour the sky is clear of all but windy clouds. The consequence is the hills and fields are getting very bare, and if rain does not fall at once, and we have anything Ike % hard winter, I pity stockowners up this way. The farmer who has hay and turnips to depend on might not fare so badly, but the station-owneis, I fear, will have heavy losses.

Agricultural. — Harvest is over, and a number have already threshed. Through the dry weather coming on when rain was needed, some of the late crops were short, but the grain should be a very bright sample. Oats, I think, will not be too plentiful, and will not drop any in prtce.

Changes.— Mr D. Trevathan, of Luggate, carrier for the late owners of the flour mills, has sold his waggon, as the new owners have their own teams. I hear that Mr Trevathan has gone down south to try to find something likely to suit him. If fo, we shall lose another large family from our midst. Mr Duncan M'Lennan, who for a. long time ha.3 leased Blink Bonny and other farms at the Hawea, is leaving, having bought a farm down country. Mr Robert Kingan has taken the faims lately occupied by Mr M'Lennan, so Hawea, in a sense, will not lose, though Mr .M'Lennan and family, who are respected' by all. will be greatly missed. lam sure llr Kingan and farmly wiU be welcomed by all, as they are well known, and it will be good for the little ones being so near the school. Their' change of residence will, however, be a loss to the Fo-rks.

A School for Albertown. — The residents about Albertown are endeavouring to get a. room in the late hotel for a, schoolroom, and I bear nearly 20 children will attend if it is secured. What a pity the nice school should have been shifted after the trouble the committee had gone to in planting trees, etc.

The Typhoid Trouble. — The fever epidemic at Pisa Station is, I think and hope, over for this year at least — not, however, before it has cut oS three victims, one of whom contracted it while in the employ of the Cromwell Hospital. It is strange that no clue can be found as to the source of the outbreak. Mr Scaife, the manager, has had a treat. Last year two of his cons contracted the fever, while this year he has had it himself. This is very hard after his tmiform kindness to the poor fellows in the hospital both years. lam glad to hear that ho is now convalescent, and that Mr John M'Lean, who was also a- victim, though he did not get it at Pisa, is also convalescent. It is now known how Mr M'Liean got the infection. ICot only had he it himself, but all his children except one were afflicted, and all at the same time. Mrs M'Liean must have had a fearful trial, having to attend them all singlehanded for some time until she got a trained nurse from Dunedin. The children must have had it very slightly, however, as they are .all up and running about again; but Mr Milean has been very bad. "Rocky Point and. its surroundings seem to have been in trouble lately. Mr Faithful has also been very ill, but not with fever. Ha was down country under the doctor's care, and although he is much better, lie is still very bad.

Fire. — Tha Rocky Point Hotel was burnt to the ground some time ago, and all the furniture, personal effects, etc., destroyed. A shepherd who was sleeping on the premises is said to have lost some money. A couple of the occupants are also said to have lost a =et of teeth each, and to have had a narrow escape with their live?. Dog Trials. — The annual dog trials came off on Friday and Saturday last. There -was a fair attendance considering the bad weather, Saturday in particular being a cold, miserable day. A ball was held on Friday evening in Mr Thomas M'Laugrhlin's Hall, Luggate, and it was well patronised. Accident. — Mr Edward Herrick, a> dearstalker, met with a nasty accident while deer-stalking at the Dingle, near Tiniaru Creek, where he fell over a cliff, breaking his arm. He had to trudge over rocky faces for two clays, and when he readied Hawea, as luck would have it, there was a doctor there up for the deer-stalking also, who put Mr Heriick's arm in splints. If it wjis as windy at the Dingle as-if has been at Grandview," it must have been very difficult for Mr Herrick to walk along the rocky faces with a broken arm.

Autumn Tints. — The leaves are again turning yellow, and we have had seveial sharp hosts. Judging by preSLMil appearances, we are going to have an early winter.