PENINSULA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 46

PENINSULA.

Am-il 22.— 8y the death of Gr Geo. Hutcheon the "Peninsula loses a well-known and muchrespected resident of over 25 years' standing. Coming to Seal Point when that locality was covered with virgin forest, Mr Hutcheon had literally to cut out a home for himself. Undaunted by the difficulties of the task, he lepolutely faced and overcame them, and made a very snug and comfortable little property. He was a man of a particularly blight " and cheery disposition, and possessed a remarkably fine constitution. Until his last illness, which assailed him about six weeks ago', he had never known a day's illness. His removal means the loss of a good settler and a good neighbour. Mr Hutcheor. died in his seventieth year, and he leaves a widow and a family of one son ancT four daughters, two of whom are married. Quite a gloom has been cast over Sandymount by the sad accident at the fiaxmill through which Mr AY. Fyfe lost his life The mill has not been long established, and the initial difficulties of its establishment were very great. Things had just got going smoothly and successfully- when the misfortune occurred. Fyfe was a Southland man, his parents being settlers near Fortrose. He had not been long in this district, but was much thought of by those who knew him best. Much sympathy is extended to the aged parents and to the rest of the family of the deceased.

The Highcliff dairymen's annual came off on a day tliat the promoters desirei least of all. The weather was simply vile. In spite of this a good crowd gathered from all parts of the Peninsula, and a good programme of events was worked off to the satisfaction of all. Had the weather been good there would probably have been a record attendance, as this fixture is a very popular one. Harvest operations are still on. Xever has there been such a long-drawn-out harvest as tins. Plenty of stuff to get in. but no decent weather in which to gel it in. Yet farmers ar<? cheerful. No doubt the good prices ruling for dairy stock conduce to this desirable state of mind.