HYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 39

HYDE.

September 30. — After many months- "of dry weathei the month of September has been one of almost continuous wet, rain more or less falling almost every day. The soil has had a complete soaking-, and the subsoil also, and even if we should now experience dry weather there is a reserve of moisture to draw upon. A heavy south-west gale blew all day on the 28th, and continued up to noon on the 29th, accompanied by biting showers of hail and snow, and hard frost at night; but at present the weather is- mild and warm, and appearances point to settled fair weather.

Agricultural. — On the farm the rains that fell during the early^ part of the month were most welcome, as the soil was becoming almost too dry for proper cultivating. Ths later rains, however, have hardly been so welcome, as the temperature fell considerably, and through excess of moisture the soil has become cold, growth being retarded, and also in many cases work was gieatly hindered by the soft state of the paddocks. A considerable area has been sown during the month, and crops sown before the lame axe showing well above the surface. A good deal of seeding stiil remains to be done, and everybody is now working full time to get the seed in.

Pastoral.— Stock of all sorts are — thanks to the good winter — in good condition, and now that September is past they may be said to have tided over the worst. The storms have proved unfortunate for September lambs, and the mortality in some cases has bean fairly heavy. Fortunately, it is only on a few farms that the flocks lamb in September, so that over the district the loss has been slight. The recent cabled news of the further advance m wool prices has been a welcome surprise to most of the growers, as many anticipated a. drop consequent iipon peace being declared between Russia and Japan.

Volunteer Ball.— On the 15th inst. theHydp troop of the Maniototo Rifles held a- concert and ball m Mr Tate's hall. Being favoured .vita fine weather a> lai~ge number wa<3 present, including visitors from Macraes, Moonlight, Hock and Pillar, Kokonga, Kyeburn, and Pailearc-a. Captain Trotter occupied the chair, and the programme was opened with a pianoforte duet by Misses Arthur and Trotter, and songs weie rendered by Mesdames C. G. Trotter and Mathewson, Miss Ryan, and Messrs M'Dowell and O'Connell, and recitations by Misses Chalmers and Langton. Refreshments, excellent in qua-hty and unlimited in quantity, were supplied by the ladies of the district, and at the conclusion of the concert were handed round, after which dancing was commenced, the music being supplied by Mebsis J. Mi'Dowei'l (piano), H. Bruhais and C. Laverty (violins'), while the duties of M.C. were carried out by Quartermastersergeant Trotter. The bachelors of Hyde have issued invitations for fjlieii annual ball, which takes place on October 15, and they are now busy preparing for the event. Political. — The- political campaign in the Mount Ida. electorate opened in Hyde on the 23th when Mr J. A. Macpherson, the Ldberal candidate, addressed the electors of flic distiict. The weather was intensely cold, and a heavy gale was blowing, and from these causes the number present was not so large as was to be expected. Mr Macpherson spoke at considerable length, and received a very att&iitive hearing, but as his address has already appeared in the pi ess in extenso it is not neccssaiy for me to inflict a.ny further trouble upon your staff by repetitions of parts of it. At the conclusion of his speech a few questious were a.slce<3 aiicl answered by tk& candidate in a prompt and straightforward manner, and a unanimous vote ox thanks and confidence was tendered to him on the motion of Messrs A. C. Gray and T. J. Dcwlinav