HINDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2691, 11 October 1905, Page 36

HINDON.

October 7. — It may be truly said that the /—month of September holds the record for the violence of its storms in the shape of rain, hail, snow, and every other concomitant of the elements that it hurled forth with terrific fury during its progress, eventually closing its inglorious reign with a hurricane snowstorm Df_ great severity. The flocks depastured m -the outlying parts of tho district have suffered severely in respect to condition, while a heavy loss has occurred to the cany dropped lambs, and a number of ewes as well. Owing _ to the long spell of cold, wet weather, the - grass is not coming away in _this district as rapidly as could be desired to enable the stock to gather strength and improve their condition at this season of the year. At the time of writing fine weather has set m, to cheer' the hearts of the flook-owner3 and' the email farmers as well. In all consciencent is much needed to stimulate the growth of the pastures throughout the district. The Lambing.— l am inclined to think after ■_what^ has passed under my notice here recently that the percentage of lambs in this -locality (with a few exceptions) will" not reacii '> very~high figure this season. Consequent on Ihe long spell of rough, vp&b weather, the growth '' of the - fleece has- been very much reiaicted, * and in- many instancs presents to ihe eye a somewhat ragged- and bleached a-ppearanco that will; certainly not enhance its value later -on. It occurs to me that had that celebrated -- traveller, Sterne, taken his sentimental journey, in- Southern- Otago, he-would never have uttered the expression that "God tempera Uie . . wind to the shorn, lamb" — or sheep either- - for nothing short of a buffalo could brave the storms that raged here last month.