HINDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 39

HINDON.

August 7A. — During the past week A deluge of rain has fallen throughout the . district, and daring the height of the storm ] fears were entertained that another disaa- • trous flood in the Taieri River would ensue, and in all probability submerge an ! extensive area of the Lower Taieri Elain. The outlook at the time the rain was falling literally in sheets was very grave indeed, but in con-sequence of enow having fallen on the mountains, combined wit.h severe frqsts that set in, the situation was ' saved by a very narrow margin indeed. "Had a thaw sot in in Central Otago under I the . influence of the heavy rainfall I am j persuaded rha/t a flood would have proved tho> inevitable result. Stock Report. — It is gratifying- to report that no lo<*ses of stock have been sustained by the flock owners in this district to date from the severity of the elements. Snowstorms during the current winter reason in the Hindon district have been conspicuous by their absence from the grazing rune, with the result that the stock have not had to suffer from a .shortage of feed over the tussock grazing country or from the fury of the elements. At this stage I would remark that a number of stockowners in the interior of Otago make a gre<at mistake in feeding their stock with their winter fodder at too early a period in the fall of the year, with the result that their supply is often exhausted prior to 1 the advent of. spring. Experience has de-mon-trared that stock suffer more during . ihe spring months than at other periods 'of the year. With the fodder all gon-e, the stock fall off in condition, through a shortage of feed and the fury of the elements. Lcsfos of Stock. — It has occurred to me that the time is opportune for making a few remarks relative to the heavy losses of stock that have occurred in Central Ohago. At tJie time the standards and wire fencing was introduced, many years

i ago, for tne 2mrpose of dispensing with the" ' services of a, large number of shepherds engaged by the large holders to look after their flocks in the 'back-blocks it was predicted by a number of experienced shepherds that heavy losses of stock jrould occur during the prevalence of raging snowstorms as soon as the shepherds were -withdrawn from the back country. Little wonder that thousands of sheep ihav* been' overwhelmed in the heavy snowdrifts in the alpine regions when they are left for. 1 several months at a time without a single shepherd to look after them ! The standards and wire have done duty for miles^ upon miles of New Zealand pastoral land, out-stations have been abolished one br one, and 'homes abandoned. Election Note. — As the time is fast ap- ' proaehing when the electors will have to \ record their votes for a new candidate to represent their interests in the Dominion Parliament, a few remarks may not be deemed oxrt of place at the present time. In the first place, I may say that universal regret has been expressed on all sides by th«electors at the retirement of our present parliamentary member, Mr Donald Reid, jun., as that gentleman is much esteemed 1 by the electors of the T&ieri electorate for his genial disposition and sterling merit. Moreover, he has won golden opinions from his supporters by the manner in which he has discharged his parliamentary duties. Wkh reference to Mr Thomas Mackenzie, M.P. for Waikouaiti, coming forward to contest the Taieri seat at the ensuing- elec- ' tion, the consensus of opinion here is to the effect that Mr Mackenzie is a politician of great experience in the parliamentary world in which h& moves, aofcl also a geartle- ~ man endowed with the highest mental cul- ' ture and attainments to enable him to discharge his parliamentary duties to the satisfaction of his Taieri electors if elected. ' •