PATEAROA.
November 13. — First-rate growing weaiher is being experienced. Cricket.—The Manaototo Cricket Association competition begins to-day with a match between Naseby and Patearoa Naseby has lost the services of two of its most proficient players in Malcolm and Robertson, and that club should nave nore trouble fhis season in retaining the championship whioh it has held foi some yeafrs. The highest batting average for last season was earned by J. Wilson, of the Paitea-' roa Club, with th( excellent figures of 40 runs per innings. The same club also secured the bowling aveirage, W. Chirn&ida beating the batsman. 34- times at a cost of 6 runs each. Mr S. C. Greer, who is a liberal supporter of the club, presented a beautiful bat to Mr Wilson as a recognition of his batting skill. Noxious Weeds.—An enthusiastic atta."k on.the prosperous sweetbriar was made by tbe county, through the landholder I*,l*, a few seasons back. After a prolonged interval for recuperation, of which the prolific plant took eager advantage, threats of blue paper have set the grubbe-re a^ work again, and the bonnie briar bush is now to a great extent upside down. Mining.—Water has been plentiful tihi» season, and all claims are working full time. A new hydraulic sluicing venture, owned by Crerar Bros, and Cbinpaide, started here last week. The most ready help was given by neighbouring farmers and local residents 'n carting and putting together the plant, one of the foremost amongst them bcin^ the clergyman, and the claimhoJders, who have had a long spell of deacVhorse- preparatory work, have the good wishes of nearly everybody for their success. Sale of Work.—This long-worked-for event came off on the King's Birthday in the Public Hall. There was a. large and attractive collection of articles of commerce for both use and ornament. Owing to races being held here on the same date, there were many visitors, and a good track was done all the afternoon There were a number of competitions and side 6how©, and the cash was secured in quantities from these departments. Messrs G. Ball (Ranfurly) and 3. Keely tied for the elabo-rately-worked cushion which went to the guesser ol the fat rV-ep's weight, each guessing the weight n an ounce; and Ranfurly .secured the prize in the lotdrawing. Th© hall was opened again on the following evening, and altogether about £80 was taoten. A quantity of material was left over, and I und-ersta-nd that the orphanage in Dunedin will receive a consign merrf. School.—Our schoolmaster, Mr Horace Fawcett, has had another first-class pass, and his assistant, Mdsa M. M'lvor, received high praist from the inspector for the high state of proficiency of her ctepariment. Another room is shortly to bo added to the- school. HITSBOIV. November 15.—1t is gratifying to report, that no losses of stock have been sustained by the flock-owners in this -district, despite the storm of three days' duration that raged here, as well as elsewhere. Feara were entertained by the stock-owners during the height of tbe storm that caused each heavy
' losses of stock in Canterbury, that the owners of stock would sustain heavy losses here. Such, however, has not been the case, as the ewe-flocks had only commenced to lamb, when the October storm swept over the district with terrific fury, and it is safe to say that many years 'have elapsed since such a severe storm has. visited tha district. After making inquiries, lam in a position to report that no losses of stock have occurred in this district. Lambing. —The lambing season is drawing to a close, and a few remarks thereon may not be deemed out of place at the present . time. It is safe to predict that the percentage this season will reach a very hig-h [ figure, judging from the large number to be seen at present in the several homesteads' paiddooks, together with those scattered over the grazing runs in tbe outlying parts of the district. I should say that a high tally will be recorded as soon as -the flocks are mustered in for ear-marking purposes. It may be truly said that the pastoral outlook at the present time is exceedingly bright. The death rate among the flocks this seaso n will be one of the lowest on record. This may be attributed to the stock having safely emerged through the winter months in • robust condition. To crown the whole, ' there is every prospect of a heavy clip of i The death rate among the xocks this season ■ Farming Operations. —The high winds that have prevailed here foi some time past , have greatly retarded the work of seedsowing for the turnip crop. The farmers, apparently, are sowing-a much larger area of land with turnip seed than heretofore, to enable them to obtain a good supply of fodder to feed their stock during the winter months. This is a wise course of procedure to adopt, for should the winter months prove severe for .the stock to struggle through, combined with a shortage of feed, a 'heavy death rate is bound to follow among the flocks through falling into low-condi-tioß from exposure and want of sufficient feed. It may be truly said that the - salvation of the stock depends greatly on the attention that is paid to their winter feeding, and I speak from many years experience. Traffic Bridgo.—lt is manifest that we have not yet heard the last of the matter in reference to the erection of a light traffic bridge across the Taieri River at the Hin■^don Crossing, as a great deal of correspondence is being carried on in reference to the matter. I note that Messrs Jopp Bros., the new lessees of the Lamb Hill grazing rim. have asked the Taieri County Council to furnish with an estimate of the probable cost of'a lierht Craffic bridge across the Taieri river. The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, M.P., has been requested to use his influence in having a sum voted for the purpose of having a bridge erected as early as possible - over this dangerous crossing, as a safeguard to life and property. Apart from rolling down its eolden sands, it has rolled down a considerable-vumber of stock also.
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Otago Witness, Issue 2905, 17 November 1909, Page 37
Word Count
1,030PATEAROA. Otago Witness, Issue 2905, 17 November 1909, Page 37
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