THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2928, 27 April 1910, Page 39

THE COUNTRY.

gg" Correspondents are reminded that all letSers for the current week's issue must reach Shmedin NOT LATEB THAN MONDAY NIGHT, letters coming to hand on Tuesday are too late, *nd are thus a vr«ek old when they appear.

LAKE COUXTV April 23.—For the past week nice mild ’Weather has been experienced.. This has been greatly appreciated after the wintry weather experienced last week. Our Member.—Mr W. Fraser, M.P., is to address the electors at Queenstown on Saturday evening next, and at Arrowtown on Monday, May 2. Football. —The annual meeting of the Arrow Football Club was held on Saturday evening last., when the following office-bearers were elected—President, Mr ■R. J. Kelly (re-elected); a large number :«£ vice-presidents; secretary and' treasurer, ■Mr W. Campbell; captain, Mr A. ■ 'Buchanan; deputy captain, Mr J. Fletcher; delegates to sub-union, the Rev. R. Welsh and Mr J. Polaschek. The -season opens on Wednesday next with a scratch match. The season was opened at Queenstown on Wednesday last with a match between the Queenstown and Eemarkables Clubs. Lake County Council.—The ordinary monthly meeting was held in Queenstown on Tuesday last. Mr W. Fraser, M.P., was appointed the council’s delegate on the New Zealand Counties’ Association, the annual meeting of which is to be held in Wellington in June. It was decided to strike - a general rate of six fathings in the pound on the rateable value of the property within the county, and not collect the special rate of in the pound for Skippers bridge this year. There were five applications for the position of ranger, ■land Mr R. Jones was appointed. The following tenders wore accepted—Gravelling 29g chains at Crown Terrace, F. -Johnston, £SB 7s; gravelling at Baird’s Hill, E. O’Fce, £1 17s per chain. E. Sainsbury, the contractor for bringing on water to the Blue Slip, Skippers road, reported that the water would be on in a few days, and a progress payment of £SO was voted. Regarding proposed telephonic ■communication between Clcnorchy and Kinloch, residents of the latter place wrote stating that they considered the guarantee of £2l per year asked for was excessive. They considered that the line could be 'taken a much shorter route than that proposed by the department. The clerk was instructed to again write the Telegraph Department on the matter. P. de ‘la Perrelle wrote regarding the proposal "to utilise the Arrow River for irrigation purposes. The council decided to recommend the same to Government for favourable consideration, and ask that an engineer be sent to report on the matter. Accounts amounting to £I3BO 5s 7d were passed for payment, leaving the bank overdraft at £3029. It was decided to ask for a Government grant of £l5O for two new boats at Kawarau Falls, the present ’boats being badly in need of renewal. ■Other business transacted was of a routine nature. Mayoral Elections.—Mr John Edgar, sen., was re-elected Mayor of Queenstown unopposed. Mr Edgar has in the past proved himself highly capable for the position, and his long connection with public matters will prove valuable in the future, as several works of importance are to be undertaken. At Arrowtown Mr Thomas Connor was elected Mayor unopposed. Mr Connor has been a member of the council for several years, and has proved himself an active and intelligent ■councillor, and there is no doubt he will fill the more important position with credit to himself. Entertainment- —One of the most successful entertainments held in Arrowtown for ■some time took place in the Athenaeum 'Hall last evening. The entertainment was in aid of the funds of the Arrow District High School. The attendance was very large, the hall being crowded, and the ’takings amounted to over £2O. The opening overture was played by the Arrow Brass Band, which performed in . a very ■-creditable manner, and reflected the highest credit on the conductor, Mr M. Hume, as the band has only bean formed a few months, and is almost entirely composed of young players. The items by the 'school children wore really well performed, and their instructors are to be congratulated on the result of their labours. The following most attractive programme was gone through:—Chorus, junior pupils; -duet, Misses Youngman; recitation. Rev. Mr Welsh; physical exercises, junior founds; song (comic), Mr Gordon Campbell; glee. Arrow Glee Party; song, Miss Cotter; chorus, junior pupils; song-. Rev. H. Packs comic song, Mr M. Hume; screen song, senior pupils; song, Mr Thomas M : Loriley fwho made his debut, -and had to respond to an undeniable encore); plantation song, Glee Party ; swing song, junior pupils; song. 'Mr F. Dunlop; duets, Mr G. Campbell and Dr Thomson; glee (“Good night”), Glee Party. _ The various items were -greatly appreciated by the audience, encores being the order of the evening. ’Special mention might be made of the -duets by Dr Thomson and Mi G. Campbell. which contained many local hits, and fairly brought down the house.- Dr Thomson (secretary of the School Committee) /returned thanks, on behalf of the commitfee, to the public for its attendance and all who had assisted. A dance was held afterwards, for which first-class musk was ■suoplied by Messrs Stevenson Brothers ■(violins), assisted by several gentlemen on ibho piano. Mr Sam M‘Skimming, ais ilisual, made an efficient M.C. Mining.—The Arrow River Company is making good headway with the cleaningnp of the present paddock, but it will bo three weeks or a month before the work ‘is completed. The prospects are good, and a good yield is expected.—-The Shamrock Company started sluicing on Mondav tlast.— Messrs Anderson and Hannah finished' a crushing at their battery at Macctown last week, but as this is a private company the results are not made

I known. Apparently, however, the prospects must he satisfactory, as I hear the , ■ party intends driving a f>ooft tunnel.—The ' Prospecting Syndicate’s party is still pros- ’ j pecting at Deep Creek. TABLE HILL. April 22.—We had some very rough weather on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday . last —heavy wind with showers of rain and , some snow, —but the latter melted as it fell. The Blue Mountains to the west had on a good coat of snow, but it has dis- ' appeared again. _ There has been some frosts at night, with ice about the thickness of a penny. The barometer was lower than it has been for 16 months, that being the period concerning which I have any record. This week the weather has been beautiful, and the glass is again high. Before this storm the weather bad been w<urm and dry, and the swede turnips were affected by blight. Death of an Ex-resident. —The news of the death at Christchurch, from heart failure, of Mr Joseph Perks was learnt with regret. Mr Perks had been succes- < ful in Canterbury as a plumber and tin- ' smith, but his health failing, he took a farm at Table Hill. Unfortunately he was ' not successful, and having lost his capital he went back to his trade. It is only a few months .since I sent an account ot the send-off given to Mr Perks and family. ! We now learn that one afternoon recently ’ he was taken suddenly ill,- and had to be ’ carried to his home, but he never rallied, ' and died two or three weeks later, ihc ’ family had sustained another loss just before his death, as their home at Richmond, near Christchurch, was destroyed by fire, the inmates having barely time to ■ c-et out in their night clothes, the furni- ! fcure was only insured for a small amount, - and the loss was a heavy one. Mr ± erks i leaves a wi-ctow and a large family, sonie ' of the children being grown up, but the -youngest is little more than a baby. A Visitor.—Mi Arthur Foster, who was ’ fanning at Table Hill, but now holds a 1 oosition in Dunedin, lately paid us a visit and received a hearty welcome- from, okl 1 friends. It would appear that city me has no great charm for him, and_ he ■ for the green hills and the free, untrammcled life of the man on the landi Rabbits.—Rabbit trapping is now in full ! swing, and big tallies are being made. • I mentioned on a former occasion that 1 when residing at Wanaka I used to read ! with surprise the big’ tallies recorded in , (.he Witness. As a rabbiter sometimes ! works 150 traps, half that number being ‘ shifted every day, and the other 7o set ■ for the second night in the same place, s the tallies are explained. Of course, it ■ means that a rabbiter puts in two days 1 work in 24 hours, which comes hard on ‘ the man, and on his horse also. The number of rabbit holes to_ be seen here 1 is surprisingly small, and it is a matter 5 for speculation where the rodents breed. 1 The rabbit cart goes round daily to collect ' the catches of the trapper. Another 3 matter for surprise to me was the manner in which the rabbits take the poisoned ! pollard when laid in scrapes. If the sides : of tT5e spade or the adze are bent up so that the ’ scrape is grooved, it is claimed that, sheep cannot reach the poisoned pol- • lard. Stoats and weasels are troublesome and when not engaged in maiming or killing poultry, they kill the rabbits in the rabbiters’ traps. New Plant.—l have seen mention made in the Witness of a now plant introduced into England from France, named ! Helianti, but as new plants are usually ’ boomed beyond their merits, I wrote to " Messrs Toogood and Co., of Southampton, I seedsmen to the King, asking for informaJ tion. They replied that the high claims made for the plant, wore nonsense, that it was of about the same value as Jerusalem artichokes, and gave the price as 77s 6d > per cwt. or £6O a ton, delivered in Dun--1 edin. It might perhaps he worth while importing a few pounds for garden pur- ! poses. Experience has shown that it is 1 wise to experiment on a small scale with 3 .anything new, as it seems to be a rule | to over-boom such things. For instance, great things were expected of Northern Star potatoes, which were quoted at 10s 6d per pound. Who grows Northern Stars 3 now ? Truly the farmer must exercise j care and judgment before he embarks on 1 any new departure. ’ TAM AKOP A VALLEY. _ April 23.—After an exceptional continuai tion of bright autumn weather, this dis--3 trick, like others, had a severe taste of b winter last week, and no work but the inr dispensable was done out of doors. Last 3 Monday again brought the genial sunshine 3 and balmy aim were experienced through--7 out the week, save for a few light showers r lasting but for a few moments. On several 3 nights, with clear starlight skies, we had • incipient frosts, that made the bed-covering • seem scanty. [ Accidents. —Shortly after my last notes ' wore in print one of our earliest settlers, ’ Mr Claude Martin lost a useful horse under j peculiar circumstances. For the purpose of ' spending a few hours at the ssa-side with his wife and children, he drove to the river, and after tethering his hors© to a tree near 1 the bank of th© river, boated to the beach. On his return in the evening he found the 5 horse hanging over the river-bank, quite dead, strangled by the rope by which he was tethered. Trouble seldom conies alone. ■ His sister, Miss M. Martin, who had been paying a visit to a lady friend living on s the Tautuku road, was returning homo when something startled the horse, and, getting beyond control, the trap collided 1 with the bank cutting in a bend of the road, and she waa thrown out. The gig > was wrecked, and the horse injured, but, fortunately, the young lady, though suffering from severe bruises and shock, w r as able > to seek the aid of Mr Lawson, our store- ’ keeper and coach proprietor. Meantime ' Miss King, who had seen the accident, promptly ;at on the struggling horse’s head 1 till Mr Lawson arrived. Ho soon freed i the horse f-om its entanglements, afterwards • sending Miss Martin home by his coachdriver in one of his conveyances. ’ ' Social. —Last evening a farewell social ’ as tendered to Mr John Williamson, who . bias been in charge of the Rimu School for upwards of eight years. The settlers , gathered in considerable numbers from every part of the valley, with not a few , school ohildvcn. Mr Stcddart, chairman of ■ committee, presided, and in a few words , expressed the regret of both parents and ' children that their respected teacher was r about to leave them He testified to Mr l Williamson's ability and amiability. ; Speech-making is not a feature in the out- , lying parts of the Dominion, and language i is not an effective weapon with which to

cope with pioneer settlers’ difficulties, however effective it may be in other callings. A settler has to meet his daily difficulties with his hands, not his tongue, and eo speech-making was not much in evidence, even Mr Williamson himself, on being presented by the chairman with a Mosgiel travelling rug, in returning thanks felt the influence of his environment, declaring that he had r pranged a most satisfactory bit of eloquence, but as soon as he stood up to deliver it, it completely deserted him, and no- effort of memory could arrest it. One thing he did say seemed to give entire satisfaction to all present. He hoped whenever the time came for his retirement from the teaching staff to take up his permanent abode among them. Mrs Galbraith then presented Mrs Williamson with a silver teapot, expressing in brief terms the hope that both Mr Williamson and -herself would be happy in the new sphere on which they were about to enter at Purakanui. Mr® Williamson expressed her thanks, and would doubtless have said more had she not been taken by surprise. The remainder of the evening was given over to- social chat, refreshments, dancing, -and singing. Songs were given bv Messrs Anderton, Chambers, and Robb. There was only one thing that seemed to cast- a shadow over the proceedings, that is the parents felt assured they could hardly hope to have as a successor a master' who was such- a good teacher and friend a® John Williamson, who was always attentive,- genial, and just. MINI* ON. April 25. —Last week a band of miners arrived here in a conveyance from Outran! for the purpose- of pegging out mining claims at the Hindon quartz reefs with a view to testing its auriferous nature prior to the formation of a company to develop its resources later on. During a conversation I had with one of the party I elicited from, him that little difficulty would be experienced in a sum of money be-in-.g subscribed by a number of gentlemen in Dunedin to test the value of the reefs in a practical manner. I may here remark that the entire area of the original company’s claim has been taken up by the promoters and applications lodged for rearing and any objections thereto at the next sitting of the Warden’s Court. As the reefs are situated in a good position for mining operations the new company will not have much difficulty in the prosecution of the work to test the value of the mine. Moreover, there is a track from the, main district round to the reefs constructed by the original company for the conveyance of the crushing plant to the scene of operations. At this stage it occurs to me that, with improved methods and modern appliances, combined with experience, there is good reason to believe that the reefs will prove a profitable investment. The development of the Hindon reefs would give employment to a large number of men for some time to come. The promoters, I trust, will be suecssful in floating a company to develop the resources of the line. UUMSBEN. April 25.—We have been experiencing a taste of winter of late, very stormy, and cold snaps prevailing. The weather seems now somewhat settled, with frosty nights and sunny days. Feed ; s holding olit well. The Crops.—Threshing : s now over, and I hoar of no complaints as to grain returns, so must take them to be satisfactory. Stock Sales. —Sheep sales have been held during the past fortnight throughout the district, with prices very fluctuating. No sale has been held at Lumsden, although it is frankly admitted by dealers and stockowners that this is a most convenient centre, as sellers and buyers would have lots of time for the sale, and four train services at their commancL. X am -sorry that -_p to the present the residents do not seem to have realised the importance of these sales to the progress of the town and district. Property Sales. —Mr George Marshall, one of the earliest settlers, having sold his farm to the Shuttle worth Brothers, is removing his family to Lumsden. He has purchased Mrs M‘Math’s- comfortable- property, situate in a quiet yet very convenient part of the town. Mr Marshall is to have a clearing sale at the beginning of next month. Rabbit-trapping.—The Mataura and Ocean Beach Freezing Works stopped receiving rabbits during April. This disorganised the industry to a very great extent, but the trappers are fortunate in that skins are worth nearly, if not, quite as much, as the carcases. The Mataura works, it is anticipated, will be able to take rabbits again I The local club held their opening match of the season on Saturday afternoon, when a scratch game was- played between President and Vice-president. An enjoyable game resulted. Some colts and fresh new players started well, and the club seems likely to Be able to hold its own this season - WHEY’S BUSH, April 25.-—The Wray’s Bush Hall was completely filled on Wednesday evening, 20th in s -t when the residents of the district gathered in their numbers to do honour to Mr and Mrs James Hanley and Mr and, Mrs Th-os. Stroud prior to their departure from the district. A strong committee, consisting of Messrs T. Driscoll, H. Egan, J. Eo-an, jun., J. Hogan, Thomas Power, John Nevlon, ind J- Kelly, had made very complete- arrangements for th-e gathering, which was in every way successful. Mr Thomas Power presided, and with him were Mr H E"an and other prominent members of’ the committee. The chairman, in proposing the toast, of “ The Guests. ’ referred to their ninny sterling' cjiuilities. On benaii of the people of the district ho presented Messrs "Hanley and Stroud each with a handsome travelling rug and an umbrella and pipes respectively, and Mesdarifes Hanley and Stroud with two valuable tea sets. Other speakers-, including the Rev. Father O’Neill,' endorsed the chairman’s remarks. Messrs Hanley and Stroud suitably and feelingly replied. A very lengthy toast list was gone through. The speeches were a pleasant feature of the gathering, some being very humorous. During the evening songs were given by Messrs Johnston, Cusack, Gibbon, Dempster, Finn, Stroud, Walsh, and Mrs Burtenshaw. The eing'in-g of “ Auld lang syne” concluded this portion of the programme. The hall was ther cleared, and a few hours’ dancing was indulged in, tho music being supplied by Messrs Egan. The catering was in the hands of Mr T’hos. Burtenshaw, who, as usual, gave general satisfaction. Diphtheria.—John, tho five-year-okl son of Mr and Mrs Patrick Walsh, was taken

very ill on Tuesday last. Dr. Baird was called in, and found that the child was suffering from diphtheria. The patient was at once removed by ambulance to the Riverton Hospital, where the little sufferer succumbed to the dread malady on Friday. Much sympathy is being extended to the bereaved parents. The case is the first of the kind ever known in the district, and is causing a feeling of anxiety and uneasiness in every household. The school has been closed for an indefinite period. WAITAHLNA. April 25.—After the cold snap we had last week the weather has been just perfect. Obituary.—The news of Miss Maud West s death at her father's residence, in Dunedin, last Monday caused general regret throughout the district. She was born and brought up in Waitahuna, and was a great favourite both with old and young. The funeral, which took place in Waitahuna on Tuesday afternoon, was very largely attended. Much sympathy is felt for Mr West and family in their sad bereavement. Waitahuna Brass Band.—The bazaar held in connection with the band was brought to a close on Saturday night, when the art union was drawn. The bazaar has been a great success, and the band have every reason to feel satisfied with themselves. After all expenses are paid it is expected that the bazaar will have brought in £BS clear. Shooting.—A shooting match between teams representing the Tuapeka Mounted Rifles and the Waitahuna Rifle Club wass fired at Wetherstones range on Wednesday afternoon. The weather was all that could be desired. The conditions of the match were 10 men aside, .and sever shots at 200 and 500 yards. The possible at each range was 35. Only one possible was put up during the afternoon, that by Mr F. Roberts, of the Waitahuna Club, at the 500 yards range. In the evening the visiting team were entertained at dinner at Kelleher’s Hotel. Lieutenant Arthur, who presided, apologised for the absence of Captain MTCinlay, who, hr said, had only been prevented from being present by animportant engagement. In proposing the toast “The Waitahuna Rifle Club,” he congratulated the visitors upon their win and fine exhibition of shooting, and said that he hoped that when they again nret three weeks, hence they would have a closer contest. Captain Roberts responded, thanking the Tuapeka Mounted Rifies for the enjoyable afternoon they had provided, and for their hospitality. Lawrence.

"Waitahuna.

WE VIS

’.April 16. —We are just .now experiencing a very welcome change in the. weather The drought, and 1 consequent scarcity of water, which is so essential a factor in our mining operations, is once more effectually broken up, and our races are now flowing - at their fullest capacity. Every effort will now be required to make up for lost time, as we cannot expect to bo able to work after May, when King Frost will once more stretch out bis icy sceptre and forbid the liquid streams to flow. A Change.—We* are shortly to lose, so report says, one of our ’urgest families. Mr C. Scott, who has pa d with his coal pit property, is now <- 'ie lookout for some other means • * mod'. As Mr and Mrs Scott have .a family, seven of whom attend schoo., it will make a material difference to the school attendance. Mr Scott has held various positions, such as member of the School Committee. and is now a member of the Cemetery Trust, and has always given a helping hand in promoting the material welfare of the place, so that we shall miss him, and also his active and genial sons and daughters, and none the less his partner in life, who. by the way, first saw the light in Nevis. Hr Soott has sold his interest to Mr R. Toms and Mr T. Beattie at a very satisfactory figure. Mining.—Crewe dredge still maintains its reputation as a. paying concern, and, given a coal supply for a eoujple of months longer, will be able to put up a splendid tally . for the year. —Messrs M‘Donald and Co. are opening out at the north end of Bayley’s Hill, and the wash looks all right, but they have not yet washed up, as watev has been so scarce. In addition to good gold I should not be surprised to hear of their striking a good coal, seam, which would be a boon indeed to Upper Nevis. Stocking.—Several considerable flocks of sheep have passed through the Valley en route .to the pastoral leases recently ac-, quired. Sport.—The shooting season for grey duck and quail came in here without much slaughter of the bird's, as there are but few of the former and none of the latter to bo seen. Perhaps it is as well for their health, as there are a few gun-owners just hungering for their lives. II .OIILTOSiS. April 13.— Mr Alfred Roberts, an old resident, died with startling suddenness on Thursday. He was engaged removing some of his sheep, in company with two boys named William and Guy Hooiper, - aged 10 and 12 years. He told the boys to remain, behind' the sheep while he went towards a gate, but he had only gone a short distance when the boys noticed him drop. The boys, finding he could not rise, procured the assistance of deceased's brother and Mr M‘Alpine, but they found life was extinct. The body was removed to the house by willing hands, and on the arrival of Dr Byers he decided deceased' had died from heart failure. Mr Roberts arrived in the district in 1870, and has lived here practically for 40 years. He was engaged

most of the time in mining, but lately; turned to farming, and was very successful. He was of a kindly disposition, a good neighbour, iand always willing to help in' anything to benefit the place. He was M years of age, and leaves one brother (M Jos. Roberts) and two sisters (Mrs J. Coram and Mrs R. Kinsman, our postmistress) and 19 nieces and nephews to mourn their loss. His death gave the people, here quite, a shock. The funeral took place here on Sunday, and although it was a very stormy day there was a large attendance of people from all oyer the district. The coffin was carried to the cemetery by a number >f old friends. The Rev. Mr Burgess conducted the service in a very impressive manner. Weather.—“ Stormy and dry” describes the weather here for some time past. Iher season has been about the driest ever experienced. The grass is beginning tot wither up, and there is very little teed,; for the stock, all indications pointing to a very hard winter. Mining.—There is nothing doing in mining, as there has been no water available since before Christmas, and everything is at e standstill. POIWA UAKA MOWXS. April 23. —So much has been written about the weather we experienced at the end of last week that I need not comment on it, except to say that it did no senoua damage here, although many were kept from sleeping with the thought of where we should go were the roof blown on. Since that outburst, I am glad say, the wind has not been so strong, anti outside, work has been carried on with a little more comfort. Farm Work.—Teams are now all busy! turning over the stubble, hut the lea ratfter hard yet, though I expect the rain which fell would soften it. The last day. or two the sun has been quite warm, with a touch of frost at night. At present the ground is in nice order for autumn sowing of crops, and I hear of wheat being already through. A lot of oat stacks are» to be seen about, both here and in Wairuna. One farmei at Wairuna has all his last season’s stacks on hand yet. and I expect he will do well out of them, as oats are at a good price, and chaff is rising. I heard on Thursday of chaff being in•quired' for at £3 ss, free of commission, on the truck. I think this late storm has dong away with the blight on swedes. It was strong enough, indeed, to blow the swedes, blight, and all away. One of ou^ energetic farmers has, I hear, leased some 400 acres on the, Clinton block of the Clydevale Estate, and intends sowing wheat. I hope he will be successful. New Seed Oats.—Our neighhoui, Mr , Divers, last year sowed a few bags of a j new variety of oats, and from what I have seen of this crop it ought to suit this district very well. In the first place it was sown late', but it was ripe pome time before any other oats sown earlier on hie farm. Then when nearly ripe it was subjected to a fearful gale of wind, but .it was not badly shaken, for it threshed out, 40 bushels tc the acre We badly want here a variety- of oats that will stick to .the straw, no matter how it blows. Dairy Factory.—The Wairuna Dairy Factory has been long spoken about, but it has never vet got further. However, as some new blood *n the shape of new settlers has come into that district, I hear that, a canvass has been made to find out how many cows could be guaranteed, sc now I ■hope that in the course of a year or two we may hear of the Wairuna dairy factory taking "first prize at the Dunedin winter show for its butter. Land Sale.—Mr Peter Murray has sold his Wairuna farm to Mr P, Babbitt. This latter gentleman has now three farms in different parts of Wairuna: and. being - an enterprising farmer, I would not be surprised to hear of him buying up the land lying between them, and thus making up a fine block of land into one farm. Threshing.—Mr J. Gormack has sold his mill and engine to a Mr Knowles, of Mataura. and he is now busy amongst the Ashley Downs settlers, and. I think he is also going over to the settlers at the lower end. Mr Robert Newson is also on the warpath with an engine and chaff cutter. I hear he has 140 ton to cut for one far-< mer alone in Wairuna. What an advantage , it is to be near the railway! There the i farmer can make use of all his straw bv | chaffcutting, but the carting from this ’ estate is far too big a job for us to go in for much chaffcutting. Sheep Sale.—There was again a big yarding of sheep last Thursday, but prices were not quite on a level with those of a month ago. There was a big turnout of rams, most of which found new owners. One of the settlers must have been well satisfied with the prices, for he was heard to say, “By -—-, I was made to sell rams!” WOOHSIBE. April 23.--A storm of unusual violence passed over the district during the closing ; days of last week. It began with a perfect hurricane on Thursday night, andi •' when daylight appeared on Fridays morning Maungatua was covered with a heavy coating of snow, which extended well down tho ridge. The barometrical pressure was a record one, the instrument showing. 28.61, at which it remained all day. Saturday was even worse, and a continuous rain fell all day. Sunday was still stormy, but by that time the worst was over, and Mcnclay saw tho sun shining once more, and the elements at rest. A total of 3gia of rain fell during the period. Wedding.—On Thursday last, 14th inst.,. a wedding of more than usual interest’ took place, when the Rev. N. A. Nicolson was married to Miss Ethel Reid, daughter of Mr Wra. Reid. “ Ravensdale.” Woodside. Mr Nicolson has lately been ordained into the pastorate of Oteramika, Southland, and Miss Reid, better known as Sister Ethel, was deaconess for soma time hr the North-East Valley Presbyterian Church. The wedding ceremony took place in the church, which was prettily decorated for the occasion, and the officiating ministers were tho Revs. W. Spence and H. _B. Gray, of North-East Valley. The bride was supported by her 1 sister, Miss Catherine Reid, and Miss Robinson. The Rev. Mr Collie, of Dunrobin, was best nan, and Mr Wra. Reid, jun , was groomsman. A large gathering of triends sat down to the wedding breakfast, spread at the residence of the bride’s parents, and the usual toasts were duly pioposed and responded to. The wedding presents were numerous, useful, and valuable, and testified to the esteem in which tho recipients were held by a largo circle of friends. After the photographs of the wedding; party and wedding group had been taken, the young couple took their departure^

accompanied by showers of rice and good J ■wishes.

FLAXBJH'KXE

April 20.—At last the railway is practically an accomplished fact. The tails are now laid as far as Ward, and when tne line is ballasted that far it will be opened for the carriage of woods by the Public Works Department. We hope this will be achieved within a fortnight. At the present time the goods traffic reach Manwhai, a station on the south side of Lake Grassmere, but not within six miles of W ard. Even now it is not expected that passengers will be carried for six or nine months, as that time at least will elapse before the embankments will be properly solidified. In the meantime passengers will have to content themselves by going in and out by iballast and goods trains. The Outlook.—The -weather at Flaxbourne has been very pleasant lately, except that in the north part of the settlement, and in Starborough it has been rather dry. Grass, however, especially at the south end, is plentiful, and stock are looking very well. Chaff-cutting is now in full swing. The price being about £3 in the stack. Stock. —The rush of the fat stock is now over. The season on the w-hole has been fairly good as regards fattening. Unfortunately the prices were very low' to start with, but now they are a little better. Fat lambs, shorn, sell at 10f to 10s 6d; woolly, lie to 12s for the best; wethers, from 13s 6d to 15s fid. . The Inevitable.—Now that the five years that the Flaxbourne settler had to reside on the sections before getting a transferhave nearly elapsed, several of the properties here are- in the market. Mrs George Orchard sold her place last weak to Mr Willis. The figure has not trans ipired, but it is believed to be something over £3OOO. Creamery.—There is some talk of starting a creamery here when the train runs regularly, and the Wairou factory have been asked if they w'ould start one in connection with their factory near Blenheim. It would be a great boon to a number of the smallei settlers, whose places are too small for sheep.

WA IB ATE

April 25. —Rev. J. Tymons, S.M., who has recently been appointed to control the commercial course at St. Patrick’s, will ro turn to Waimate early in May to receive an illuminated address Miss Lily Moore, of Waimate. has been appointed assistant mistress at Waihao Downs, in place of Miss Grace. Turner, who has resigned on account of ill-health. Obituary.—Mr Eric Cameron, late of iWaimaie District High School, pupil teacher in the Waimataitai School, .Timaru, died suddenly under choroform on Monday morning He was undergoing an operation for a nasal obstruction. Drs Unwin and W. C. 'Burns were to perform the operation, and Dr Pitts, >f Waimate, came in while the operators were trying to restore animation. The evidence showed that all precautions had been taken before administering chloroform to ascertain that he deceased -was in a fit condition for it. A post mortem examination by Dr Gibson showed the heart and lungs were quite sound, but a thymus gland was presjnt Othjr conditions pointed to the disease known as status lymphatious. At the inquest the,- verdict was in accordance with the medical evidence. Deceased was very popular, taking a keen interest in school athletics. He was a lieutenant in the Cadet • corps. Deceased was buried in Waimate, where his parents reside. A large number of Cadets, including a company from Timaru, attended the funeral. Accident. —Mr Michael Frost, farmer, of Fairview, Studholmc, fell from a springcart loaded with kray. The straw slipped; Mr Frost fell with it. Dr Barclay, who attended, found the injured man suffering from sustained haemorrhage of the brain end paralysis. He succumbed to his in- . juries at 9.50 in the evening. Deceased, who was 70 years of age, was a. highly- ; respected settler. In the early days be and his brother were road contractors. The have been farming in the district itfor many years, and much sympathy is felt for the family in this untimely death. Nukuroa Ambulance Class. —The annual entertainment in connection with this very (•live society was held on Thursday evening. hMr J. Murray, the president, opened proceedings with a brief speech about the work of the members, and the doctors who gave instruction. After a pianoforte duet by Misses Ferguson and Evans, the follow ring oonrributed items: —Vocal selection, Misses P.oyd (encored), Wheeler (Timaru), rMeyer, and Messrs Hay (encored),' Smith, [iNeedham (encored), and P. Hunter; Mij'J. C. Strachan contributed a story and j recitation. The accompaniments were flayed by Misses Wheeler, Meyer, Hunter, and Mr Hay. Mr Hughson, superintendent iof the South Canterbury Ambulance Brijgade, presented the certificates, and ad- : dressed the class, who gave an ambulance •demonstration. After supper the school was fclearod for dancing. Following is the ■list of awards: —Ladies: Certificates — (Mrs Shrimpton, Misses O’Connor, Daisy Play man, Sarah Mellon, May Abraham, 'Mrs Duncan, Miss Roberts. Gentlemen: First-year first-aid certificates' —Ivan Hayman, J. Duncan, C. R. Hay; second-year vouchers. .J. C. Hay, J. C. Faulkner, C. R. Hay; medallions. .H. Shrimpton, W- -I. Roberts, W. Duncan, G. Duncan, H. H. Meyer; label —J. Murray.

CAVE (Soutli Canterbury).

'April 23. —The weather has been very 'boisterous —very cold, and enow fell on the hills on April 15. For a few days it appeared as if winter had set in for good; but we are getting fairly good samples of weather at present. Sales.—About 4000 sheep were yarded lor the sales. The morning was wet and cold, and there was not so large an attendance as usual. Bidding was a bit slack, but the most of the yarding was sold. Fat lambs Hold at 13s 3d to 14s lOd; forward lambs, 13s; wethers, 14s to 14s 6d; fat ewes. 8s 6d, 9s lOd, to lis; store lambs. 9s 9d to lis Id; backward lambs, 5s 6d ,to 8s Bd. A small line of two-tooth ewes realised 16s Bd, tnd a line of two-tooth halfbred tussock ewes was passed in unsold at 17s Bd. Rams were sold at half a guinea, and two-tooth English Leicester irams 2£ guineas. Collie Dog Club. —A meeting was hold titer the Cave sale in the railway goods fihed on April 15, when 25 were present. iMr T. D. Robertson was voted to the uhair Mr Robertson said he thought if ihey formed a Collie Dog Club to hold trials it should embrace the Albury and

Cave districts, a.nd as its success would depend on the membership list the support of residents from other localities such as the Point would be most welcome. As for a suitable place to hold the trials on, he would bo only too pleased to let them be held on part of his run. It was resolved-, on the motion of Mr W. Barrie, seconded by Mr C. W. Ensor — “ That a club bo formed, with a membership fee for active members of 10s 6d, and for honorary members ss. An amendment that the subscription be 5s met with little support. The election of officebearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr T. D. Robertson; vice-presidents— Messrs T. Simpson, C. H. Verity, W. Barrie, T. Smith, W. Wreford, G. H. B. Smith; committee-—Messrs T. D. Robertson. Hops'. Simpson, Ensor, James Stumbles, M'lnnes. Goughian, T. Smith ; secretary, Mr C. E. Kerr; treasurer, Mr T. D. Robertson. Mr Ensor promised a. cup, and Mr Robertson offered a special prize of one guinea. Messrs Hogg, Simpson, and Robertson were appointed to confer with the Albury settlers the date of the first trial to be decided upon at that meeting. It was suggested that, if possible. the trial should be held on a public holiday. Church Matters.—There has been activity in Church affairs in this district. A bazaar was ’ held at Albury Hall on Thursday a.nd Friday, the 21st and l 22nd of April, in aid of the building fund of the Presbyterian Church manse, and a complete clearance was made of the articles on which the ladies and members of the church had been working for months. When I put it this way I mean that friends belonging to other churches helped to supply articles for the sale, and all worked in union to make the bazaar a success. The takings amounted to £l4O. The treasurer has £IOO in hand, and the £l4O from the bazaar gives the church managers £240 to start with. They are to get a loan of £2OO from the church building fund for new charges at 2 per cent., so the Presbyterians are in a fairly good position to go on with the manse. The Rev. P. Wilson thanked all those who were in any way responsible for such good results. The Railway.—Matters in connection with the railway have been in a very unsa.tisfactorv state for some time. The want of trucks has been a sore point with those sending grain by rail. So long as the present Minister of Railways is at the helm we need not look for much relief. The Cave needs a railway stationmaster very badly. The trains pass each other at this noint, and- as it is a large _ district now and all settled there is a- considerable amount of grain, sneen. wool, and other traffic. Here is an incident to show what we have to nut mi with. A settler was sending 900 fat lambs to the freezing works. The expert arrived and selected the lambs, and the trucks were to_ be at the Cave the next morning, so in due time the la,mbs arrived at the Cave, but not so the trucks. The oulv course loft was to drive the lambs to the works. Some -of the farmers secured a traction to come and take awav their grain, and some carted their grain to Timaru from--Upper Pareora Valley, so--the- railways -lose a lot of traffic by not -having ■ trucks.-

200 500 Tl. T^.l. vc!.s. Corp. Walker ..■ ,-.-, •.. . .. '28 23 — 55 Trooper ">wyer .. 23 25 — 48 Trooper Straclian .. >. .. 26 21 — 47 Sergt. French 2"> 18 — 43 Sergt. Blaekie .. .. >. i .. 26 17 — 43 Corp. Uren .. 23 20 — 43 .. 22 19 — 41 Trooper J. Kennedy Of 15 — 40 23 16 — 39 Trooper ItusselJ .. .. '.'. 19 18 — 37 23' 19P 436

P. Roberts .. .. 33 ' 35 - - 63 T. Corry .. 33 33 - - GS R. York .. .v V. 32 •23 - - GO Cant. Roberts 29 - - 59 E. kl'Carkin’dale .. .. .. .33 28 - - 53 M. Corry .. 29 24 - - 53 W M'ltenzie ... 24 - - 51 C. Bennington- .. .. .. 27. 24 - - 51 T. Ellis .. 22 - - 50 A. W.' Robertson .. ... .. 28 21 - - 49 297 268 565