THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3017, 10 January 1912, Page 38

THE COUNTRY.

pjp Correspondents are reminded that all letters for the current week’s issue must reach. Dunedin NOT LATEB THAN MONDAY NIGHT. Letters coming to hand on Tuesday are too late, and are thus a week old when they appear.

LAKE CttUNTT. January 6 —Residents and visitors word fortunate in having ii.no weather during the holidays. At present the weather ia decidedly hot, and from present indications looks as if it will continue. At present Queenstown is full of visitors. Sports Gatherings. —During the holidays successful sport gatherings were held at Arrowtown, Arthur's Point, Queenstown, Maoetown, and Gibbston. Cricket. —A match was played, at Queenstown on Tuesday last between Queenstown and a team from the. Christian Brothers’ School, Dunedin. The latter won easily after a very pleasant game Afternoon tea was provided by the local team. General.—Mr F. M’Brido has sold (through Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co.) the Earnslaw Station. Head of Lake, to Mr H. Woodley, of Timaru. at a satis factory price.—Mr Alex. Fraeer has been, apiiointcd conductor of the Queenstown Brass Band.—The Queenstown Borough Council, in reply to a letter from the Otago Motor Association asking for co-operation in opening up the roads in Lake County for motor traffic, passed a motion .ciftapprovirrff of such traffic. —Mr P. E*worthy, of Timaru. accompanied by Mrs El worthy, brought Ills motor oar to Queenstown by steamer on Thursday evening. Ho motored right through from Lyttelton to Kingston. He loft for Pembroke this morning, having', 1 understand, obtained a» permit from Lake County Council. Hospital Saturday on the 30th ult. in Queenstown realised £l4 Is 2^-d. Obituary-—Very sincere regret was expressed througho'ut the whole of the district on Saturday last, when the news became known that Mr Robert Lee, of ‘‘Threepwood, 7 * Lake Hayes, luul' passed away. Although the late Mr Lee had been in a very bad state of health for some time, hi« end cam© somewhat suddenly. Born at Havdoa Bridge, Northumberland County, in 1849, the late Mr Leo came to New Zealand about 30 years ago. He took up his permanent residence in Wakatipu about seven years ago, mainly for the benefit of his family’s health. Ho was a man in every senee of the word, and deservedly respected by all creeds and classes. This district can ill affbrd to lose a man. of Mr Leo’s stamp, and it is very largely indebted to him for the valuable and lasting service he has rendered industrially anti commercially. As a mark of respect for the memory of deceased the flags in Queenstown were flown at half-mast on Saturday and Sunday Last. The - services in St Peter’s Anglican Churchy Queenstown, on Sundnv were memorial in character, the vicar (the Rev. H. Packc) paying high tribute to the sterling character of tne deceased gentleman, and tho valuable service rendered by .him to the Ohurch. ’lhe interment took place at Queenstown on Sunday, the Rev. H. Paoko conducting the service at the grave. As a token of the respect in which the late Mr Lee was held by the employees in the Kaitangata coal mine, a beautiful wreath has been placed hv them on the grave of their late managing director. —Old residents regretted to hear tho news of the death at. Dunedin on tho 30th nit. of Mr Francis Leyden, a former resident of the Skippers district. The late Mr Leyden was engaged in mining there in the early dnvs. and was highly resnected bv these who knew him. Social®.—A very successful social in aid of the Wakatipn Hospital was held in the Garrison Hal!. Queenstown, on New "Vear s Night. About 70 couples were present. First-class mu.de iva» supplied bv Mrs Fowler, Misses D. Warren and Dickson (piano). Refreshments on a liberal scale were provided by the Ladies’ Committee. —• At Arrowtown on tho same evening there was also a successful social held in the Athenaeum Hall in aid of the Arrow Hospital Tl,e-" v-ps a very Hrge attendance and the Ladies’ Committee, who carrier! out the social, and were able to hand over to the Hospital Committee the substantial sum of £l9. The music for the dance was surmlWl by Movers Stewart. t-D "venson. and .T. Dakevs (violins). Kenneth vr*r - t~: ■ -W and - 1 I—Atec Jisassisted at the piano. As M.C., Mr Sam VI-sii. jM-ijr woe t m right man in the right place. A plentiful «nnnlv of rofreehments was provided hv the ladies. TABLE r lICJanuaw 6.—The weather continues to bn vrn- bad, thone almost no end of rain. For instance, January 1 was a line day, anti the ground was dry enough tr. t- od.-C'l ’ ’•« T.'p-r -b was a heavy mist, and next morning a heavy downp- >i-. Tien tB- went,her was fi-p til! fi' 1 -”—' o f ?rd. wVn a deluge came down for an hour or two, 1 here wore pool; of water and small sri-.ams everywhere. To-day is tropically hoi. which may mean more rain at night. p ;l -><r onp-.it ions are practically at a standstill There are scarcely any turnips (>■ ,-Tid the tew ruit in are not very far advanced. If tho weather dees not clca*

Up seem it will be too late to sow them, ■•which, of course, will be a big loss. Crops.—The early-sown grain looks very promising. Doubtless owing to the bad weather, the small birds are not hr to ding, except in odd cases, and, maybe for the samo reason, on some farms hi ids are hard on the young turnips. There is a water weed that grows in all the small streams and swamps hei;e. The leaves ar e like oval rushs sin or 6iu long, of a pale areou and roots strike ou- every joint I do not think this is ; ive. It is a very useful plant, and - ids many a bite for th© stock. This y. young plants are to be found in ever . many places, in the garden and throug.i the paddocks where there arc surface spiv s and where there are small pools of wu. r. Shearing.—The farmers’ ■ nearing finished. It was done under many difficulties. It was impossible to give the sheep the consideration of former years. Sometimes they had to be kept tender cover for a longer time than usual, or they had to bo shorn when they were ary' and turned out irrespective of the weather. One of the farmers kept his flock in an extra few hours so as to dodge the storm, ihe wtoi is in fine condition and of good length and should bring a satisfactory price. Ihe lateness of some of the shearing made, the farmers a bit qnoasy owing to the bid-a-bids, but, luckily, they escaped thc-e pesrs. I think that during the month of November tho sheep were very .-eldom dry enough to shear. M® hear about t.yj danger of shearing wet sheen sometimes, but we never hear anything about the danger of stocking wet sheaves, and it ns quite a common occurrence to wet through to the skin doing this. TheiO would seam t» be very Ltd® danger in shearing sheep that are of such a small degree of dampness In them, that a specially designed instrument is necessary to detect tho dampness. If there is any danger at all, perhaps it is in omittmr to change tire clothes when the shearing ; done. Finnic and Sports.—On Ja: ary 1 wo had our annual picnic and sports in Mr Gbaa. Forsyth's grass paddock adjoining the Schoolhouse. a fine, well-she.teied situation. Owing to the uncertainty of the weather, the attendance was not quite' up to former years, still tho surrounding oen trog wore- represented, and a very enjoyable time wo® the result. Tea, provided by the committee, and made in smith quantities as required, was on hand in abundance at an early hour, and the. visitors brought an abundance of good things. The various sports were well contested; and the prizes wore good and useful articles, a mincing machine and pocket knives being some of them, which meant much judgment on tho part of the Selection Committee. Tire business people in Milton always support these sports with a liberal -hand, also our M.P. In tho evening a concert was held in tho school house in aid of the school funds, and a fine programme was rendered. The room was comfortably tilled. The Rov. T. N. Cuttle occupied the chair, and was a host in himself. Tho receptions accorded the various items were very extensive and gratifying, especially when Messrs Cuttle and Norman’s items touched on matrimony. Tho school children wero_ to tho front, and did very well. Little Norman Smith and Lucy Forsyth gave r*-ci-tations, and there was a picturesque item in which three little girlies (Hannah and Mary Thompson and Bell Gregory, Milton) sang the different nursery rhymes wh-eb never grow old. There were organ solo# by Misses L. Bruce and Perry; songs by Mr Bruce, Mies Perry. Mrs Forsyth. Mrs Smith (Reef); reading by Messrs Forsyth and Norman; recitations and anecdotes by Rov. Mr Cuttle; duet, by Mrs Fortyth and Miss Bruce; humorous recitations by Messrs Guise Bros. (2). Misses Bruce and Perry divided the accompaniments. Then there were abundant refreshments, and home in good time. TAIIAICOPA VALLEY. January 8. —Since my last notes <ver& penned the year a.d. 1911 has run its course and passed away for ever. It came to us a year ago in smiling sunshine with great heat, and so continued for the greater part of its period, ultimately, in October, giving way to the very opposite, with cutting hailstorms and cold rains, which in a milder form restored hope and confidence in tho north of the province; but by the steady persistence of storm and stress in Southland and South Otago inflicted upon us a measure of that poverty of the soil which other parts had experienced in days of balmy sunshine and continued heat and drought. The cold thus continued with us, however, practically till the Christmas, but to our relief tho New Year has rome to •us in assuring sunshine with refreshing brightness, calling forth the flowers and fragrance of both field and forest. Tho greenness of the grass is now brightened by tho blooms of the various clovers, and ©von the weeds flaunt their irrepressible -colours despite our efforts to repress them, while all vegetable life seems desirous to respond and exhibit a grateful homage to the great Ruler of the universe by expanding and elevating their little forms as near to heaven as their capabilities will allow. Are they not speaking to us in silent eloquence? We have escaped the devastating floods which have done so much harm elsewhere, and now, with true summer weather streaming down upon us. we have so much to bo devoutly thankful for, and as creatures the most richly endowed of all creation should not. our attitude in a greater degree bo that, of the humbler life around us? Holidays. The Christmas holidays brought, as usual, visitors from the crowded towns and elsewhere to breathe the punair of our favoured district. They braved the prospects of a four hours’ rough iournoy over most appalling roods, that were severe upon th© poor coach horses, who find it hard struggling even on that part of the road which may be level, and at a walking pace, Down the hills, whenever a little speed could be got up. tho motion of the coach to the passengers partook more of the nature of a boating trip at sea in heavy weather. Nevertheless when landed safe at Mrs Scott’s, all expressed themselves as delighted with the district, which to many is like being in another delightful and glorious country-, and it was with much regret that they found the holiday allowed, but a brief stay where every prospect is pleasing and only- roads aro y-Jlo. Oh, hasten the railway! Progress.—The township of Papatowai. •which a few years ago was surveyed, and when offered for sale brought little or no response from the public, is now locked after; and where onlv Mrs Scott’s little store and accommodation tent once stood there now stands her mod up-to-date boarding establishment —a good-sized cosy, sheltered dwelling surrounded yyith a neat little garden, which can be viewed from two sides by a promenade verandah; and

in addition to this the township reveals two other settlers’ dwellings—intelligent men, who have each erected domiciles that call for only one remark; they are unworthy of the surroundings, for both men are cultured and enthusiastic gardeners and botanists, and as a consequence have surrounded themselves with a visible paradise, and with fruits and flowers are living in an earthly Eden. But, alas ! they _ are each without perfection; they as yet have no one' to share it. Mr Mlm. Lawson, one of our large landowners, storekeeper, and coach proprietor, at urgent request, purposed building in the township to provide extra accommodation for visitors. The timber, which was with expense and difli- , cult 3' carted from Ratanui, still lies in a heap by the wayside, for weather conditions have been so continuously bad that it gave no chance to erect the frame in time for this season. But Mr David Mackenzie, one of the sons of the respected Minister of Agriculture has. however, in face of much difficulty, succeeded in getting a week-end cottage built by Mr Claude Martin on a section fronting the river and near the Florence Cheek, with a wide outlook seaward. The building is a novel and unique one. It has a fair-sized dwelling room, two bedrooms, and a kitchen. It is an intensified variation of the present craze for ancient architecture. It is certainly much better than a tent. The .small bedrooms with dwarf walls and low ceilings will provide a measure of comfort suitable . to those who are surfeited with the elaborate, the commodious 1 , tend the unnecessary comfort, and just the thing to remind them of the life and conditions of our far-back progenitors, who were great in body and mind rather than in wealth and luxurious dwellings, when carpets for the squires were drawn not from Turkey, but straw from the barn floor. It is a suitable building for the brief holiday, when men and some women delight to relapse into that state that human nature seems to pine for at times, and we get. near to that primitive state when men stood face to face with Nature surrounded with the great forest life, nourishing the feathery ferns at their base ana the ohoraling birds in their branches by the stream of the valley and the strand of the seaside. The young proprietor, in the liopc of having it ready for his parents and 1 sisters, urged on the building, that they in turn might spend the holiday in quiet retirement in his new bungalow; but the state of the country politically kept the. Hon. Thomas Mackenzie from the muchneeded rest, postponed perhaps till divested of the high and honourable position in the Cabinet, he may yet rest a brief while here till the \oice of the country calls him back to. a department of usefu,nese, where he has exhibited an ability that is not only recognised, but approved. Sports.—The annual holiday was heid on New Year’s Day at the seaside by the mouth of the river. . There was a goodly , <>■ adhering of settlers and tamilies, augindented by some of Mrs Scott’s temporary boarders. Sports and races for the youn<f ; folk were improvised, and they entered : heartily into the various events. Inc day was delightful, and everyone seeiped to eujov themselves till the hour of 5 p.rn , when tlie gathering scattered to thenvarious homes, where the cows awaited that attention that could not be dispensed with So ended the memo ot /9U-J2. Shall wo all bo there a year hence.' Mho knows. POM AH AKA II9WXS. January 3.—As is well known over a/!l New Zealand the weather has been most atrocious since the middle of October up to December 23, on widen date the glass showed signs of rising higher (and stopping there) than it had been for months past. Christmas Day was splendid, and so ware the rest of the holidays up to Now \ ear s Night. The following day tJieie was some gentle rain, but that was very beneficial to the crops after the fine week of heat which we experienced. The custom for some j ears was for_ the w eat tier to change for the better on Dunedin fcfhow Day, but this year the change only came with the Christmas holidays , ' The Farm.—For a long time there was little or no growth. Cold, bleak, wot, stormy days kept back everything. A wonderful change lias como over the scene llie-e last 10 days. Cr..p6 of oats that looked most languishing are now recovering, and other croiis of oats aie looking splendid. 1 never saw the oat crop locking better. All over Wairuna the same tale can be told. Especially must I mention a crop of winter-sown oats belonging to Mr James Now-son. I ntver saw bettor. It stands level with the fence, and not yet shot. Rape sown about the middle of October did not do well. I hear of its not coming at all in some places, but it may sprout out now, us mine is doing. I was verv doubtful about my rape until I had a i'.xik at it after the cnange in the weather, and 1 was surprised to see how the little plants were shooting ahead- Reading a good deal ab ml maize, I resolved to try a Tittle, which 1 sowed in drills in the gar- . The ground hail been well manmed. A few plants came through ali right. 1 looked along the rows for signs of ihe rest, but I could oniy see tiny holes in the soil 'just as I had sown the seed. Then the conclusion dawned on me that the birds had been watching me sow ing the sc. cl and came to sample it. On finding that inaiz© was a verv toothsome pickle, they seem to have taken the rows in a face. Then they attacked the plants which Came through, and so far as I can roe these are only two plants left. I never looked for a great profit on this venture, but I am afraid it will be a decided loss. The potato crops arc looking very well. The last few days a lot of turnips have been sown, and they will come away like- mushroom’s with this weather. The crops will be all later than last year Even the Californian thistle is hanging back. Entertainments. —On the evening of Friday, 22nd December, a concert was held in Wairuna School, and prizes delivered to the children, and a merry evening was spent. Then, at the Sunday forenoon service in Wairuna Church, Rev. Mr Blair ■ presented prizes to the Sunday schco’ children. On Christmas Day- there was a picnic in Mr Stab’s bush. It is custo- j mary for all families on these festive occa- ; s'ons to take plenty of eatables with them. I These arc then all pooled into on lot and handed round when Lunch comes on. I hear a good dial.of complaint about certain sections of the community coming to this picnic but bringing nothing with them, [ although they enjoyed a ve.ry good lunch. It is certainly rather a mean-looking thing to do. On New Year’s Day we again | enjoyed fine weather, and there was a fair | gathering of people to witness the sports on the nicely-situated recreation grounds. I After that came the concert and dance, and then back to auld claea and parridgo".

JIEVIS. January I.—The whirligig of time has brought us once more to a fresh milestone on the road of time, and once more we greet each other with the well-worn, but not by any means obsolete, “happy New Year,’’ which I send along most heartily to ail readers as well a,s the busy staff of the Otago Witness, including the courteous editor. May the now year bring peace, progress, and plenty, and usher in fresh triumph of truth and righteousness, and wherever want or sorrow or shame has laid their cold and heavy hand, may that hope “which springs eternal in the human breast” still shine on their pathway and bring a 'brighter day. Weather.—Wo have been exulting oyer the beautiful change in the weather during the last 10 days, which has put quite a now complexion in our gardens and farms. Growth of every kind is fast making up for previous slackness. Water for our busy miners is abundant, as the fold rains of the last month have given tne higher tops of the mountains a fresh covering, which promises well for the res! of the season.

Wedding.—lt is my pleasure to again record the happy union of one of our enterprising settlers in the bonds of matrimony, Mr Hiohard Toms and Miss Grocott having consented to run in double harness over the road of life. I wish for them the pleasantest of journeys. Roads. —I am sorry to have to report that our roads from Cromwell have been somewhat damaged by the heavy downpour of rain on the Eastern side of the Garrick Range. School.—The annual school picnic takes place at the school grounds, and we are hoping for a fine afternoon, but at the time of writing the prospect is not too bright. Our school attendance is on the up-grade. There are some 21 on the roll, with the prospect of an increase in the near future. Progress.—There are two new cottages going up just on the north side of Galvens Creek, wht-h is a good indication of a growing population. Mining.—The Lower Nevis Hydraulic claim has had a very fair wash-up. and bids fair to give its patient owners a dividend soon. Graham and party also have had a satisfactory - clean-up. The dredges, so far as I know, are all paying their way, but. I do not think there are °nv sensational returns. Shale.—l am afraid that our hopes re the shale deposits here are doomed to be disappointed, as I note that an application for the abandonment of the area, granted for prospecting has been grant'd. Sport.—Hares are becoming 'e numerous at the Upper Nevis. ‘ oar tv of three recently bagged six. ar - v about 23 one day last week.—Fish a:e very scarce and hard to nick up owing to the fouling of the streams by sh - eng. January 8. —After the very protracted spell of (unsettled cold v vs trier, and the holiday period with a ( c.nge so much for the batter, we are b- inning to forget our troubles. Christmas Day and Boxing Day wore just .about all that could be desired for pleasure-seekers and excursions, and picnic .parties hud a good time of it. Dine- weather for the holidays is very desirable a.n.d really very acceptable, and much prized, as so many have no other opportunity during the whole year to enjoy themselves to the. full and without iestraint. Holiday Resort.—-Riverton on Boxing Day is very much patronised by the residents of Invercargill and. that part of Southland within a radius of at least 20 miles. With Riverton only 26 .miles from Invercargill, the future residents of the southern metropolis have a. splendid holiday resort, easily .available by a well-organised railway service and by motor cars, which, 1 have no doubt, will yet be largely taken advantage of, and most probably so long before the population, has been cither doubled: or trebled. A petition has been presented to the Railway Department to -have some train alterations made to enable towr.ispoc.ple to reach Riverton and return from there to Invercargill more easily than at present ; but I believe the request for those facilities has not been acceded

to. Bluff Regatta. —The people of Invercargill have at present at least two days in the year on which they turn out in large numbers —viz., Boxing Day (already referred to) and January 2, when tile Bluff is crowded, not &o much for tho regatta, as for a day’s enjoyment sauntering all over beach and hill picnicking. The weather (being highly favourable, the opportunity was taken full advantage of. Races. —There is a counter attraction in the races on tihe Alvtosb Bush R/ioocoureo, which was patronised this year more than ever in its history. General observation of the different class of parti* s or particular members of the community attending tho Southland Racing Club’s, meetings, and these of a kindred nature, has forced the conclusion homo that die ladies are attending in greater numbers every year, and •participating in the gambling propensity so far as the totalisator can meet the demand to satisfy the tendency. The attendance at these meetings all over Southland has increased very much this laft year, and it is also a noticeable feature at all gatherings of any kind whatsoever that young p/ople espcctiallv preponderate, and elderly people are a (linrfini'shing quantity. It is only natural. I think, to expect such with a yearly increasing ratio of native-born population, and to attribute it to any other causes might lead to unreasonable and incorrect inferences. I do not w-Lsh to moralise t o much, but I do not consider it wise to attempt to restrain tile prochvit’o,s of young people for recreation or for outdoor sports, provided there are no vicious, demoralising, or debasing tendencies. There is a time and place for everything under the sun. and when those are properly guided and controlled thev have their value, and can be made ludpful fir •physical and moral training, despite their abuses when wrongly used. Library.—We have a public library, which is very- poorly /patronised, and under present conditions it is hardly to be expected Mr Carnegie would feel inclined to extend 1/is patronage. The subscribers are just sufficiently numerous to ensure the annual subsidy. ~ The winter season always producers an increased mi ruber of readers. A considerable number of its most ardent supporters have left the district, which largely accounts for the present state of affairs. It is to be hoped it has got to its lowest ebb tide, and that a more prosperous and speedy development in its upward and onward career will take place. Libraries sometimes languish in other districts, and

’ but for one or two public-spirited parties would disappear. The Farm. —Agricultural and pastoral operations and all kinds of crops are about a month later than last year. There is an abundance of giia.ss, and all the earlysawn crops are looking remarkably well; but jsome of the late ones are not going to be- up to the average. I do not think I ever saw a better prospect for wheat than there is cu Bayswater this year, both in the autumn and spring-sown crops. I can /scarcely see anything like an excellent crop of potatoes, most- of them being late, like everything else. There is a very large area under ryegrass, and moot of it seems as if it would not lie- ready for cutting till near the end of this month. In some districts in Southland where turnips are thinned by this time they are just brairded, and there is still a considerable acreage to be got in if rime can be scoured for the work. There is not a great quantity of linseed crop this year, and a very large part of it is not doing well. It also is too lure, and between tihe low price likely to be paid and the danger it necessarily incurs. when so late from early frosts before it can be ripened this year, it is a crop not to be depended upon at all. 1 Shearing.—The shearing is now proceeding apace, and the next wool sale in Invercargill has every prospect of being the largest ever held there. TAPAMI. January B.—Holiday-makers generally Have returned to their homes, and workers have began to settle down to their vnr.ous vexatious for another year. Fortunately the weather was fine an the principal days, and pleasure-seekers ware enabled to enjoy the different outings. Outside sports gatherings at Kelso and Horiot, the chief lorrn of amusement is picnic parties, and many wore hold in the favourite resorts of Black Gully, Whisky Gully, Rankleburn, etc. A large number of local residents leave for other parts during the holidays, but, on the other hand, visitors about balance matters. With the advent o; 1912 there is every indication of another prosperous veilr, and so far as this diet net is concerned residents generally have little room for complaint. Farm Work. —Farmers are just now experiencing a specially busy time. The past few days have been the only real summer weather we have had so far, and a long, unsettled spell meant delay in turnip sowing, shearing, etc. A few weeks’ fine weather, however, would see work well in hand, and the heat is resulting in great growth. The station shearingsheds are now well forward, and farmers’ clips do not occupy much time in shifting from the sheep’s backs to the sale room. A good deal of wool is being sold in the shed, and there should be a large quantity in for the second sale in Dunedin on the 23rd inst. Growers are well satisfied at the prices going, and with high values for wool and me"at there are no terrors of bad times. Deaths..—The old identities are going rapidly, and the past few weeks have seen quite a number laid to rest. Mrs Alexander Russell, formerly of Glenkenich who died at Gore lust week, was one of the best stamp of early pioneers, and a woman, highly esteemed. Yesterday afternoon a very old settlor on Tapanui Flat passed away in the person of Air Daniel Robertson. Although ho had reached the great a.ge of 84- years, the old gentleman was well and hearty up to a few days before his death, and was moving about ; tlie farm. He suffered a paralytic stroke, and did not rally. He was a man greatly esteemed by all who knew him, and one of the very bo-st class of farmers. Ho leaves a widow and grown up family. Mr and Alia Robertson bad intended leaving tho farm and residing in the township, where a residence is now- in course of erection for thorn. Another ead death was that of Aire Bryant, who came to Tapanui I during the holidays to visit friends. She had just arrived by train and entered Air Sheddan’s house, when she expired from heart failure. Needless to say, Airs Pheddan and family received a great shock. An inquests wa held, and it was shown that the deceased lady had been attended for heart trouble, and a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned. The remains were removed to Lawrence for interment, the 'family having resided there formerly. It is said that misfortunes never come singly,. Whilst the Sheddan family were concerned /.it the sudden death of Mrs Bryant, news was received of tlhe death of Mis Sheddan’s (mother (Airs Al'Phail* in Southland. The •body was brought to Tapanui by rail on ! s aturday, and yesterday taken to Aliller’s iFlat for interment beside tho remains- of her Jato husband, who was an early day . i-ettlcr in that locality. Personal. —I notice Air J. R. Mackenzie j is in this district once more, looking in excellent form after his holiday tour to the ifHcl Country. Air Ala-kenzie is “up to his eyes ” in the stock business, and ex liort and' import trade, and it is to he hoped ihi-s health will permit him to continue on (the war path. His import/tions are of benefit to horse, sheep, and cattle-breeders, land his enterprise in th s lino is to bo (commended. He has an id >al property on Romney Downs at Greonvale, and will no j doubt turn _ off a lot of valuable stud j stock them in the near future. Races.—The annual raae meeting is again I at hard, «.rd it is expected that there will j ho a successful fixture on the 24th and j 25th. The leeally-own-d Palisade has done | well at Dunedin anti Inv,-rcai gill meetings, j appropriating a good stoke at each place. . Tho great increase in the total is a tor re- • ceip/s at the different meetings is evidence i of the amount of money bookmakers were j handling, and the clubs generally are hav- i ing good times. St/me important improve- j mentis are to ho made cn the local course i in accordance with the recommendations of i tho Racing Comm : s-ion. Swimming Both.—The Corona.'ion swim- I ining both in the towrehip ie just about completed, and should the hot weather contine. its opening w.ill be a boon to those who like a dip. The bath is a substantial affair, well constructed, and enclosed with a galvanised iron fence. When funds permit of asphalting, etc., it will ho an attractive spot, and well natronised. during 'the summer months at all events. TI APEK.i MOITH. January 6. —During the last few days we have experienced a decided improvement fn the weather, and the change/ is greatly appreciated by everyone. The shearers are busy throughout tihe district now, bat with the exception of tho last week or two they (have had bad. shearing weather, and oomseouently there are no big cheque* so far. Tho sheep are shearing well, and the clip

I appears to be a little better and heavier | than last year’s. Practically the whole of the wool clip from ((his. locality will be j offered for sale in Duuedirj at the second 1 wool sale. | Crops.—The surrounding country is now looking in Madid condition, there being an abundance of grass everywhere. The majority of the rape and turnip crops are now sown, and seem to have established Uiemsclyeti firmly, and got a good start. I L'ao grain crops are in s.itend'd condition, I arc * some of thorn are out in ear. and give promise of a splendid yield. Several fields of good grass are also in evidence, and will spoil bs ready- -for harvesting. Holidays. 'During the week the majority i 1 j j ,le farmers have coastcl farm work to '.cieorate tee festive season in one way i° r another, some making their way into 1 l pp’ w . u a!1( l others entertaining visitors a.t their .arms. Pne local shows. Lawrence and j ovaitahuna, wore both favoured by fine j weather, and drew excellent crowds. The ! competition was keen on each occasion, and i show provided a pleasant day’s amuse- ; ment. I Traffic.—The new steamer, g.s. j Clutha, does not as yet seem to be in good j '.vorking order. Whjle on file usual trip up 1 the river to Tuapekia, Mouth on the 22nd I sonic t steam pipes burst when just below '■y\gg s. O wing to the holidays being so vlcse at -hand, repaid could not be promptly 'effected so the Clutha will be unable to-, 'reach Tuapeka Mouth till the holidays ara 'over. .^‘•<>> la t> on Hall.—Affairs in connection witn the Coronation Hall at Tnapeka Month are now assuming a more definite form, the contract! for the building having been o ,1° i 3NIr C f eo - Bulfin. * The Hon. D. Budido lias also granted a,n extension of time for the Coronation subsidy, which wus granted «r>mc time ago. The building should therefore be completed in a very short time Picnic and Snorts.—A picnic is to be held at Tnapeka Mouth on Tuesday, January 2. and a small sports programme will also be run off on that occasion. WAIWEKA January 8. —Like other parts of the Dominion, we have passed through 'months of very changeable weather, and sometiunes it wad rouijh and .stormy. However, in the meantime this is ail changed, and we arc getting some very hot days. Still, it docs not seem to be altogether settled, and a change at any time will not startle us Farm \\ ork.—All farm work that had been considerably kept back is being pushed ahead with all possible speed. Shearing ■by the time this note appears will be pretty well through. Those operations, too, have been consider;;bly delayed, causing much extra trouble and some considerable lose in some cases. However, alls well that ends well, so if good prices are get fch© past will soon bo forgotten. Holiday Season.—The holiday season 7>assed off much on the same lines as usual. Picnics were held on Christmas Day and sports on New Year’s Day. Some of the entertainments we have lately been • favoured with have been of a much higher standard than vve have sometimes been treated to! The result of the competitions held in the largo centres is rapidly spreading* to the country districts, and I am sure, generally £]leaking, our audiences are moving- w'th the times, and cannot now be satisfied with any trash meted out to us as music. Drops.—On looking around I notice th© harvest will soon be on in places with the early oat crops. Grass seed cutting, too, will soon be commenced. Crops serm to vary a good deal, eorne being very heavy others very fair, the low-lying land being in places too wet for the beat results. The early rape, too, has had a very severe check, anti in places had to be' re-sown. This will be a considerable lose to those who depend so much on it for fattening their lambs. Buoh are the uncertainties of the farmer’s life. Shows.—Urn'ortunately I was not able to •iltend any of our Jast shows. It, however, saw and know well some of the stock shown, and some of the horses that got placed high up in the prize-list, and in several cases one particularly high in rank. This, with the remarks from various writers in the papers about such things aa “ our wool is rotten,” and “ three-legged horses coming put on top,” etc., considerably shake one’s faith and make a person wonder if after all there is any general benefit derived from the shows as they air© now conducted. I doubt it very much. The Train Service.—l notice our friends living near the Kuriwao Siding are trying to get some of the slow trains to stop and take up and put down passengers. This seems very reasonable, as any delay thus caused would be very trifling indeed, and would bo a great benefit to the people. I may mention here that I had a chat with a friend who resides near the Kuriwao School and township, sometimes f ailed tha Kuriwao Gorge School. He informed me that at present 'it was very misleading, especially to strangers, to have the railway elation called Kuriwao, while the surveyed Kuriwao township, which is several miles distant, is under the name of Kuriwao. Ho suggests that some change ought to b© made, either the one or the other getting another name, as both parte o r the district are rapidlv growing in importance. This seems only reasonable. CI.VBKVAI.fi January 5. —A very pretty wedding was celebrate;! here on Wednesday, the contracting partis being Mbs Catherine May Copeland and Mr James Porteous Barr, both of Olydevale. The church was pio turesquclly decorated, and its holding capacity was taxed to the utmori. The Rev. Mr Richards officiated. Th© bride, who was given away by her father, Mr D. 13. Copeland, looked charming in a white silk gown with the customary veil and wreath. The bridesmaids were Misses Barr (2), Miss hylic Copeland (sister of the bride}, and Mbs Nora-h Mitchell, and their white silk frocks and pink picture hat© made a very pleasing effect. A sumptuous repast was provided for the guests, and was) partaken of in the hall. The customary toasts were proposed and responded to, after which the happy couple left by motor car for Balclutha, there to catch tha express for the north, Woathcr. —Intermittent show'era still continue to fail practically every dav, and things aro very backward, a late harvest being inevitabl. Rust is reported to be very bad In oat crop©, and the last heavy rain put acres of heavy crop© on tha ground. Correction. —In re the report on the ■Women’s Guild bazaar, it appears that tha takings amounted to £27 10s, not £l9, as previously stated, thus making a handsome profit of about £l4,

KAHVIKA; January 8.-The weather durmgihoKst two weeks has been splendid, rbeannard Mtse&r%t£~k ijs^zt ss&zp &— SS» (fnciudin" the bagpipes) full swing. far Roes (handicapper) and Mr Goombor (judge) were kept buty most of the time, and earned out their dutt.e in suoh a manner that most of the lih,at night contained: a victor. A very creditable and pleasing feature m the day * proceedings was a Christmas tree containing a gift from Father Christmas for every jSwSlf prefir-nt. Tho Bojw.l Commute, wish to thank all who assisted in making these events possible, especially Mre I gram, Miss Gray, and the other ' ~ of the Kahuika Tennis -Club, who■ k« donated the Wherewithal far the £hn~tmos tree. I often think our remembrance of tlio children at Christmas time w w « the most pleasing traits in our and the saying, “It is more Weseed | than receive ” was fully borne cut, as au £ benefit by the happiness of the dhildren. A very enjoyable time was spent. A dance was held m the echoolhome •--In this district the roads are in a shameful state, and detracted tt blv from the enjoyments ot the festive 6«a*on. The post fine weather has now left the roods in a fit.stete to work on b but as yet, there is no sign of a surfaceman. On* hundred pounds on account of a WW grant was put on the and given fn charge of the County Oounoi. to coiO out the work. Unless a start is made directly, it will be impossible to finish Om work 'before the weather again breaks. We, therefore sincerely hope the Govern ment will fulfil its promise and witndrau all road grams not started at ome by the county and put them m charge of Mu Parkert’s department, so that they may bo started without the long-diawn pro liminairios in connection with county administration.

MILDVRN. January 8.-After a prolonged spell of wet, oold weather, a decided improvement has taken place this last few days. W arm weather is now wanted, as the ground is thoroughly soaked, and already some ot the crops are laid. The yield promises to bo a heavy one, although the harvest will be later than usual. Grass is abundant, and several farmers and graziers are understocked, but they do not think it profitable to stock up at present owing to the high price of all stock. The tin nip crop has been very irregular in brairaing. and a lot has had. to be resown, and quite a lot has yet to be sown. . , . Wedding.—A wedding of consider able local interest was celebrated in tho church on December 20, when Mr John Grey, oldest son of Mr John -Grey ot Otaut.au, was united in marriage with Miss Kate Chalmers, youngest daughter of Mrs Chalmers, Milburn. The ceremony was performed' by the Rev. T. N. Cuttle. The bride was attended by Misses Chalmers, E J Grey, and Jeannie Grey as bridesmaids, and Mr O. Grey was best man. A splendid breakfast was laid out at the residence of tho bride’s mother, and after the usual speeches tlio happy couple left for Dunedin by motor car, en route for Hanincr Springs,, and thence to Balfour, their now homo. The presents were both numerous and handsome, including a very handsome spirit'kettle presented to tho bride from the Milburn Church congregation, whore she has acted as organist for a number of years. . Concert.—Owing to the extremely inclement weather, the school concert was postponed till February. Tho Christmas church services wore also affected. Combined Picnic. —A short time ago tho Rev. T. Cuttle proposed to hold a parish picnic, but as the sohooi committee had not sufficient funds to take the children for a trip, it was agreeed to have a combined picnic. This was held on New Year’s Day in a paddock kindly lent by Mr W. Grey. There was a large attendance, visitors being present from Table Hill, Circle Hill, Clarendon, Akatoro, Milton, and other places. Games and races were heartily indulged in, and a very sociable spirit prevailed. Personal. —Messrs James Grey, R. Henderson. G. Cooper, and J. M‘Grouthor were elected to tho Church Committee for tho ensuing term. Loss of Sheep.—Owing to the cold and wet weather just after shearing, one small runholder reports a loss of over 150 sheep. EIVUiTROON. January 6. —We are now enjoying some fine weather. Tho last four days have been all that could bo desired, and we hope it will keep fine now for a spell. During December wo had 764 points of nun,, and for the year ending December 31, 19li, we had 24in 33 points, and so far this year 142 points. The Farm. —Farm work has been at a standstill for the last month, but with fine weather next week, tho work will be pushed along. There are a lot of turnips to hoe, and potatoes to earth up. It will require fine weather to get through the work before tiro harvest is on us. All the crops are looking well; I don’t know of a poor orop about the district. Some of the early-sown oats are being severely dealt with by tho sparrows. One fannier started to cut oats three weeks ogn, and they are not out yet, the land being too wet to carry the (reaper. Shearing has been a very broken job this season. There are several* lots to shear yet. A start will be made again oh Monday to got them finished. Guessing Competition.—Tire sheep-guess-ing competition in connection with tho Caledonian Sports held on Boxing- day -was very close. No one guessed the correct weight, 12131 b, but there were throe ties for the nearest weight (Mr Sidy Simpson, Otlako, IBljlb; Mr Ik L. M'Bean, Duntroon, 1221 b; and Mr R. Ledingham Georgetown, 122ib). The prizes were pooled and divided amonsf the above three gentlemen. There were 208 guesses, and wtih a few exceptions’ tho guesses wore very close. Tho sheep was sold by tender for 27s 6d, the total result of the competition being 1 j£ll 15s 6d. Tho thanks of the society are due to Mr J. Sutherland for presenting the sheep, and to Me&jrs J. Hedley and I). Neil for their energy in finding coinpetiJprS.