OTOKIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3768, 1 June 1926, Page 51

OTOKIA.

May 99 —The weather, which at all times iB of such vital interest to the farming community, has not been very genial of late, and while we were fortunate enough to escape the heavy and persistent downpour which Dunedin experienced a week ago, still there lias been much broken weather, and the temperature hae been very low. Threshing operations have been delayed by the showers, and in some instances the stooks have been standing in the paddocks for many weeks before being threshed. This must inevitably result in a good deal of inferior grain. But if the grain crops have suffered ae a result of the wet weather, the grass and root crops havs benefited. Stock

generally is in excellent condition, and though we are approaching the second month of winter, very few farmers have yet had to resort to artificial feeding. Welcome Home.—Who invented the custom tin canning, and whether it is of ancient or recent origin, I do not know, but that the practice is carried out with vigour in this district was made apparent one night lecently, when Mr and Mrs Hugh Sprott arrived from their honeymoon to take up their residence here. The night was dark and stormy, but that did not deter the real dents from turning out in large numbers to welcome Mr and Mrs Sprott, though, if the “night was filled with music/' it waß of the species produced by the violent application of a stout stick upon a tin can. Round and round the little house the procession moved to the accompaniment of a steady tattoo. When it was considered that the newly-arrived couple had been sufficiently “tin canned,” an adjournment was made to the house, where a very happy evening was spent. In a neat speech Mr A. P. Fleming welcomed Mr and Mrs Sprott. and wished them much happiness and prosperity in their new home Songs and. recitations were given, those contributing being Miss Smith, Messrs A. Steven, A. Gillespie, R. Hutton, and Cecil Sprott Supper was handed round, and games and choruses made up a thoroughly enjoyable evening.