COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5457, 8 January 1896, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

The Crops. — It is estimated that the gale oriv Saturday and on Monday has reduced the promised average yield of oats in North Canterbury by fully ten bushels to the acre. * * * -

The Grass*. Seed Harvest. — The steamers Jane Douglas and John Anderson, on -their trip to tKo "bays of Banks Beninsula yesterday, took a large number, of grass-seeders for the cocksfoot harvest, which is now about to commence.

. Small Birds Nuisance.— At the regular monthly meeting of the Temuka Eoad Board, the Overseer reported that eggs and heads of small birds had been coming in* very rapidly during the holidays. .On Saturday he had received no less than 1650 dozen. Members of the Board who receive eggs at different centres also stated that the numbers coming to them were in excess of previous years. It was stated tliat the small boy was in the habit of farming the sparroV to advantage, never taking all the eggs, but leaving a nest egg, and regularly making the rounds of the nests. One boy was reported to have taken several dozens from one nest alone.

Scholastic. — At a meeting of the Timaru School Committee on Monday evening a letter was received from Mr T. W. Wake, 8.A., resigning the post of headmaster of the school, which he has held for six years. The letter stated that Mr Wake was relinquishing the profession, and the Chairman of Committee, Mr Grandi; said he understood that Mr Wake intended to take up the profession of law. The committee passed a resolution — " Tliat whilst accepting Mr Wake's notice of resignation we regret exceedingly the necessity tliat has arisen to cause pSr Wake's resignation, and desire to expross our best wishes-.that he may be as successful in his new sphere as his heart desires, and that a copy be forwarded to Mr Wake."

Culverden. — Our correspondent writes '. — On Saturday afternoon a strong .nor'wester was blowing, which continued until nine o'clock, when rain fell.' The roof of the woolshed at Montrose was damaged by the wind. On Monday rafternoon tli-5, nor'-wester became a gale, and damaged several buildings. Tl;e iron roof and weather-boards on one side of the hotel stable were stripped off. The crops have all greatly suffered, being Ablown down, and those that , were nearly ripe being blown) out. I hear complaints of smut in most of the oat crops,,, and oh making inquiries find that the turnjp crop is not a success, some places having missed, and the present dry weather is against it. The Culverden. Estate has already sent away two lots of splendid cross-bred lambs. .