GUMMIE’S BUSH.

Western Star, Issue 13, 7 February 1874, Page 6

GUMMIE’S BUSH.

[FEOM OtTE COEEESPONDENT.]

Some of the farmers in this neighbourhood have commenced cutting self-sown oats, which appear to yield a tolerably fair crop. In the course of a fortnight, if the weather continues fine, harvesting will become pretty general, and in most cases there will be a good return. But what the farmers are to do for labour is the allimportant question. If labour cannot bo procured, it is feared that much grain will be lost from being over-ripe. However, I trust that the Western District—the largest agricultural district in Southland —will not suffer from want of hands, especially as the roads, which have been a bug-bear for many years, are how on the point of completion, so that the farmers will be able to cart their produce to market at about half the cost of previous years. The Western District Farmers’ Club have for some time past been exerting themselves on this most important subject —viz., labour.

On Thursday, the 29th ult., the newly-elected ochool committee met at Gummie’s Bush Schoolhouse to examine the accounts, &c., previous to the master sending in his yearly returns to the Board. There were present—Messrs. P. L. Francis (chairman), Hopcroft, Walker, Allison, Jus. Clark, and the Hon. W. H. Nurse.

2 hear that Mr. Tuson intends giving another musical entertainment very soon. The annual treat of the Gummie’s Bush Sunday school children took place in the paddock adjoining the school-house, on Monday, the 2nd inst., under the auspices of the Rev. Mr. Tanner, and several ladies and gentlemen from Eiverton. After amusing themselves during the day at cricket and other games incidental upon such occasions, and after having stowed away their full quota of buns, fruit, &c., provided by the master, Mr. Tuson, they were called into the schoolroom to witness some legerdemain, performed by an amateur prestidigitateur, from Riverton, much to the wonderment and delight of the youngsters.