WAITEPEKA,

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 209, 12 July 1878, Page 5

WAITEPEKA.

[from our owk cokbespohtdent.]

The weather has been very unsettled and severe ever since harvest ; indeed the oldest settler in the district has never before experienced such untoward Aveather. . The rough weather has greatly retarded farm work. Harvest being so late, farmers had scarcely any time to get autumn crop sown. Ploughing is far behind for this season of the year ; the ground has been so wet that it was almost impossible to plough stubble. The weather seems to be taking up now though ; we hope it may continue to improve. Threshing is almost finished in the dis-, trict, with the exception of a few out- . lying settlers, who have almost always to wait to the end of the season. Oats are the principal crop in the district, though a good breadth of wheat is raised. The I crops, on the whole, turned out- better than was expected at one time. Farmers have no cause to grumble this year, for the price they are getting for their oats must pay them handsomely for their hard toil. Messrs Somerville, as usual, will sow a large extent of ground with wheat and oats. Mr Geggie, who some time ago bought Mr Taylor's farm in its natural state, has, flwith indomitable energy and perseverance, brought the greater part of it under cultivation. He will sow over a hundred acres in crop this season. We are glad to learn that Mr Geggie and his good lady, _ who have lately been severely indisposed, are now convalescent, under the superior skill of Dr Manning. Two of our oldest arid most respected settlers have lately left; the district, viz., Messrs Marshall and -\ Harray. They, will be riruch missed, for they both took an active, part in the furtherance of the weV fare of the district. Mr Dalgliesh -has, just^ erected a^ hand-.

some and commodious residence. The style and finish of the building does ample credit to the architect; Messrs Somerville are extending their already extensive storeage premises, which is a direct proof of the increasing development of the resources of the district.

Pheasants are rather scarce this season owing to the wholesale destruction of them last year. The settlers in the district have determined not to allow any person to shoot game upon their properties until the birds have increased considerably.