COUNTRY NEWS.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2009, 13 October 1869, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS.

The Tokemairiro district heartily joins in the cry for rain, -which is now so gene?*! throughout the Colony. The long-continued drought is beginning te tell with prejudicial effects upon the young crops, ana should it be of much longer duration our farm era are likely to suffer. There is, however, every indication of an immediate change of weather, and in a few days the crops will in all likelihood be sufficiently refreshed. A Clntha reader draws our [Bruce Herald) attention to the inaccuracy of tho agricultural statistics recently compiled at so great expense by the Provincial Government. According to them, tho Clntha district this season should have raised 1800 tons of potatoes, whereas 700 tons is near r the mark. Such inaccuracies are calculated to mislead, and render the information furnished worse than useless.

Mr John Cargill, has intimated that it is his intention to address his con* stituents at Milton at an early date. It is perhaps premature to make the sog* gestion, but as more trout ova are being hatched in Dunedin, and as we have a veiy superior pond capable of containing a large number of fish, would it not be advisable to try and secure another consignment, so soon as they are ready for removal. There is no reason to suppose but that tho fish formerly placed in the pond are quite safe, but it must bo remembered the pond was then quite new and the water for sometime perhaps some* what clayey, so that another lot would have a better chance of securing the success of the experiment. —Bruce Herald. Tho Milton Town Council has taken the initiatory steps towards establishing a Fire Brigade, and a committee has been appointed for the purpose of purchasing an engine and necessary gear. According to the Bruce Herald, as the provisions of the Hundreds Regulations Bill become fully understood, the conviction that it is calculated seriously to impede the settlement of the Province is becoming more and more deeprooted and universal. The Taieri correspondent of the Bruce Herald writes as follows :—lt is a wellknown fact that tho liberality of a community does not sap the well-springs of benevolence, but, on the contrary, its effect is to increase its power and force. The amount required for our new East Taieri church was raised in a few weeks, and last week two ladies connected with the Scrogg’s Creek place of worship, in connection with the same church, and where our worthy pastor has for years past preached every Sabbath afternoon, desirirous of assnring the Rev, Mr Will of the appreciation of his hearers of his valued and earnest laborr, speedily raised gome LSO among the surrounding farmers and farm laborers, which I understand was presented to the reverend gentleman on Monday last. A species of black caterpillar is doing an immense amount of mischief in the neighborhood of Totara. On that station alone they are said to have entirely destroyed upwards of 50 acres of grass. They are wonderfully ravenous, and devour every green thing before then*Tho first velocipede rage ever run in this Province took place at on Saturday last. The course was a measured mile, and the vehicles, the velocipede whi.-h won the first prise at the Melbourne race, and which was recently imported by Mr Ogilvie of this town, and one of local manufacture, from the works ( f Messrs Reid and Gray. The Melbourne vehicle was ridden by Mr John Haggie, of the Commercial Hotel, and the Oamarn one by Mr Thomas Woenton, a young man in the employ of tho makers. The mile was accomplished by Woonton, the winner, wh« did POt seejn in any way exhausted, in seven minute?- Roth W ol * rode or drove well, having their iron stood* perfectly under control*