COUNTRY NEWS.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2022, 28 October 1869, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS.

The weather in the Lakes district has been excessively cold and windy lately, which has had a very injurious effect upon growing crops. The wheat looks well, but rain is wanted badly to produce a more rapid growth. Oats arc very scarce, and are selling retail at 5s per bushel. Wheat has advanced 6d per bushel. There is only one buyer for this cereal at present, therefore the market price may be said to be an arbitrary one, the purchaser being able to dictate terms. From all quarters of the Dunstan district gratifying intelligence has been received of heavy rains in the low-lying countries, and of equally heavy falls of snow on the ranges, consequently the gloom that was beginning to settle on the countenances of all classes is dissipated. Good effects from the timely showers are markedly perceptible in the farms and gardens, where the crops look most promising. This seasonable aupp y will be the saving of the farmers and diggers, who are in high spirits. In our opinion there is now more snow on the ranges than there has been at any time during the past winter. —Dunstan Times.

Mr Campbell, of Otekaike, has recently imported from Melbourne, 400 rams and 100 ewes of the celebrated Learmonth breed. The ewes and 260 of the rams, have already arrived. They are a splendid stamp of sheep, and have been shorn and dipped in Oamaru previous to being sent to.the station. Mr Pilluel has received the appointment of clerk of the bench at Oamaru.

The Balclutha correspondent of the Tuapeka Times writes The farmers are nearly through with the spring work, and the quantity of grain sown in the Clutha district this season far exceeds what was sown in any former year. The high prices recently obtained for oats here, caused that article to almost vanish from our midst. Potatoes are plentiful and cheap, but no demand. The late rains have much improved the face of nature, and are settlers are sanguine of obtaining a rich reward next season.”

At a meeting of the Executive held this week (says the Tuapeka Times), it was agreed to proceed with the sale of the Island Block, Horseshoe Bend. This decision was not arrived at without considerable discussion, the chief argument used by its supporters being the impecuniosity of the Government. A month’s time is to be allowed to elapse before the block is to be put up for sale, thus affording an opportunity for objections to be lodged. Sergeant Bullen, being about to leave the Police Force, the people of Oamaru, where be has been stationed for some time, intend to present him with a testimonial.