THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3177, 26 April 1873, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

WaikouAlTl.— The friends of acclimatisation will be glad to learn that the trout liberated in the Waikouaiti river some two or three years,ago have thrived remarkably, and propagated to such a degree that they are now to be recn miles away from the place where first liberated, disporting in the river. We do not remember in which branch of the river these fish were first set free, but we are informed that they have been seen in ponsiderable numbers in both forks, as Yfell ap lower dpwn the river. The fish have evidently become acclimatised, and feel themselves quite at home ; and if they increase at the present ratio, as we understand they have done, some excellent spurt may, in a few years, he looked for by the disciples of Izaak Walton.—A most atrocious and unjustifiable act was committed on Monday night last on the farm of Mr Jeffreys, Flag Swamp, which—whether intended as a practical joke or an offence of a more grave nature—is deserving of the severest punishment, and pity it is but that the perpetrators could bo brpught to justice. The Cherry Farm threshing machine was at wprk on Monday on the farm of Mr Jeffrey, apd during the night some person, either maliciously or otherwise, removed the coupling belt which connects the engine and the machine. Search was made in all directions f'T themissingbelt, but without success, when just as Mr Aitcbeson, Mr John Duncan’s manager, had decided to telegraph to Dunedin for another belt, the surreptitiously removed property was accidentally discovered, goncealed under the Flag Swamp bridge.— Crushing operations on the Dunback reefs are being greatly letardod, owing to the scarcity of water, the present season being one of the driest we have experienced for some years. The loss of time and inconvenience experienced by c’aimholders on these reefs are very considerable Notwithstanding this drawback, however, great faith is expressed in the future of the Bunback district by those who have been working there ; and if a copious supply of the great desk! t ratum —-water—cou Id Be procured, it is confidently predicted that most satisfactory results w'ou’d be obtained. All that is wanted is watef to carry on active operations. The Perseverance Company’s claim has already yielded very encouraging prospects, and the bhag Yalley Freehold Company’s block is pronounced to be a most valuable property, and an inexhaustible mine of wealth. Other claims in the Dunback are also spoken of in most encouraging terms, and the exercise of a little patience is all that is required to secure to the fortunate claimholders a gratifying and reproductive return for their enterprise and outlay.— Herald, _