THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3425, 12 February 1874, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Riverton,—A very severe earthquake shock, or rather succession of earth shakes, was felt in Riverton last Sunday evening. It commenced at twenty minutes to seven, and was preceded by a loud rumbling noise. It lasted for about thirty seconds, and its direction was from S. W. to IS. hi. The first shpek was exceedingly violent, and the others may be described as a series of vibra-tions.-—Harvesting operations will be general in ihe Western District in the early part of next week. The wages offered are L2 10s per week and found ; but it is probable, taking into consideration the scarcity of hands, that higher rates will prevail.— ‘ Star.’ 1 Invercargill. ■— A couple of foot matches were run on the Bluff road on Saturday forenoon. The first was between Enter and • rake, for LlOasitie; distance, 100 yards, Butler getting eight yards of a start i rake won easily. The second was for L 25 a-side, the competitors being brake and O’Brien. Distance, 150 yards level running. O’Brien was the winner.—Captain Elks, Collector of Customs, has obtained leave of absence, in order to pay a visit to the home country.— 4 Times. ’ Waikouaiti.—Up to Tuesday forenoon wo had magnificent weather during the past week. On Friday and Saturday the heat was oppressive,jjand the thermometer stood at 96 in the shade. The result of the brilliant weather is that gr dn has been ripened too rapidly, and the settlers may be said to be in the thick of their harvest. There is consequently plenty of employment for those willing and such a thing as a lazy man is not to be seen. It would be premature, perhaps, to hazard an opinion as to the probable yield of the wheat and oat crop throughout the district; but. judging from what we have seen, we should say that, with the exception of those localities instanced in a previous issue, it will come up to the usual average, As last year, the grub and caterpillar abound, apd the grasshoppers were never so numerous as they have been this year. What with one thing and ano: her the crops have not had a fair chance, and have received considerable injury in both straw and yield.—A lire broke out in the stable connected with the promises occupied by Mr A. H. Gill, one of the proprietors of this journal, on Tuesday afternoon about 3 o’clock. A strong wind was blowing at the tim*, which fanned the fire It was fortunate that the flames were carried from the dwelling-house instead of towards it, as the result might have been much more serious. The loss is estimated at about LSO. Herald.’