NEVIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 39

NEVIS.

February 5. — We help among the mountains are experiencing irost of +he vagaries of this abnormal season, from extreme heai to extreme cold, with unusually high winds, but not our usual rain after heat. Indeed, our terraces anJ flats are beginning to «sstime almost an Australian summer tint, and unless the long-wished^ for rain puts in an appears tec scon, most of the sluicing wi'l have to be suspended. Even now most of our hydraulic claims are on half supply.

Races. — Our usually quiet little valley was to-day the scene of uuusua 1 activity, our annual horse races being held. There aie the usual assemblage of horsey men, bookies, competitor for the races, and speculators for a prize on the tote. Most of the wins went to outsiders. Mr John Durin, of football fame, carried off three of the events, but whether as owner or trainer this deponent knoweth not. Only one event fell to gui locftl «poit3. The ind.igjDensable ball

will follow for the delectation of the fair maidens and lovers of the mazy waltz.

Mining. — Report h-ath it that Crewe No. 2 dredge at Upper Nevis is on excellent gold, and put up a record for the last three weeks. I think there is truth in the report. The Old Ngapara. No. 2 dredge is still hung up. The owners do not teem to be in any hurry to resume operations. Ngapara No. 3 dredge is in very deep ground just now. and it takes all her work to bottom. Consequently hen: returns are not great, as she can get over the ground but slow.y. Ciops — Most of the oat crop is both short ?nd thin this year, but nere and there a liioe- patch of clover has already been cut and stacked. Tlia Nevis soil seems to be very suitable for *he giowth of the red variety. Angling. — Our local anglers have had but l.oor sport th's> season. What with the fouling of the streirna with s'uicing and dredging, and the lestruction caused by shags :;nd gulls, it is «i rare thing to get a bite at all. There are hosts of gulls constantly about, and -.hough the shags are net so numerous, no doubt in our shallow streams they account for the large decrease in the number of our trout.