HINDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 39

HINDON.

August; 16.— Thr fine, open weather experienced in this district during the current momth has enabled the smal 1 farmers to make rapid progress with the ploughing of their pad<Joeks for cropping purposes during the ensuing season. Judg'iTig from what ha* passed under my notice, I should say that ■ the "acreage ploughed for cereal cropping this season is quite up to the standard of previous l years. I note that Mr Robert Smith, the new proprietor of Singer's Estate, is having- a large area, of his Land ploughed up for cultivation purposes. Stock. — The weather conditions for the stock grazing over the tussock country Has been, all that could be desired by the fleckowners at this season of the year, and the prospects at present of a heavy clip of wool being shorn from rha flocks are exceedingly bright. As very little snow has fallen during the past two months the- flecks have not had to suffer from a shortage of feed through large areas of theii grazing ground being covered over with frozen snow. I may here remark that I have never seen the stock in better condition at this season of the year tha<n they are at present, and judging by thepresent pastoral outlook I should say that the death rate this season will ba much below the standard of previous years. Mail Service. — I understand that strong representations will shortly be made to the Chief Postmaster with a view to having a tri-weekly mail service established to and from the district connecting with the railway siding mail service. The pre-^ sent bi-weekly service does not meet the requirements of the Hio<lon district. For instanct, if a letter is posted on a Wednesday, it remains in che box till the following Saturday before it is despatched with the outgoing mail to Dunedin. As matters stand afc present it takes a week tp receive a reply from Dunedin. a daily mail service tcf the railway siding, ! surely tba postal authorities should have no objection to granting a tri-weekly mail to the Hindon Post Office to accelerate the receipt and despatch of correspondence to and_ from the district. The time has arrived when an improved ma ; l service should bf established"^ in tho district. Reminiscences. — Matiuy years have rolled away since the following incident took place in the vicinity of Macraes in con- , nection with the bunny invasion which subsequently set in. A station manager in that locality (who shall be nameless) imported two cra-tes of rabbits from Tasmania for breeding purposes and liberated them a short distance from the homestead on& j fine morning and graciously gave the j station hands a holiday to witness this { interesting ceremony. A large number of the residents of Macraes were a-teo present I to witness the liberation of a number of pink-eyed, bunnies. A case of whisky was broached, and an abundano: of "efrcahments provided for the occasion. The bunnies were liberated amid the din of roaring cheers, and success was drunk to bunny many times over that day. Tlio manager delivered a speech to the, effect that any person found shooting them would be prosecuted. " Hear it, ye gcd«, and tremble. "' Draw down ihe curtain, |