UPPER, TAIERI.

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

UPPER, TAIERI.

August 14. — So far this month has been more stormy than July. Last -week we had two days of snow and sleet, but since then there has been a considerable improvement, and now there art hard frosts every morning, and the last few dayi have been quitoi cummer-like in the middle of the day. Tho winter so far ha© been very mild, *nd there is every indication here of an early spring, and the sooner it comes the tetter. Pastoral. — Most of the ploughing is done. on the- Flat, and everything Js ready for spring. ■There are a few lambs v here already, an<] they are taking no harm. Mr Stuarfc Blakely sowed * few acres of whea/") last year, and was so pleased with the result that he is sowing a considerably larger area this coming season. ' This is a grand flat for growing turnips, and the settlers find the benefit of having plenty of themas wintei feed, and their stock, both cattle and sheep, are in good condition, without exception. The Airship.— The extraordinary lights eeen in other parts of Otago and- Southland have been seen from here by a greaf many people. _ The light— and a very, bright one it is, too-^-appears occasionally at night in the far distance over the Ser". trsntine Range, and moves about in a very curious manner. Whether it is actually an airship or baJloon of some sort, or one of the planets, is a moot point, but it is difficult to believe- that anyone could be. experimenting with some form of an aerial machine without the actual facts leaking out long ere this. Sport.— On Saturday, August 7, a football match -was pJayed on Mi Tannahill's paddock at the Styx, between the Ginimerburn Club and th* local players, and resulted in a victory far the former club, the eooring being 5 points to nil. The ganw was played in the friendliest manner Mi Tom Gibbon, of Pafcearoa, made an excellent referee, and the game seamed to be thoroughly enjoyed not only by t-he players themselves, but by certainly the larcresl crowd of visitor? who have gathered af one time at the Styx foi many years. In' the evening a dance wa held in Mr TannaliiiJ's nxouhed. which he kindly lent for the occasion. The interior was tastefully decorated by the young ladies, and to the streine of music supplied by Mr and Miss Pierce and Mr Helm, a few pleasant hours were spent ir dancing and einging. Mrs Kennedy and her assistants at the hotel had a very busy time, but all who have had the .measure of visiting that popular House will believe me when I say that; everything was of the best, and c% - erybody, was pleased with their enjoyable outinjr to the Styx. The day . Wat none too good; in t<he morning, but as afternoon camo and then evening matters brightened up considerably, and the- weather was only & jecondary consideration. General. — In the course of a stroll up the banks of tfae Taieri River this last week I noticed the swans were all busy nesting, and there were eggs in a good many of the; nests. No doubt the Paradise- ducks, too, are busy building >v the rocks, but it in too early yet for grey ducks in thi^ locality. An odd trout or co rises now in( the river, and co let us hope c good spring! sviflil soon be with us. Poisoningr on- Linnburn Station is 'being very vigorously carried on,- and some of the settlers on the Jat are also engaged in that very irksom© ;hough necessary occupation