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Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 83, 2 October 1878, Page 2

The month of September, our first month of spring, is now passed, and with the exception of the gales of last week, our most sanguine hope of a favourable opening of spring could not have be<n better realised. A good rain fell during the first week, and was succeeded by mild weather, with occasional showers, until Wednesday last, when it was rudely broken by the heavy uorth-west gales, which have swept with such unusual violence, more especially over North Canterbury. The result of the fine weather has been to induce a vigorous growth of the young crops. The wheat in all parts of the district is now well above ground, and the early sown has been fit for rolling for some time, but on heavy and wet lands the showery weather has rendered it unsuitable for the operation. The bulk of the oat crop is also showing green, and looks strong and healthy. With the exception of a few late lots this crop is all sown under conditions that should almost ensure a successful result. The quantity of barley hitherto grown in this district has been very limited, whether the high price ruling for ic this season will cause it to be sown more extensively remains to be seen. It is certainly a rather more difficult crop to manage, and more uncertain as to results than others, but on the other hand it can be sown much later, and is by far the best crop to grass down with. The heavy winds have not done any damage worth speaking of to the crops in this district, and a fine refreshing shower fell on Saturday and Sunday last. The country in all directions presents an appearance highly gratifying at the present time. The month has been very favourable for the lambing, and grass is now plentiful enough to bring them on well. Taken altogether, the agricultural prospects of South Canterbury are just now unusually promising.

We have been requested to notify the fact that the police have been appointed to collect the dog tax in this district. Several of the business firms of Timaru have determined to close their offices on Saturdays at 1 p.m. An advertisement in another column gives the names of these firms We direct the attention of our readers to the notice to prevent a rjossible disappointment We beg to remind our readers that the Winchester Fair will be heid to-day. Messrs D. and D. Maclean and Jonas and Co. attend to conduct sales. The amount of money taken at the gates during the late Geraldine race meeting" exceeded by a few pounds the amount taken last year. The first day's receipts were considerably below the half of that amount, but the second more than made up for this. The result of the match between Eva and Cairn Gorm run after the Consolation, is not considered to show the real respective merits of the two horses. Cairn Gorm was not in good fettle, and he had raced for tiie County Plate, while Eva was in good form, and certainly did not fatigue herself in that race. At the Stud Horse Parade held at Christchurch on Saturday, the finest lot of animals ever exhibited at one time in New Zealand were shown. There were 8i exhibits. At the sale subsequently the highest prices realised were : —Time o' Day, draught stallion, 250 guineas ; Young Melbourne, 250 guineas ; Glengarry, 300 guineas ; Dainty Davy, 150 guineas ; Old Time, 250 guineas.

At Talker's sale at Geraldine on Mondny there was not a large attendance, but fair prices were realised for the stock and other chattels sold.