RANGITATA NOTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2892, 9 November 1895, Page 3

RANGITATA NOTES.

“Is it always windy here ?” was the query with which a traveller greeted a bystander on the platform the other day, as the train pulled up. “ Oh, no; not al vays,” was the response, 11 but it has been blowing for the last three months.” And so it has. We can verily say that if we have hud our share of nothing else, we have had it of wind. But it does not blow without intermission, and occasionally we get a recompense by a glimpse of the sunny side of Nature. It was so one evening about a week ago. The nor’-west wind had been blowing all day, when it suddenly veered round to the south, and brought a welcome shower of rain. But the shower was soon over, and the sun, peeping late behind a cloud, smiled down upon a world, fresh, verdant, and glittering, and wholly lovely with spring’s unutterable loveliness. The birds poured forth their song of praise to the departing day, while from the moistened earth a fragrant perfume arose likeincense. Who, in looking on a scene like this, has not felt his heart swell with a joy like pain? Spring has come at last, but it seems to have lingered long beyond the mountains, doubtless deceived as to its time of coming by the snow that still lies thick upon the back ranges. Here, as elsewhere, the gentle showers have already produced their beneficial effects. Within the last week or two, the grass has made rapid growth, and young crops never gave better promise. Buoyed up with such cheerful prospects, the farmer is as genial a fellow as you could wish to meet, and it is pleasing to contemplate the happy smile that lights up his countenance as you discourse with him, contrasted with the dismal look he bore but one short month ago. Shearing is now becoming general all round the district. The reduced fares, combined with the attractions of the three successive shows at Timaru, Ashburton, and Christchurch, has greatly increased the passenger traffic during the last two weeks. It is quite au invigorating sight to see the crowded express, drawn by two engines, steam into the station, and behold an irate would-be passenger reprimand the guard because he has to stand on the platform of the carriage. Our little station has lately presented a very busy appearance, and this increase in the traffic is in itself an evidence of prosperity. A singular phenomenon presents itself at the mouth of the Rangitata river. The original mouth has recently been blocked up, and the river now continues its course southwards along the beach for a distance of about two miles. There is a strong current running, and the water is a little discolored, consequently anglers’ prospects for the present are not very cheerful.