OUR OHINEMURI LETTER.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3428, 17 December 1879, Page 3

OUR OHINEMURI LETTER.

(feom our own cobbespokdent.) Paeboa, December 15.

Misiwa.—There is not much poid being got in the district just now. Mining is languishing for want of capital to support it. 'Meiirs Moore end Morgan, who recently joined Chambers at the Mangakara Mill, hate thrown np their interest, finding it would not pay. While we regret this falling off in our goidfield, we are comforted by the fact that agricultural pursuits are tot,being lost sight of. This season (unlike the last) gires promise of a bountiful harrest; as, from the planting season until now, we hare had frequent showers, with some heavy rain. The oat crop sear Paeroa (120 acres in extent) ii> above the arerage yield; while, from the appearance of the potato crop, the Thames merchants. need not send South for any great quantity of tubers this season. I estimate at the lowest, and then two hundred tons can be shipped to your market this year: four owners alone hare forty acres (close to junction of the rivers) looking remarkably well. Cattle raising is being carried on I to a considerable extent beyond what our cultivated acreage will support. Messrs Phillips and Son drove from their farm a i mob of fifty head of fresh store cattle to the Cambridge market, as good prices | wer» ruling there. Mr Austin, of Bel. i mont, took to the Thames last week a draft of well-fatted bullocks —a credit to the district for their! breeding as well as their flesh>carrying qualities. Occasional visitors endorie the residents' opinion of our lands—that they are rich, fertile, and were watered. But the district cannot progress as ii shoald till the Government step in and settle the Native difficulty, adjust tho boundaries of disputed blocks of land, place owners or their agents in peaceable possession, smoothe oar constant oppositionist (Tukukino) over, so that roads, railways, and telegraphs may go through the length and breadth of the land, this done and public offices erected, our bread and watir is sure with perhaps a little butter to boot. A most interesting match took place on Saturday at the rifle range, a set of three prizes having been giren, first, a valuable young bull, .presented by Mr Austin; second, a handsome table lamp, Mr LittleJohn; third, pair of pictures and young pig added, Mr P. Cock. The above prizes were gnAn on the same, condition as Mr Kobson^prize: namely, to thoie only who had- not sought to alter the name of the company and lessen the Scottish Battalion. The day was rather windy, but those who took part in the match enjoyed themselves well. Yolun. teer Cock was the lucky winner of the first prize, the ball, with the score of 54 points} Volunteer Daniel Campbell, second prize, 63 points; Volunteer Moore, third prize, score of 52 points. This was close shooting, and exciting towards the finish—Campbell, a lad in Mr Eobson's employ, being level with the winner xmtil the last round, when an outer was made by him, which left him one behind. This young man is likely to make a good shot, having twice won prizes recently, and on Saturday made out of seven shots at the 500 yards, five consecutive bulls eves. An early day will will be fixed for the presentation of the prizes. The ministers of the various denominations will please take notice that the Ifgatibako shooting season is over, and they "*rill now b« quite cafe to visit the district, and will be warmly received by the residents. -