CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1175, 8 January 1880, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE.

Monday, January 5. The -weather seems hordly settled yet, but the settlers have taken advantage of the few fine days we have had lately and got in most of their hay. Much, however, has been damaged. The grain crops throughout this part of the district are looking well. The wheat seems to have escaped the rust. Mr Sharp reports that strawberries and cherries are much damaged by the rain, but that there is every prospect of a splendid yield of apples, pears, and plums. Peaches are every where nearly a failure, only trees in very sheltered situations bearing any fruit worth mentioning. The peach was the staple fruit of the colony until tho last few years, when the yield has become less and less. Apples, pears, and plums will become the principal fruit of the country. A visit to Mr -harp's orchard will prove what the district can produce in the way of splendid fruit of most varities. The trees are loaded with the most delicious and the finest fruit. The Farmer's Club have not expressed their intention yet of holding an horticultural show. They appear to be rather diffident about it, as it was impossible to carry it out last year owing to the unfavourable season. But there is cttery

prospect of this season being a good one for horticulturists, and many settlers have now splendid gardens, where they grow many rare and handsome flowers. Many are of opinion that a horticultural show this year would be a great success. I am sorry to say that Mr Garland's Emu is not doing so well. He rode him down to Hamilton last Monday and gave him a gallop on Tuesday, when he slightly strained a sinew, and ii ho is m no better tiim he will have to be scratched for the Ohaupo meeting. l he Cambridge Jockey Club are erecting a permanent landing stage on the river bank, within four minutes walk of the grand stand. This will be a great convenience to visitors coming to the races by steamer. A good road is being made, and there will be steps to go down to the wharf. The Odd Follows' ball on New Year's Eve was fairly attended, and dancing was kept up till after day light. Bro. Long acted as Master of Ceremonies, and Mr Lawrence supplied the refreshments and gave great satisfaction. The Knglish i hurch concert, hold at Cambridge on Thursday, was fairly attended. The programme consisted of anthems and glees, quartette, t ios, and solos, which were all very fairly rendered. On New Year's Day the shops were all shut, and the c were several picnics to different parts of the district. The only amusement in the township was a closely contested scratch cricket match. n the loth Cambridge will, no doubt, be crowded, the natives who will bo present in the township for the Land Court, and the proximity of the native meeting will, no doubt, swell the number of visitors to the races. — (Correspondent.) [Our correspondents letter only reached us in time for to-day's issue.]