THE SEASON.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 488, 2 August 1890, Page 2

THE SEASON.

The lambing season has now fairly commenced. The prospect up to yesterday looked very gloomy indeed, and it was feared that there would-be a large falling off in the average percentages, which would mean a big loss to the district. The winter has been tantalisingly mild< the warm moisture caused by the drizzling rains would have produced the most bountiful growth, but it was too lasting to be beneficial, and the continuous dampness has caused the ground to become so saturated as to rot the vegetation. There has, too, been an almost entire absence of frosty weather, and as frost is a great preventative against the pests or insect life, agricultural land will probably suffer for it, unless there are a few good nights’ frost before spring fairly sets in. As to the lambing season, the weather now promises to be genial, and high anticipations are made in regard to the results. Last year’s percentages were exceedingly sat’sfactory, and though recent experience has made people chary about offering an opinion on the weather, there are at least very good grounds to found our hopes upon. Another successful season will work wonders in this district. The glittering oil bubbles have burst, and nothing more is likely to be done in that direction until there are both capital and business-like aptitude to continue the prospecting. It is important to know this, because these oil bubbles have done so much to disturb trade, and to keep lingering on in hope people who were better away from the place, so that a resumption of steady progress will be hailed with delight. A good season for pastoral and agricultural pursuits will soon put the settlers of the district in a position to laugh at their harbor troubles.