Population, Crops, and Stock,

Thus confirming the accuracy of the judgment of the original selectors in choosing the locality, as we have a goodly heritage and the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places.

The result of this unhappy dispute was disastrous to the newspaper, as the patronage and support of those in authority were withdrawn, and, after struggling manfully for some months, on the 21st December, 1850, with the issue of its ninety-first number, the Otago News ceased to exist, the last words of its editor being, "Last of its race, farewell." The motto which it bore, "There's pippins and cheese to come," was not realised.

The mantle of poetic genius had fallen on some of the earliest settlers, and no wonder; the surroundings of Nature were inspiring. Unfortunately, the names of the bards are not given; only initials appear, and with the following extracts from the News, this part of our narrative will close.