COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 16, 20 January 1910, Page 6

COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE.

[OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

MAHARAHARA.

A committee meeting of the local Athletic Club was held in the schoolhouse on Tuesday evening, the president, Mr G. J. Goldfinch, presiding. Mr J. Murray presented the report of the sub-committee set up at the annual meeting to inspect tiie Papatawa domain with a view of holding the sports there. In the opinion of the sub-committee the Papatawa ground was in every way suitable, and that if the ground was disced and rolled well as good a running track could be secured as is obtainable on on the club's present ground. This Avork Mr Murray generously offered to do. The meeting decided to hold the sports at Papatawa if certain formalities were satisfactorily arranged. A discussion ensued as to the date of the coming sports meeting, which was originally fixed for March 17. After a full discussion it was decided to alt-er the date to Easter Monday, March 28, entries to close on March 15. The programme occupied the attention of the committee and a number of new items were added and the prize money in most cases Avas liberally increased. A large amount of routine business was transacted and the meeting adjourned. For many years past small seams of coal or lignite have been found all over this district and chieflv in the vicinity of the Valley. Where a slip occurred it was not difficult to pick U P a. fair quantity of this material, and in a few cases it was of a good burning kind. An analysis of this coal made some time ago gave all the necessary constituents of good coal with a higher percentage of water than is usual. It must be understood that any of this coal that has been procured has been taken from high levels, where there is not sufficient pressure to thoroughly exclude the Avater. Some two years ago Mr H. Pillans Avas fortunate enough to pick up a AA-ell-defined seam Avhich hs has prospected Avith a fair measure of success. But in accordance Avith expert opinion it Avas decided to obtain the services of a boring plant. A Dannevirke speculator has provided the necessary funds, Avhich is a big undertaking, as the plant is,worked with a complement of from fifteen to tAventy men. The plant arrived on the ground on Tuesday, and AA-ill be set up immediately. An option has been secured, alloAving the syndicate the right of prospecting over a large area. It is proposed to make a comprehensive series of tests over the whole country secured at various depths. The Avorking of the boring plant Avill be aAvaited A\-fth the keenest interest. Harvesting operations just iioav occupy the farmers' attention, a large quantity of oats being in stook all over the country and avill haA r e to stay out a little longer iioav as Ave haA r e had such a doAvnpour of rain. Many crops were safely stacked, but the bulk is yet to harvest. Haymaking is practically finished, heaA-y crops being the order of the day. The much-needed rain that has fallen this past tAvo or three days has cheered the dairy farmer aneAV, and the falling off of the milk tally Avill be stayed for a period. A supplier to the Maharahara West creamery Avill draAv about £IOO for his milk cheque for milk supplied during December.