WHAKAMARAMA NOTES

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 10358, 22 April 1930, Page 3

WHAKAMARAMA NOTES

(From our Correspondent J The long spell of dry weather, broken by a few showery days, has enabled settlers to do a good deal of burning off and general cleaning up work. The results will be an increased area in grass and what is mom to the point, an increased milk yield. Most of the settlers have installed milking plants and it is stated that two more machines are to go in in readiness for next season. It is only by increased production that the position created by low er price-, for butter-fat can be met and settlers here are evidently out to meet it. Although fairly wet in the early and mid-summer the seasou has been a good one —plenty of feed and little or no stock . trouble. Dairy herds are looking very well indeed. Increased quantities of fertilizers of various kinds are coming in.

The near approach of winter was heralded by a light frost recently--too light to do any damage—but the (ang in the air was unmistakable. The upper portion of the Whakamaiarna Road is very bumpy and it is not expected that motorists will have a pleasant or east - task negotiating it this winter. However, it is confidently expected that this will be the last winter of mud and slush.

and that mjxt winter Will see a intended road right to the Mill. It is staled that quite a number of doer stalkers have been working the big stretch of fern country between the Lower Kaimai Road and (he Mincfcn Stream, but with what success it is not known. Prospects for the coming shooting season arc not too bright as there does not seem to be many pheasants about. Stoats and weasels appear to be on the increase and are very dangerous. One settler lost z 8 out of zq ducklings. These were closed up at night and only allowed out for a. few hours in the day time. Still, they went, and no doubt many a young pheasant goes the same way. The annual householders meeting was held in the school-room on Monday evening. Of the retiring committee Messrs E. G. Sharplin and J. Sharptin were re-elected. The other retiring members, Messrs A. Davies, F. Lcyland and G. Oder - did not seek re-election and Messrs Alf Sharplin, J. Humphries, and R. L. Thomas were elected to the vacancies. There was little interest showh, the attendance being small. Through the efforts of Mr H. H. Sharplin the district has a beautiful piece of native bush set aside for all time. This bush is to be known as the Pukatoki Scenic Park, it is well watered, contains some fine trees and ferns and will, with a good 'road to it, become a very popular picnicking ground. An increasing number of people arc turning to the bush for a summer rest and holiday and there is no doubt that the Pukatoki Park will draw its share.

in the still morning air the mill siren is again heard far and wide while near at hand the buzz of the saws testifies to the new mill’s activities, still another of Mr Sharplin’s accomplishments and one that many may well be thankful for.