MARLBOROUGH NOTES.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13610, 20 December 1909, Page 2

MARLBOROUGH NOTES.

(FKOXI OUB OWN COBBBSPONDENT.) BLENHEIM, December 15. During the past week quite a lot of rain has fallen in various parts of the province, and everything is looking et its best. Harvesting has commenced in real earnest, particularly .in the Awatere and Flaxbourne districts. Farmers are finding that labour ie at a premium, and that it is just as difficult now to get men ss it was easy during the winter months. Most of the stations have finished their shearing, with the exception of the lambs, which will come on later. The land hunger in Merlborough, as elsewhere, continues, and every time that a piece of land is offered, either by public auction, or by means of the ballot box, men swarm into Blenheim from all parts of the- province with the object of trying their luck and of getting some lend upon which to build a home for their wives and; families. On Tuesday last the State Nursery at Seddon was submitted to public auction in sections varying from 3 acres up to 53 acres, end the competition which resulted was cecidedly keen; some of tho sections realising as much as £22 per acre. There was also a ballot conducted for some sections in the Mβhakipawa Survey District, and for one section, which is situated in the remotest part of the survey district. there were Sfty applicants. . Tho Marlborough Land Board, realising the necessity for opening up some of the land held in large areas adjacent to Blenheim passed a resolution urging the Minister for Lands to acquire the Leefield Estate under the Lands for Settlement Act, and pointing out that at present there is not sufficient available land to meet the demand. The lond < for which there were so many applications was thirdl-class land, and Tvas not situated' close to any of the centres. It is stated upon tvliat is oonsicered reliable authority, that the Government has already obtained a report on the suitability of the Leefield Estate for closer settlement j/urposes, but the nature of the report has not yet been ascertained. The recent rains have completely altered the outlook at Flaxbourne. Many crops which were showing the effect of the dry spell have improved wonderfully, and there is now every appearance of a satisfactory yield on most of the farms. There ere some reahy good crops of wheat and barley, anci although the caterpillar pest has again made its appearance in some paddocks, it is hoped that the grain will be ready for harvesting in time to avoid damage. Many of the rape crops which had failed to strike before the rain came are now coming on splendidly, and there is every eppeaiance of plenty of fattening fee<;. being ■ available. The grass on the hill country has also freshened up very quickly, and feed generally is plentiful. Lambs are in good condition earlier than usual. About 1000 store sheep have been taken south this week by a wellknown buyer and the price is understood to range about 9s per head.