METHVEN.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13871, 24 October 1910, Page 8

METHVEN.

The slight rainfall that took place in the Methven district last Sunday night has almost entirely disappeared, and the dreaded nor'-wceters have been blowing almost continuously all last week. Grass paddocks and crops of all kinds aro assuming a very -wilted and yellow appearance, and many farmers ill this district admit that present prospects point to an exceedingly poor harvest. This is a serious position, us many a man has recently acquired his property at a lugk figure, in the hopes that a. few good seasons, would leave, him in a sound financial position. The ■writer visited the country at the immediato base of the lulls a few days ago, that is to say a strip about two miles wide and .stretching from Alford Forest to Mount Hutt. This part of the district is looking •well, some very heavy nor , -west rains having fallen there lately. Mr James Poll, who owns about 600 acres of the original Blackford station, and situated quite close to the ranges, has some excellent feed on his property, some paddocks of new grass being quite six inches high, and this in spite of the fact that Mr Poff is heavily stocked with sheep. This country, which is excellent for growing oats, turnips and grass, never looked better than it docs at present, nnd shows up well in contrast with the dry and stunted appearance of the country some miles further down the plains.

Mr C. Hepburn, tho new manager for the creamery at Bladder's Corner, near Metbven, arrived from Ashburton or. Friday, and hones to have everything ready for receiving milk from euppliers on Monday, tho 24th inst. The machinery was given a trial , run on Saturday, and everything worked satisfactorily. The cream from this creamery will bo sent to Christchurch at present, ponding the completion of tho Central Factory at Ash burton. It

. _ '-fi-tomplatcd that the latter wors will be out of tho contractor's hands in a. couple of weeks' time.