NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14909, 6 March 1914, Page 5

NEWS AND NOTES.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. • A ballot for sections in the Poroporo Settlement took place at Masterton yesterday. There were 15)7 applications for seventeen sections, all of which were disposed of. For second-class land there were only one or two applicants. The fine weather experienced at Ashburton of late was broken yesterday alter midday, when a south-west wind sprang up,* bringing with it heavy clouds. .Light showers commenced to fall about 2.30 p.m. and wero followed by heavy rain which continued during the remainder of the afternoon, with every appearance of continuing. The rain "will do much good, as the roads and pastures are feeling the effects of the continued dry spoil. With the exception of tho farms at the base of tho hills, harvest operations are practically over in tho country. After a fairly long spell of splendid harvest weather rain commenced to fall at Methven at 3 p.m. yesterday, and at 4 ..m. heavy rain was falling and had every appearance of continuing. Farmers have made good headway with tho harvesting of their crops, const l _uently most of the cereals are either threshed or in stack. The grain threshed lately in the Methven district is in _ood condition, and millers who have handled samples of wheat have expressed their satisfaction with it, and are keen to purchase at full market rates. Unfortunately yields in this district have turned out considerably below ex*>ectations. On the other hand some »;ood yields are reported from Cairn brae, Lyndhurst, Springfield, Highbank, Marawhiti and Barrhill.