PUERUA.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1036, 8 June 1894, Page 6

PUERUA.

[from our own correspondent. I Farmers are now busy ploughing for next, season's crops ; some, indeed, have already finished. The fine weather a few weeks ago gsve them a good chance for a start so as to have as much as possible expesed to the winter weather. Tho ploughing is nearly a month in advance of last year. They have now learned by experience that the earlier the soil is turned over the better will be both the crop and the quality of the grain. Many have had their sheep on the turnips for the past month. The low prices now ruling offers no inducement for delay seeing there is but little prospect of an advance. It is as yet too early in the season to form an estimate of the extent that will be under crop next season, but all last season's stubble and turnip land will have to be cropped so as to get it under grass. A good extent of lea is also being being broken up for turnips next season. The returns for last season were very discouraging being mostly throughout the district about an average of 25 p«r cent below expectations. Up till within the past few weeks the district roads continued in first-class condition, but the late rains have made a bad job of~them. The road by Olamomomo is all but impassible, and is likely to contine so for a few months. This road is altogether too flat and will never be' right until 10 or 12 inches of clay is put on the centre. It is much to be regretted that the council is so short of funds for road purposes, while there is but little encouragement to apply for loans under tho Loans to Local Bodies Act. The Rom&hapa Temperance Hotel is again open for business, Mr James Shiels, junr., butcher, having entered into possession about three weeks ago, and I have no doubt travellers will nor find ample accommodation there at reasonable rates of charges. The rabbits are still with us although I do not think they are on the increase. Land owners are now all engaged laying poison when the weather is suitable, and the number of tho pest should be largely decreased. And now, Mr Editor, allow me to publicly thank those gentlemen in Balcluthn, Gleuomaru, Otamomomo, Puerua, and Romahapa, and especially Messrs P. M'Laren and R. S. Murray, treasurer, who have so kindly given their money and assistance to provide me with a comfortable place to lire in during my declining years. I would have thanked them all by name, but in looking over the subscription list I find names of some who are in the habit of doing their kind actions without letting the left hand know what their right hand doeth, and who I knowwould not wigh their kindness in this matter made public. I also recognise that there are many more who would willingly have contributed had they been waited on. To all such, as well aa the actual doners, I have to return my sincere thanks.