Tarras Notes.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXXV, Issue 1942, 19 June 1905, Page 5

Tarras Notes.

(From a Correspondent). June 12th. The weathei is wonderfully dry for this time of the year. When we look at the dry roads, and see the sun shining out so brightly, in the afternoon especially, it seems hard io realise that it is the middle of winter. The whole district experienced an unprecedently heavy frost for a couple of nights last week. The weeping willows did not shed their leaves at the usual time this year, and they seemed as if they would carry then into the spring, till these two nights came and perished them off at once. The bracken fern suffered somewhat severely with the frost. With the retirement of Mr McWhirter, the Lindis riding is now without a member, and the question naturally arises, will there be a byeelection 1 which would put the County to a lot of expense, should the election be contested, just for about two meetings till the general election, or will matters remain as they are till the triennial election t Big flocks of black shags are now often seen on the banks of the Clutha river, and no doubt they will eat at least 501bs of trout a day. They are so wild that it is exceedingly hard to get a shot at them. At oue time they were rather rare, and tame. The best plan to get rid of them would be with poisoned fish of some kind. Some cockabullies loaded with strychnine and then laid down at their resting places would make a big haul. There is money in it too, with 2s 6d on their heads. I notice that there is to be a big public meeting in Dunedin on Jane 15th, to thoroughly ventilate the com-* pletion of the Otago Central Railway, and also to discuss the subject of irrifor these things help each other along. It is necessary for the Government to take irrigation in band, and introduce fresh legislation, in sase of one big race being required for several farmers, and which would cost more money than they can afford. The race itself would be ample security for its cost. Three per cent interest would be ample. This would mean the creation of new wealth, and the Government would get over three per cent of the cost of the race through the customs. Remember, an irrigation water race lasts till the end of time, and, unlike a mining water race, produces more wealth per annum at the end of 50 years than at the be. ginning. Look at Egypt and India as triumphant examples of the success of irrigation. I hear that our district is to be well represented. Mr John Mcßae, af Tarras, while en route to San Francisco will be in attendance at the meeting to represent his district. Mr/ Richard Norman, from the Wanaka, has gone down to represent his district. Both are very enterprising, industrious men, who are well able to represent their districts and bring interesting and useful facts home to their Dunedin audience. Cromwell should have seot down one of her distinguished citizens to cor operate with them, for it is now quite plain to he seen that it is quite the proper , ihing to send forward the best men to represent the Ultima Thule ac what w ill be an histo.ric meeting; besides, lection day is at hand, and anything hat may be asked now will have a good show to be granted. There is another matter that wants ventilating. The stock ownerß in the Upper C.utha Valley are now quite ware that nearly all their surplus >ock must go to Dunedin, either for onsumption or freezing. Besides .bey remember the Yankee Senator's (atemeut that it is the mo&t profitable o send away the corn on the hoof, specially as the meat is at its present arv-tion price. With this end in iew the settlers and principal reaiients of Lauder have now on hand the urination of a company with a capital i £4OO to build yuids for the accoro* odatiou of stock for sale, somewhat on the plan of Burnside. These woul i cover several acres of ground. It would be necessary to have sufficient 'iifferent yards for the many different flocks of sheep and cattle. It would a'so be necessary to have a drafting race to separate a mixed flock of sheep in the different lots. It is hoped that the settlers in the Upper Clutha Valley will take at least 20 shares at £5 each, which will not be called up till the yards are finished, This is a crude outline, and doubtless it would be financially profitable, as the small charge for each sale would do it. The Stockbrokers Association are giving it strong support. Mr Roderick Poison, of Bendigo, is authorised to give uither details, and has written to most of the principal stockowners on the matter. [Mr W. T. Talboya has been appointed to represent Cromwell at the Dunedin meeting.—Ed, C.A.]