BLACKS DISTRICT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 918, 21 November 1879, Page 3

BLACKS DISTRICT.

For farming operations the weather is everything that can be desired, and the crops are in nearly every instance looking liist-rate. 1 atn informed that this is specially the case in Ida Valley where there is a large stretch of country under cultivation. The wheat crops, (Autumn sown) nothing can excel them, consequently the farmers are in high glee, and look this season to make up for the defleiencos of former years ; the oilly thing to he regretted is that nothing like the quantity of wheat has been sowh as the deniarid would have warranted. Uf barley, also, there has been but a small area sown, and con sidering; also, the good local market for this grain—the brewers alone taking no inconsiderable quantity—it is a source of wonderment to many that farmers are so blind to their own interests, and neglect those B'aples of every day consumption for the everlasting oat.' Whether it is that the amount of labor to produce wheat and barley is so ranch greater than toj produce oats, nr what else is the cause I cannot say, but it is a fact, and at- that a deplorable one, and I suppose until the oat growers see, and perhaps then it will be too late, that their wheat growing neighbors have outstripped them in the race that they will then alter their system. I am informed that the late action of the runholders in this neighbarhoud iri prohibiting the running of c -ttle on their country will materially affect the farmeis, inasmuch as it will compel th“in to keep their cattle within the boundaries of their own fences Now, I do not know but in the end tlii will prove the best thing that could havi happened and be a blessing rather than a curse. It will have the effect of weeding out all the wretched mongrels that now pester the earth, and induce the breeding of better sorts, and further than that, when a man has his cows immediately under his eye, he will then think of making use of them—dairies will be the rule instead of the exception, and instead of batter, cheese and good wholesome home-cured bacons and hams being as difficult to obtain as an overdraft from a Bank, ami then when obtained, at famine prices, they all will be plentiful, ami to be purchased at such a price that all classes alike can indulge in them Note the prices that these articles now command, and let the farmers themselves say if lam not right. Butter from Is 6d to 2s per pound, cheese from Is to Is 3d, and bacon and ham from la to Is 6d. In noting these prices I would mean to say when the articles are to be obtained, and it is not always the case, as evidence the fact that it was only the other day 1 was told that the butter that was being consumed in one of the Ida Valley oat-grow-ing establishments was imported a distance of nearly 20 miles, and at the same time this far-seeing energetic yeoman has a small herd of cattle of his own.

There is some difference of opinion about here as to the powers conferred by the homestead clause of the Mines Act. It is averred by some that it is only those whose homes are within the boundaries of a block that is surveyed and proclaimed as being open to he taken up either under the agricultural leases or deferred payment systems, while others again contend that any person who was in possession of a holding at the time of the coming into operation of the Mines Act—that is, on the Ist January, 1878—can take advantage of the Act, let his holding he within or without any proclaimed block. To me the reading of the clause is as simple as possible, and with the latter 1 agree. I would like, Mr Editor, to have your opinion —[We will give onr opinion in another column.— Ed. D. T ] I am very sorry to have to chronicle the fact that the water is running very short, and that without a good fall of rain the whole of the claims at Tinkers and Drybread will have to knock off work. The season is an exceptionally dry one, which may be imagined when it is taken into consideration that some of the claims have not yet been running three months. Should this he the case the consequences will be widely felt, as the compulsory idleness, whether the term be short or long, of a large number of men is virtually a burning of the candle at both ends, and every one knows that this sortof thing will never do. But strange world of contradictions, whilst the miners are crying out for much rain, the farmer says, “For goodness’ sake do not give us too much, a little will do ” ; while again the squatter, who is now busy shearing, says “None, or you will ruin me ”

Passing by the Spottis flour mill last week 1 heard the burr of the stones, but not having time 1 did not look in. From what I hear, Mr Jones is kept pretty well employed, anil further that the quality of the flour he is turning out is as good as can be desired. It is very plain to me that what at the time the mill was started was thought to bo a very questionable speculation, is now an out and out good one, and that in a very short time Mr Jones will have to increase his grinding power or erect another mill. There is some rumour of Mr Wm Greenbank resigning his position as Councillor for Matakanui Kuliflg in the Vincent County Council. I suppose if there is any truth in it he Will give some intimation of his intentions at the meeting of the Council on Wednesday next. There will doubtless be several aspirants to the honour, but my selection however would be Mr Jones, and in him I think all classes alike would have a good honest representative. I perhaps am before my time in even mentioning this rumour, as there is no certainty about Mr Greenbank retiring, and Still less of the other gentleman, in the event of a vacancy, coming forward.