WATAROA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 9 November 1949, Page 2

WATAROA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) When he spoke here on Wednesday evening of last week, Mr, J. B._Kent, M.F., was given a very fine hearing by quite a good attendance of residents of the district. After reviewing farming, local and national matters, in an address lasting for an hour and a half, he was accorded a hearty vote of confidence by the meeting as member for Westland. Mr. Kent, who has covered the South Westland area, went from here to speak at Harihari. Mr. W. White, the contractor for th e repairing of the Waitangi River stop bank, is making favourable progress with the work with improved weather. The widening of the main highway at the Waitangi is being pushed ahead very well indeed. About half a million yards of filling is to be shifted. Dairy farmers are having a good run, the recent soft warm rains having given the pastures a 'fillup that that suits the cows entirely.

In spite of talk further north, about the highways in the soutji, there has been a big improvement of late on the main highway. The Public Works Department has been overhauling the bridges, and it can be said that South Westland is being given a brighter environment as a residential region. Farmers herabouts are among those advantaged' by the trade in poles, pole block, and posts, which continue to be exported from the southern district, formed a steady intake at the railhead. These trees become wealth to the farmer when they are marketed, but otherwise are not meantime of value. The demand for this timber is strong in many parts of the Dominion. On November 24, a special sale of cattle which should interest buyers will be held here, the offerings including lines from Mahitahi (by Condon’s), and from several other districts. Cattle are in short supply but this sale should help out graziers as well as others. Recent business visitors have included Messrs Jas. Jeffries. Another visitor, Mr. Vroblefski (Renton and Coy.) was taken somewhat ill and on the advice of our resident medico, returned home to recuperate.