NOTES FROM THE BUSH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1791, 28 November 1887, Page 2

NOTES FROM THE BUSH.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) . A culvert on the Skeet road, near Te Boti, has for some time been a source of danger to horsemen and others, and was the couse of some complaining among the 6ettlers ; but when the foreman oi works for the Hawera Koad Board had his attention called to it, it was at once repaired. Had it been in the Waimate road district, I'm afraid -the result would not have been so satisfactory, as they always appear to be just spending their last sixpence.

The Waterbury watch ia finding favor among bushmen. Moßt of them have good watches, but it is found tbat the dampness consequent on camp life is injurious, as well aa the risk from accident ; hence many carry the cheaper article. Another advantage is that during this showery weather a man often has ten or fifteen minutes to spare, and he can then amuse himself by winding his horologue, for all who are acquainted with this article will remember tbat it requires an extraordinary amount of twisting. Mr H. Evors is felling his bush on the Hastings Eoad, which will give that part a more open appearance. This part of the road has always been in a bad state in winter, no doubt the bush standing near it and shading the afternoon sun has helped to keep it damp. This has now been felled, and it is to be toped next i winter we shall see an improvement. Running on a farm at Kaupokonui is to be seen a steer suffering from some loathsome disease, which I am told is cancer. If this is correct it is to b» hoped the owner will at once have the beast destroyed. We had a slight frost on the morning of Sunday, the 20th, which damaged the potatoes in some parts, and completely cut back the pumpkins, by which the Taranaki people will no doubt Buffer ; maize has also suffered severely, and iv some cases has been completely destroyed. Bush settlers will hail with satisfaction any legislation with reference to hush fires. In Mr Marchant's bill I think he errs slightly in fixing January 20tb as a date on which fires may be started. Cocksfoot saving commences on about the 15th of the month, so that by the 20th seed saving would be in full swing, whilst) February would be quite early enough to start burning. November 25th.