MANGAMINGI.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, 24 October 1916, Page 4

MANGAMINGI.

(From a Correspondent.) The weather has been very changeable lately. A good deal or rain lias iallen, and sometimes the atmosphere is warm and very muggy, and then , again extremely cold, Saturday was a f frightfully rough, day, a s bad as she middle of winter. Several small slips came down on the ridge during the early morning, and at night a large one came down. The roadmen were working at it all day on Sunday to get it cleared for traffic.. Some time back I drew attention to a large tree near the top^of the ridge. It needs felling badly, as it may come down at any time. A sniaill slip came down from almost under it, and that may be the prelude to a larger ->ne which would be sure to • bring the tree with it.

Both the Patea and the smaller bridge along the valley are now open tor traffic. The small one is a big improvement, and is greatly appreciated by those using the road. The old bridge at the Patea has been blown up by the county man, and the timber is being removed.

The grass here has come on exceptionally well, and stock is looking at its best. The cows are milking very well indeed, and should be soon at their best.

Most of the sheep farmers have pretty- /3 well finished thviir docking, and it will ■ not be long before some, of them commence shearing operations. The percentage of lambs seems to be well up to the usual average. A very heavy frost was experienced on Monday morning, and potatoes suffered a good deal; they seem to be t coining later than usual this year. ■ Sickness —a kind of inuenza in a had form—has beep very prevalent lately, hardly any fam^y escaping. It seemsto be passing over now, and most of the sufferers are better. The loss of Rifleman C. A. Duff (killed . in action in France) was very much, w felt in th.c Valley, he being an old and' highly esteemed resident. Much sympathy is felt for his mother, broth ereand sisters.