WAIKOIKOI.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 118, 2 April 1896, Page 4

WAIKOIKOI.

The dry weather we have experienced during the last fow weeks has been taken advantage of to the full by the farmers j the crops throughout the district are practically all cut, and the bulk of them in stack. Oa the whole the crops are fair, but nothing to boast of. Some few lots have already been threshed, and, by what I can hear, the results have been disappointing as to the yield, but the sample is good. A few of the farmers are inclined to store their grain in the hope that prices will improve later on. If our so-callsd Liberal Government would lower lhe ; r railway charges to enable our farmers to get the : .r grain to the sea-board at a reasonable rate- there might be a show for a smll margin. They think they have given the farmers a great lift by reducipg the freight on a few paltry trucks of lime and guaao. What is tho use of getting these manures when we are so heavily handicapped in getting away the stuff we grow ? It is simply paying it back to tho Government, with all our hard labor given in. Turaip3 are by no means up to the usual standard. They have a stunted, unhealthy appearancp. Of course there are a few exceptions. Otherwise feed is fairly plßntifu l , and stock in good condition. I notice a letter in the Ensign of the 26th from "Fanner," advocating an auetiou sale of grain weekly in Gore, on similar lines to tbe Dunedin sales. No doubt it is an absurd thing for farmers to go about with three or four samples of oats in their pockot«, to all the different agents, to see who will give them the bsst price. That is practically what has been done for years, and the more cheek a farmor has the better pries he will get. Tho practise is an unsatisfactory onp, and I would recommend " Practical Farmer," backed t»p by the Farmers' Club, to take the matter up. Mr Chittock, sea., of Merino Downs, who met with a /serious accident last week, through a horse knocking him down in the stall, is slowly recovering, and it is to bo hoped the old gentleman will soon be about again. Mr and Mrs Gladstone Robinson have left on an extended tour to (he Old Country. Mr Adam Edgar, who is reputed to bo a most; capable and careful manager, is le c t in oharge of the estate. Mr J. H. Coombe, who had his house burned down on Christmas Day, is having a new and larger on a erected. Mr McAllister, of Tapanui, the architect and builder, is making a first-class job. The now residence will be the largest dwelling house in the township. The monthly meeting of the School Committee was held on Friday. Correspondence from the Education Board was dealt with — books to bo balanced and sent to the auditor of the Board. It wai agreed to get csal for the winter months. The Works Committee reported that Mr Cunningham bad effected all necessary repairs to residence and to school. Mr Gibson's tender for cleaning out outhouses, and Mrs Gibson's tender for cleaning soliosl for the current year, wore accepted. It was agreed to have accounts called in and paid at next meeting. The school is to be re-opened on Monday, tbe 30 ih in-,t. Mr Niool and Miss Broom have both returned from their holiduys. Marked enthusiasm is noticeable amongst our draughts players lately, over the Wanagnui tourney. Owing to tbe short notice Waikoikoi will aol be represented ; nevertheless the result will be watched with interest. I would suggest that we have a friendly match early in the winter — say, Gore and Waikoikoi to play Tapanu l and Crookston in the public hall at the \Koi. That would bring all our best players together, and other matches could bo arranged. I simply throw out the suggestion, and I trust some of my brither players will take the matter up. Draughts playing here is languishing simply for the want of opponents. Mr Charles Kemp, who had to go to the Dunodiu Hospital thiou-jb. an injury to one of his eyes, has relumed to M.r Robinson., the sight of his eyo being permanently lost. Miss Jes?io Bromner, who met with an acoident to one of her arms, is progressing favorably, and it is to ba hoped will soon be all rght again.