DISTRICT NEWS.

Mataura Ensign, 30 November 1912, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS.

j mandeville. khom or it lin.v coiu:Krfio\iu.; t ; during this month there ho* I*., „ » decided improvement in the weatlir and tlio anxiety felt by farmer*'' i„ %• r i w '' l . :lll(] Profitless season ha* > u laige extent I icon removed. ,411 un. t l ,, ' s °i f T ' >,,s '»ave made slow pro►,i<ss iiiul late-sown crops have failed 10 SU)..| out 111 a satisfactory manner e cannot fail to notice in drh£ tlH ' ' ount, 'V tho large decreS 111 the area under cultivation as compared wall the last two year*. Ia consequence a much larger area will bo •sown in g,ass and turnips, and then the trouble will arise, where are the siock to b t . lound to eat it? There ,s i'<» doubt but that tho percentage of ) sIS far «hort of that of the lasl two years and this will have a narked ctket 011 our frozen meat and wool export trade.

1 have noticed SOlno n j< v fj^, () j ry „ grass which will lie cut for seed. Turnip and rape .sowing is going on apace . as <«>» Pa.red with the acreage tint was brought i, n der this form of cultivation during tlie past three seasons this year s area will be much greater. Potatoes have not as a rule been grown huo to any great extent, but tiiis vear the area planted is very much larger than usual, and but for the high pne* ot sec-d much more would l> < jt'mted I lie dairy farmers are do! || this season, plenty of gra&s and lug/. ,„h V s tor butter and choose being responsible. near some of them are going in for motor cars which are getting very plentiful about Mandeville. our local agent (Mr .Joseph Green) having disjjosed ot a large number during the last lew months. Land speculation has been going oti in this district lately. Messrs Burnett having sold out to a southern purcbaser, and Mr McKenzie has disposed of his property to a syndicate. Both gentlemen have been here onlv a short tune and hare sold at a considerable advance on the purchase* price a year ago. .. Hie county grader, with Mr Dudley in charge, is doing good work around hero at present. The roads last Wituer wero in a deplorable condition. Now ail is smooth again and motor cars are running about in all directions.

file monthly meeting of the Farmers' Union was held at "Willowbank" (the residence of Mr Hubert Miller) on Monday evening (November 25). iSevcral matters of interest to farnuik were discussed. It was decided to advocate payment for potato sacks and also wool packs. The following motion was catned: ''lhat the union levy l>e reduced to os per member," to induce more members, and especially young; men, to join the union. It was agreed to support any scheme that would force an outlet through private property of stagnant water and to request the County Council to assist in the undertaking. It was also agreed that all lambs should be dagged before sending them to the freezing works. Dissatisfaction wis freely expressed at the Railway liepaitment in giving so little time to unload •■rucks. It was decided to oppose 1J1" action of the new chairmau oi the Southland County Council in his endeavor to raise tho rates. At the clow ot the meeting Mr T. R. Carroll moved : V() t° 9' thanks to Mr and Mr." Miller for so liberally entertaining the members of the union.

CONICAL HILLS. FROM OUK OWN COMBEBPON'))KM A good area of oats has liccn town on >V settlem<*nt., which is looking very well, although kept back with tin- cold weather at the start of the season. J-veiybody is busy working his turnip ground, and next week sowing will be general. there are a few paddocks < t test-lie, which look fairly well, anil shoulA the price keep up it will l>o a boon if.t ilie first rent, which is due at New i oar.

! Jhe school will break up ior the thii&tniag holidays on Dckvmlmm' 19. Tin* institution is very small yet, but jud.. nig troin the amount of building gom on in the district there will be a chan.e "I/im school in the future, ivanoits have been very plent in! i owing to settlers not being able to g. rantnters in the winter time. The inspector has paid us a visit and eve. > i '>aie minute on the settlement is P«" v lll J ll - chasing or traoping I ninny. I he roads were very bad at the beginning of spring, but they have dried up of late. The Government gave a grant of £I3OO to make the roads on t,he settlement. Mr Keys, from Balclutha, mis teams at work andiis e»gaged in making new roads, and 11 get ting on very well considering t':<• we? \\ eaiiier experienced. The fort-man has nao grvat difficulty in getting lalior for putting in culverts, etc. I here is very little stock on tinsettlement thus year. Sheep have been too dear and only a few of the settlers nave been able to procure any. I hear that one of the settlers 1.-i----started sending cream to Dunedin. wnich marks the first start of tho dairying industry i n the district.