VICTORIA VALLEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9126, 7 August 1888, Page 6

VICTORIA VALLEY.

I am happy to inform you that things are looking up in this district. The weather is simply beautiful, and the farmers are making rapid progress. Ploughing and preparing for spring crops is the order of the day. Wheat and oats are to be extensively grown this season, and by the amount of preparation now being made, this district is likely to wake up from its long sleep of apathy. .Mr. T. \V. P. Smith, of Kaitai, has ordered a reaper and binder, also a threshing-machine and a grist-mill, so that the settlers will have no excuse for not making the land support them. The acreage of wheat this season will bi about 170. Mr. Smith is entitled to the last ing gratitude of the people of the district to the manly way in which he is at*lns; in sup plying the means of making our own \\mr. The Mutual Improvement Class held then monthly meeting on the 11th inst. The pro gramme was a lengthy one, consisting of essays and readings. Mr. W. F. Thompson gave a reading from W. M. Thackerav, on Snobs." Mr. R. Switzer gave an essay on " Bush Farming," which was rendered in very good stvle, and Mr. H. H. Thompson's essay on "The Culture of Maize " showed how that crop can be made to pay. Mr. A. Panther gave an essav on " Orangeism : its Utter Uselessness and Folly," which is to be the subject of debate at the next meeting. Mr. W. F. Thompson produced two essays, one entitled "Truth and Falsehood: A Contrast;" the other entitled "Glory: What Is It? How Gained, and How Kept.' 1 Mr. J. G. Bollard gave a humorous reading and a comic song. A dialogue from Shakspere's " Henry 1V.," by Mr. \V. F. Thompson and Mr. J. G. Bollard, concluded the evening's entertainment. The National Anthem was sung by the audience. —[Own Correspondent-,]