WAIKOUAITI ELECTORATE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13846, 8 March 1907, Page 2

WAIKOUAITI ELECTORATE.

VISITED BY MR. T. MACKENZIE. . M.H.R, The member for AVaikouniti returned to town last night after having visited Hampden, Port Moeraki, Waianakarua, Otcpopo, Maheno, Kakanui, and All Day Hay in the northern portion of his electorate. In a conversation with a representative ot this journal ho said that the drought had been most severely felt by milk-suppliers. The grain crops had not'suffered as much as was at. one time feared. Somo of tlio farmers told him i hat. they had in somo respects reaJly benefited by the drought, as-that had enabled thorn to kill acres of couch grass. Mr Mackenzie was greatly interested with what he saw at Mr Wm, Nieolson's farm at Hampden. Mr Nicolso'n lias erected a large cow house, whero 6omc 90 cows were all a.waiting or being milked. He had five milking machines going. What impressed a, visitor most was the cleanliness, quietness, and quickness of tlio whole business. The milking machine can do the work in half tho time the quickest human milker takes. A person follows the machine and strips the cows, getting very little milk. Two, or at most three, persons can do as much work as nino persons formerly did by tlio old process. The machines are costly, running into £30 each, and thero are other expenses as well. The cows take tho milking very quietly, chewing their cud tho while. Tho machines have been in use for 12 months, and Ml- Nicolson is well satisfied. The fishermen at Mosraki will have their new boat slip finished this week, and Mr Gillies, tho contractor, is making u substantial job of it. Tho slip is built of heavy ironbark and iron rails, and runs inland 145 ft. The trolly on which the boats are to bo placed ia worked by n strong windlass. This will be a great boon to tlio fishermen, as it will enable thorn to liandlo their boats so easily. The cost will' he about £175 to £200. Mr Mackenzie obtained a vote last session to do the work, and ho is very pleased to sco it now so nearly accomplished. Asked as lo what was occurring politically, Mr Mackenzie said. "Well, hardly anything." At every house ho visited they aro very indignant at tho district being wiped out, and aro asking if nothing can be done to restore the former electorate, and whether Mr Mackenzie will not stand for •Oamaru.in tho event of no change being possible. Tho member told I hem that 'this continued bursting up of electorates had readied a point beyond the public endurance. 'l'lio South Island )>ooplo should make a strong endeavour to keep tho seats as they were at last election, because if that bo not done the South Island will bo dreadfully handicapped after tho next redistribution by tho loss of members. He said ho purposed devoting his efforts to keeping things as they were. The House had 1 lie power to repeal the present act, and ho hoped it would do so. Mr Mackenzio received much kindness, and his visit was n most enjoyable one.