SOUTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24221, 13 February 1940, Page 13

SOUTH OTAGO

BALCLUTHA River Trust Rating: At a special meeting of the Lower Clutha River Trust, held on Friday, a resolution was passed empowering the Balclutha Borough Council to levy the two trust rates (administrative and river protection) on the capital value. This was an outcome of an opinion from the borough solicitor that a resolution of the kind was necessary in view of the fact that the borough system of rating was on the unimproved value. Threshing Season District threshing mill plants are at present busy in threshing grass seed. Considerable chaff cutting is also being done on off days from threshing. So far little or no oats or wheat has been threshed in this district. Potato Blight A mild form of potato blight has appeared in many local gardens. The shaws of the plants wither and on .the tubers brown spots appear. If dug and used at once, the tubers will be all right, but they will not keep for any length of time. Fortunately the blight has so far manifested itself only in small patches, and the big potato farms on Inch Clutha are said to be unaffected. OWAKA The Weather The weather for the past three weeks has been continuously wet, with winds at gale force for a considerable portion of the time. So far as farmers are concerned in the surrounding district, they have not yet much cause for complaint. Most of the hay should have been in before the wet set in, and there is time yet for the weather to pick up for the oats to be harvested. Railway Excursion The railway excursion on Sunday to the Catlins District was well patronised. Most of the passengers went through to Maclennan and Tahakopa Beaches, only about 20 alighting at Owaka for Pounawea. The weather was comparatively fine on Sunday until late in the afternoon, when rain again commenced and continued practically all night. Picnic Gatherings \ The P. and T. Department picnic, which was to have been held at Pounawea on Sunday has been postponed. On Saturday a combined picnic, comprising the -Farmers’ Union, the W.D.F.U., and Women’s Institute, was held at Pounawea. An elaborate programme had been prepared, to include swimming, diving, boat races, and a baby show, but owing to the inclement weather all aquatic sports were cut out. EASTERN SOUTHLAND Sports Postponed For the third week In succession all competition cricket and tennis fixtures in Eastern Southland on Saturday had to be postponed because of inclement weather. Little rain was experienced on Saturday, but the grounds and courts were in such a condition as to make play impossible. The Eastern Southland ' bowling championships, which were to have been held on the Mataura green, also had to be postponed.