TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 1784, 30 January 1886, Page 13

TAPANUI.

•Januaiiy 27. — Up to Monday the weather was extremely hot, but on that day much-re-quired rain fell from an early hour. Since then the atmosphere has been less oppressive. Rain ih falling this morning, and the glass is low.

T\linin«. — There is little fresh to report in mining. Reid, Quinan, and Go's dredge is being put together with expedition. From tho=" v»-<-i sently i. willing I havp. not heard how tl doing; but others who are working in a b.u way say they are making more than bushnu i wage.-). That is good enough, for it meant in creased employment. I was informed by a person who, some years tigo worked the river-bed by wing-damming it, that himselt and mates could average. 12s per day at the work. This same person is now about to return to the Pomahaka.

Trek Planting. — A correspondent in the Times gives reply to my query in the matter of forest plantations, as to whose special duty it is to renew forests that, Government should undertake the work. " 'Twore well that it were done quickly," no matter by whom. I should like to see a discussion on the matter.

Railway Extension. — A deputation waited on Mr Joseph Clark, of Moa Flat Estate, last week asking him to use his influence in urging the construction of the line from Heriot to Roxburgh. Education Board. — 'For tho vacancies on the Otago Education Board the North Glenkenifh School Committee have nominated Messrs M'Kenzie and Farnie. The Dunrobin Commit! cc have given the pre* ference to Mr M'Kemie and the Rev. Mr Bannerman, Newspapers containing letters in reference to Mr Farnie's heterodoxy have been circulated amongst committeomon in various parts of the district, but fortunately for the nomination of the gentleman last named the marked poitions were not discovered until it was too late. What effect they will have in tho voting for the election remains to be seen. Rm umch-and-Bindkr TmAr. in Ryeukass. — A trial of the Howard renper-and-binder in ryegrass was made, on Brooksdale Estate on Wednesday last. The crop was light and stood on a sidling, but the machine did its work faithfully, giving thorough satisfaction to the interested

spectators. In Canterbury, where there have been a number of trials, the papers pronounce tho latest improved Howard the best in the market. Considerable interest attaches to these trials, for only by using the machine in which there is the most economy can the farmer now hope to keep pace with the times. What a revolution iit harvest work machinery has wrought during the past 10 years. Cropping Tkhms. — Mr Joseph Clark, of Moa Flat estate, has agreed to reduce the terms of cropping leases on his estate to one-fifth instead or one-fourth, as the landlord's share of the produce. About nine months ago I endeavoured to show that one-third was too much for the landlord to receive, considering the quality of the laud, the cost of production, and the value of produce. Yet in some parts landowners are receiving that proportion even now.

Swimming. — Saturday afternoon last saw mor«j people on the banks of the Pomahakatb.au were ever there before, at a time. They were attracted there by the promise of t.uch fun as aquatic contests would afford. With one exception all the qvenfs were contested for honour. There were swimming in various styles, and "divers" other events, in some of whic's the diving wayS quite unintentional. "Riding- the barrel" and "walking the greasy spar,"' or rather the attempts to do so, provoked much laughter amongst the onlookers. A very enjoyable time was spent, and the promoters deserve the best thanks of all who witnessed or participated in the sport. I observed Messrs Menzies and Quin amongst the workers. Another afternoon will shortly be set aside for a similar diversion, when, I understand, every competitor will have to be clothed in bathing costume.

Obituaky. — A very sad death occurred here on Sunday— that of Mrs W. J. M'Farlane— wife ot our local sawmlller. The melancholy event happened shortly after deceased had given birth to an infant. The news spread rapidly, and everybody in our small town was astonished by the suddenness of the death. Mrs M'Farlane was regarded with the utmost esteem and affection in this community for her kindliness 1 of heart. Great sympathy is expressed for Mr M'Farlane in his great loss. The funeral took pace yesterday, when there was a very large cortege of relatives and friends, and members of the Oddfellows' body turned out in regalia. All the mills and places of business were closed for the time. Mr Morrison, Presbyterian minister, conducted the obsequies.