TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 1951, 11 April 1889, Page 16

TAPANUI.

Lettert In order to bein time for thelzwne ■ofeeedißg 1J»«_ d»y en whicli they we written »uit re*oh Dnnedlu by TUESDAY NIGHT'S MAIL.

April B.—The past week has been all that could be desired by the farmers, and the harvest now nearß its end. The returns from the Crown Terrace will shortly be to hand, and it is expected that they will be quite up to the best known in this locality. Firb.—A quantity of wheat (256 bags) stacked in one pile upon Mr R. Pritchard's farm near the Arrow Junction was observed to be on fire this day week, about 8 o'clock p.m. With the assistance of plenty of help from neighbouring farmers and their men the flames were soon got under, when it was discovered that 146 bags were quite uninjured, 60 bags more or less damaged, and the remainder either totally consumed or worthless. There is not a particle of evidence as to how the wheat, which was uninsured, cautjht fire. Mr Pritchard estimates his loss at £100. • ibitcvry —Last week one of our leading farmers (Mr A. H. Douglas) met his death by seeking relief from iusoinaia by too frequent doses of a sleeping draught which had been prescribed for him in order to afford the rest which the patient greatly needed. Deceased until recently occupied a leading position amongst our farmers, and besides being enrolled as a Jll\ sened in several public capacities, being a county councillor for many years. His upright disposition and well-intentioned actions enlisted the respect and goodwill of all who came in contact with him. He leaves a widow and five young children, who, it is understood, are provided for. The Very large cortege, which followed the remains of the deceased to the Frankton cemetery showed the feelings that are entertained for his memory by the residents. Rev. D. Ross conducted the obsequies at the grave in a very impressive manner. Deceased was a brother of Dr Douglas, of the Wakatipu Hospital, with whom, and the widow and children of the deceased, go the sympathies of the whole district. Lakb County Coukcil.—The ordinary monthly meeting of the council was held thiß day week, but no business of any importance was transacted. ladeed it is difficult to divine the reason for the frequent meetings of the council, each of which, with all expenses added, must cost the ratepayers not far short of £30. In the matter of the charge preferred by one councillor against another of corrupt practices nothing further was done, the council quietly sitting down under the stigma. This is all the more surprising as it leaked out that while a bonafidt contractor was fined for not completing his contract in time, the alleged "dummy "was let off scot free, though he exceeded his allotted time by two months. Local self-government does not seem to develop very healthy action in the soil of Lake County. Monster Cabbage.—Mr S. K. Angelo, farmer at Arrow Flat, has produced a drumhead cabbage weighing 26Jlb. It is solid, and a splendid specimen of its kind.

April 6.—The weather during the first three weeks of March was most favourable for harvest operations, and a large portion of the crop was cut and stacked in the beat condition. There is scarcely the average amount of straw, but the quantity and quality of the grain will be exceedingly satisfnotory in most caßes, while the prices ruling are such as to impart fresh hope to the farmers. On the 2nd ult. the weather broke, and the finish of the harvest is likely to be rather unfavourable. Harvest work for days was at a standstill, and has been making but slow headway up to date. Some plots are even still to cut, and stacking is being done slowly, and in a rather unsatisfactory manner. The moist weather is making feed for stock more plentiful, the grass growing .satisfactorily. The turnips are doing well, and give every promise of being a good crop. Harvest work is at present engaging public attention, and other matters are occupying a secondary place with all. County Council.—The affairs of thin body are in a more satisfactory condition than they were a short time ago. After a vote of censure being passed on their conduct by the ratepayers, and wrangling among themselves over the appointment of a chairman, the members settled down to business, and official retrenchment and the reduction of members' expenses received attention at their hands. River Board.—The Waimatuku River Board appears to be a thing of the past. A few go-ahead spirits wish to go on at all hazards, but their numbers are decreasing day by day, and now the work will be gone on with by private enterprise, and those who expect to derive any benefit will have to bear the cost.

April B.—The weather during the past fortnight has been very favourable for harvesting and threshing operations, and good work has been done. The greater part of the crops is now secured in stacks, and in some parts of the district the mills are threshing away at a good rate. If the threshing can be got through while the fine weather lasts it will be a good thing indeed for the farmers, enabling them to get away their grain while the roards are in good order— a very important item in the year's operations. So far as I can ascertain the yields are fairly good, particular crops turning out very well both in samples and yield. The turnip crops, with few exceptions, I fear will scarcely be up to the usual high standard of our district. Potatoes, too, may safely be said on the whole not to be a great crop, but they are of good quality. General.—The Salvation Army has commenced operations here, and intends to continue its mission for some time.—Mr Breeze 1b enlarging both his house and his Btore, and the building when finished will add materially to the appearance of the township.—There is a good opening for a bootmaker here, as the population is steadily increasing.

April B.—The harvest is now almost completed" and had it not been for the unfavourable weather experienced during the past few weeks, a fortnight ago would have Been the most of the crops safe in the stack. It is becoming clearer to farmers every year that as early sowing a3 possible should be practised here. It not only has the effect of forwarding spring work, but it also allows the young crop to have formed a covering to the ground before the dry weather sets in—a desideratum of immense impor tance in this district, in which the soil is of a free and porous nature; and last, but not least, there are better prospects in the harvest time of getting the grain saved in good condition. The threshing mills are busy at work, and I suppose half of the grain in the district is in the bag by this time. Some very good yields are being obtained. I hear of some fields of oats having turned out close on 80 bushels to the acre, and I consider the average yield for the district should be between 55 and 60 bushels. Nabkow Escape.—Our quiet township was alarmed by the cry of fire laßt Monday evening, when it was discovered that the dairy factory had caught fire in the vicinity of the engine room, where it is supposed that the shingles had become ignited by a spark from the furnace. The fire was fast making headway, and it was only with the utmost diligence on the part of the factory bands, assisted by other willing helpers, that the. flames were arreited

In their progress and extinguished', a plentiful supply of water of course being at hand. It is extremely fortunate that the building was saved, as its ■ loss would no doubt be a considerable one to tha ■ company, besides being keenly felt by the milk-pro* ducers and the district at large.

APRii 9.—Nothing could be better than the ' harvest weather we have been enjoying here daring ' the past week. Stacks are being finished off all round the country, and will be all thatched and safe with another few days of fine weather. It is, howeverjlooking rather threatening to-day, and the glass , is falling. Prices will keep up, but the general opinion seems to be that if the farmer now sticks out for the " uttermost farthing" he will bitterly regret it in another fortnight or so. Infant Moktahtv*.—There have been several deaths of children In Gore lately from a form of ' complaint' presenting the symptoms of cholera. The mayor was amongst those who have had the misfortune to suffer the loss of a young ohild. Our New Bank Manaobb.—The acting manager, Mr Aldred, who has been here since Mr Ewen leit for Chrlstchurch, has just gone back to headquarters, and Mr V. A. Fyke has taken up his abode amongst U3. Mr Fyke has for several years been manager at South Bakaia. He is a son of the well-known > I Vincent Fyke, M.H.8., and very like him in appear- | anca. Footbaii..—This sport has now set in in earnest. The second "Wednesday half-holiday" was the occasion of an excellent game, aides being picked by Wallis and Sagger. Besulfc: two goals to Dagger. Ktxdbbspiel.—The " spielers, or players ia thii - entertainment, whick comes off to-night In aid of the Gore school, will all be children, and will be able no . 1 doubt to prove to the satisfaction of Mr Justice • Williams that by giving full value for the money of the public there can be such things as "honest I spielers." Mobh Asphalts.—The foptpath from the main • street to the Town Hall ib now being completed. Everyone gladly admits that this asphalting it very cheap at the price,'and has simply made the comfort and appearance of the town 50 per cent, better than it was a year ago. Wkslkyan.—ln obedience fco the " short-aervices " system which is the rule in this denomination, the Eev. J. Blight is now going to Tokomairiro and the Rev. Mr Taylor is coming here. Last Sunday Mr Blight preached bis farewell sermon to a crowded congregation. It so happened that the day was also the anniversary of the opening of the chapel, and allusion was made to that point. An Orangb Demonstration. — On Sabbath last the Rev. Andrew Mackay, the Presbyterian minister of Gore, delivered, according to previous advertisement, a sermon to Orangemen. About 3D members of the Order appeared for Divine worship in full , '• war paint," and marched to their allotted places. • The rare occurrence of this mild form of ritual in the kirk proved a great attraction, and the congregation was a very large one. The discourse, as might also be expected, was decidedly of the controversial order, and gave good hard knocks at a certain other form of Christianity across the way. Divine worship being thus concluded, the brethren adjourned to Knight's Hotel, where a good square . meal made them at peace with all the world. Everyone knowß, or ought to know, that there is no peacemaker so persuasive as a good dinner. One good old colonist here suggests that if the Orangemen and Ribbonmen would only hav9 a good feed together now and then-avoiding certain delicate subjects of conversation—Lhey would soon forget their past differences and as likely as not become good friends and all the better colonists.

Apbil 9.—The weather during the past week or two has been very favourable for the ingathering of the crops. If the weather keeps fine throughout this week the crops will be well secured and the I greater part threshed. The late rain has greatly benefited the green crops, so that there will be plenty of winter feed for stock. School.—Miss Livingstone commenced duties as temporary mistress on the 4th April. Her services ought to be an acquisition to the school. The committee held its usual monthly meeting on the 6th inst. Mr Henderson's resignation as head teacher was received with regret, and the committee passed a resolution expressive of then: perfect satisfaction with his services as teacher. Departure.—Mr D. Anderson, who formerly laboured in this district as missionary for a number of years and has latterly acted in a aimilar capacity ; at Brunnerton, has just taken a farewell leave of his many friends in this district previous to his departure for the Old Country. Mr Anderson means to make good use of his time during his stay at Home. He also intends visiting the Paris Exhibition, and if all goes well he intends visiting the Dunedin one too. Mi- nderson took his departure in the Arawa, which was to Bail laßt Wednesday.

April 3.—Sir R. Stout arrived here on Wednesday evening, and visited the Blue Spur Consolidated Company's works yestprday morning. The representatives of the different claims met here at the Commercial Hotel re the settlement due on the 4th. It is rumoured that Borne of them have granted an extension of time for the final payment, while others will have to consult the shareholders before finally deciding. Kcclksiastioal.—Mission services are being held in the Catholic Church by the Rev. Father Daly, assisted by the Rev. Father O'Leary, and are very well attended. The mission commenced on Tuesday evening, and will conclude on Sunday next (Passion. Sunday). The Wetherstonfs Commonage. — A pub.ic meeting was held on Monday evening at Wetherstones for the purpose of petitioning the Waute Lands Board againat leasing any portion of the commonage. The attendance was numerous, and Mr W. F. Sraythe was voted to the chair. The chairman in his opening remarks laid before the meeting the position they would all be in if they lost the commonage through its being leased. The following resolutions were unanimously carried :— (1) " This meeting strongly protests against the granting of any portion oi the mining reserve (or commonage), by lease or otherwise, except for mining purposes, as the granting of this land for any other purpose than mining would materially interfeie with the prosperity of this district." (2) "That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable to appoint a deputation to wait on the Land Board, and to strongly object to tl>e present applicants being grauted any portion a the mining reserve." (3) " That a committee be appolnte 1 to prepare a memorial with a view to get the whole of fche mining reßervein this district vested in a board of trustens for the benefit of the miners and settl -rs of the district, and the member for the district be requested to give effect to the same, the committee to consist of Messrs A. Donnelly, M. Whelan, S. Johnson, W. timythe, B. Fra*er. B. Hart, J. Sutherland, D. M'Cluskey, and M. Coxon." (4) " That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that the deputation wait on Mr J. 0. Brown, M H. 8., and aßk him to give alt the assistance in his power to further the object of thi6 meeting."

April B.—The weather for some time past has been what is generally called fine, but has not been favourable for harvest operations. The days have been fine and warm, followed, unfortunately, by foggy nights and mornings, so that leading-la has been retarded. Cbops.—ln consequence of showers and foggy mornings the crops have not been put into stack as speedily as could be desired. In one or two caseß I hear of some of the giain sprouting in stook, but I do not think there is much of this. We have everything here required for the production of good crops, only our climate is variable; and the farmers who clap on every team they can get when the crop is fit are the men whose crop is got in in good order, whilst those who trust altogether to Providence and work in a one-horse manner are generally losers. The returns this year are not so large per acre as those of last year. I have been informed that where the oats last year averaged 60 bushelß per acre this year there will not be more than 40 bushels'j and the same average applies to wheat, whilst the amount of straw is as large or larger than on the pre™"B occasion. Threshing is now general throughout the district. Grass and turnips, in consequence of the recent fine growing weather, are looking well. Roads.—The contract for the road through the bush la still unlet. It is time that it should be fit for traffic, as if left too late it will be midwinter before it is finished. The new road over Kelso hill Is a decided improvement on the old cutting, and lew to be hoped that a like improvement on the Tapanoi side of the hill will be made, as the present road is not only steep but in wet weather very dangerous a large district like this it is a wonder there are not more industries. Our saw mills have been reduced to two In number, and these and, a