POMAHAKA DOWNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 25

POMAHAKA DOWNS.

June 1. -Since I landed on the shores of New Zealand I have generally remarked that ths month of May has better weather than April, and this year has been no exception, for tha May weather has certainly been remarkably favourable, taking it all through. Of real summer weather I think we had two days, if not three, and the autumn season was cold aud raiuy with blustering winds. The Home folk have had a good winter, and it looks as if we were going to follow Buit.

Agricultural.— There being nothing but a few straw stacks to be sco« in the stubble paddocks now, the settlers are turning their attention once more to the plough. Mr Burke, who took over M'Cormick's section, has a large block of tussock already blucki-nnl, whiht others aie turning over the Etubblf.

Turnips —'She turnip crop this year, especially oo the first furrow, has not b.een a success, and the sheep are finishing up their breaks far too soon for the good of tho settlers. Stock. Losses — Anice youug hack belonging to Mr Falkner got a bad weund a short time ago on the hindquarter from too close contact with barbed wire, and as mortification stt in, the owner had to shoot the auimal.

Bunny. — General poieouing commencts this month, and it is to be hoped that every one will pay proper attention to tlie wiuts of the little " varmint "

The School —I heard a short time ago that the school was in danger of being shut up from want of a sufficient number of scholars. I trust that such will not be the case, for what is to become of the children who at present attend the school? Are they to grow up barbarians ? Surely not. There is no other school which they could attend, and if the au'horities were to close this school I fear it would not help on the settlement of the estate. There are two, if not three, vacant sections near the school which would suit a man with a family very well. One of these sections especially do I fancy for its fine northern aspect, ana why has it not been taken up? A new committee was formed a month ago, and I believe they intend making their mark by having the grounds enclosed with a fence.

Clinton Mutual Improvement Society.— Although this is not a Pomahaka society, yet some of the Pomahaka inhabitants belong to it, and I w.>uld advise all those who care to spend a couple of hours in the evening profitably to join this sociuty. Mr J. B Thomson, a veteran iv debate, is president. *We have a "social" once a month, when the ladies who belong to the society provide tea and cakes. Then we have a night for debating some subject, an essay night, and an occasional lecture. Last Wednesday we had the Rev. Mr Waddell, who lectured on '* Dogs."