WAIKAKA VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2302, 14 April 1898, Page 25

WAIKAKA VALLEY.

April 11.— If it be our luck to get a few weeks of dry weather, the harvest and threshing Avill be over in this district. So far the harvesting has been done by instalments, as it has been a very rare occurrence for us to get two successive days of harvest weather. A few of the farmers hdve their crops threshed, and are carting away at present. Although this year the returns after threshing are below the average, the price obtainable at present is better than usual ; so the deficiency caused by the wet season will not be so noticeable as was at first expected. Threshing is being pushed ahead now, aud when the weather is favourable the farmers and millowners appear to realise that the best way to lengthen their days is to steal a few hours from the night. The late turnip crop will be very poor, although some of the early patches are quite up to the average. After having had such n spell of wintry weather throughout the summei, we are living in hopes of a mild winter.

Public Library —I understand that a meeting will be called at an early date for the purpose of considering- the establishment of a public library in iim district. I quite believe outside districts will be surprised that we have been without a library for so long. As a, large number of tha Waikaka Valley residents could not attend the Jubilee celebrations in Uunedin owing to harvesting operations reqniriag their attention at home, I consider that Otago's Jubilee , should be marked in the Valley by the establishment of a public library in our midst. Although perhaps only a limited number of books might be procurable for a start, yet the magazines that could be obtained monthly would remind us that there are some other places in this world besides our own district. As most of us are aware ef the advantages to be derived from a well-selected library, I am of opinion that before many months such an institution, will be found flourishing in Waikaka Valley.