WAIKAKA VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2319, 11 August 1898, Page 29

WAIKAKA VALLEY.

August 3. — Mr Palkiner, Government rosd f-urveyor, has completed the grading, etc., of tho load between here and Wyiidham, and I understand that about 20 men are to start on ihe formation as scon as the weather takes up. The places, or sections, were drawn for last Saturday. As to prices, from what I tan learn the authorities do not intend to err on the liberal side this time. Still, I suppose the men hkve no alternative but to accept. I believe thoy are all settlers this time, and no doubt most of them are due something in the shape of rent to the Land Board. Further, I fancy most of them have been caught by a certain company having its chief offico in your city, and which it now in liquidation, as notice to pay up all shares in full has been received in the district by nearly everyone, whether they applied for shares or not. All this, added tj the late bad seascn, tends to make the sattlers willing lo work for »nj thing approaching a fair wage. Our Winter.— The weather has certainly been the mo3t severe during tho past few days that I have witnessed here. For some days we had snow, hail, a touch of frost, rain, and bitterly cold winds nearly all the time. This must be very trying to all kinds of stock, especially seeing that winter feed of every dnscription is scarcer this season than usual. F&rm work is simply at a standstill throughout the district. If we had a very fine winter iast year, followed by a very ivet summer and h»u'\eet, thia winter is certainly hard enough to be followed by a good spring, summer, and autumn, and such a summer season is very much needed.

Dairying. — Our dairy factory and plant are r.O\V, I believe, being offered for sale. Where now is the liberal gentleman who, ;♦ was stated, intended to act the good Samaritan, and take chargo of the factory along with tho settlers if opportunity offered?

fee hool !\Eattc>rs. — Our school has been closed for four weeks to give the weather a fair chance. Perhaps by that time the weather ms>y improve, cr the board may see its way to have the building made habitable in accordance with the promise gnon in April last.

Asked But Not Answered. — I notice one settlor has been asking the Southland Land Board foe their reason for not accepting his application to surrender his holding, the reply oeing that the boasd does not give reasors. 1 should think not. If I do not misjudge this board, they wo ild fe»l ashamed to give a reason. I should advisa the settler in question to see if the Hon. John M'Kenzia could not supply a reason. I fancy he knows as much about it a"3 aryone, and he probably wants his pound of flesh, and means to try every means in his power to obtain it.