MID-WAIAU.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 29

MID-WAIAU.

Tune 5. — The weather has been particularly fine, with rather hard frosts during the night, and bright, cloudless, warm days. A change is ai present apparently coming over from the north-west.

• Agricultural. — The year has been full of promise. The crops in most places have been better than hitherto. The farmers on Merrivale- who have some of the highest-priced sections have had in the past very disheartening {results. By enterprise, hard work and skilful farming a great change is, however, apparent. I regret that they do not have much encouragement in the prices. An 18-mile drive means a two-days' trip, and at the present quotations there will not be much return for their labours. Those who have had sheep have done well. The district seems pretty nearly cleared out of surplus stock. The ewes being thin on the ground, should give a good return per head next year.

Reductions Wanted. — A meeting -was held at Merrivale on May 27, when a resolution was passed that a reduction in the percentage of the land be asked for — viz., from 5 per cent. to 4, and that the loading be taken off. Messrs M'Donald (chairman), Young, T. Scott, Murchison, Pindlay } King, Baiwell, Mathesou, and Torpy were appointed a committee. At a meeting of thi3 committee the four first-named were appointed a deputation to the member for Wallace to him as to the position, and also to urge the carrying forwaid of the Merrivale railway, or which he has repeatedly avowed himself an earnest Eupporter. /- Rabbits. — On Otahu things have been mixed. Rabbits have played great havoc. Mr Brown's crop was utterly ruined. This ground was worked well by the Government until March 1898, and afterwards heavily trapped and ferreted by rabbi ters for export. Jxi spite of all tUere have been more rabbits this year than pieviously. Off an unfortunate patch of turnips more than 1000 have been taken. Ferrets, hawks, and cats have, however, suffered a great decrease. On the other hand, rats are multiplying at a great rate. One settler down the Jacob's River told me that during the past two years they had done him £100 damage. On the same day another farmer from the Mataura put down his loss through these vermin at not less than £1 per week. Mining.,— Things are quiet in the dredging line. If the Belmont does well things will soon be lively here. School Committees. — Eastern Bush- H Morrison, Darley, G. Davis, Morton, C. S. Smith; Feldwick : E. Davis, A. Salton, Allen, Mitchell, Bturgess; Merrivale: Findlay, Murchison, Chamberlain, Clarke, Rogers. In each case the first-named is chairman and the nest secretary.

Confirmatory. — Exception was taken to a paragraph in my last. I simply reply that every statement was correct.