TAPAKUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 11

TAPAKUI.

February 27. — Harvest is now approaching rapidly, and within the next few weeks the hum of the reaper roid binder will be the best music the farmer has heard for some time. The days are rapidly drawing 111, but as they become shorter they appear to grow more genial, and the past week or so has provided some of the sunshine necessary to ripen the corn. We may yet have exceptionally good weather for the fall, and if so there will be a bountiful harvest. With the exception of the poitions already thre&hed in the field by the small birds, there is every indication of some very heavy crops this season. The grain should be well filled, and, if harvested dry, prove up to the mark in colour. The reaper has started in a few early patches, but it will be a week or so yet — with the most favourable weather — before harvesting is general. The season has been a remarkable one for grass and root crops, and there is everywhere an abundance of feed. Farmers seem all in readiness for the work of harvest, and when it does start in earnest there will be little time lost. Farm labourers should not have to go far for work this season, as the rabbiting industry now absorbs a lot of hands that Hitherto depended on harvest work.

Trapping. — The work of trapping rabbits for expoit has commenced, and the agents are vying with eah other to secure trade. At this early stage in the season the industry cannot be a very pofitable one, as the percentage of 1 ejects must be large. The demand appears to be unlimited, and no ■doubt some high wages will be made by expert trappers on good blocks of land. There is much comment on farmers being prosecuted for failing to poison their land just before trapping is announced to start, and it would certainly look as if the Government desired to control the farms and their possessions as well. It must be to the loss cf a farmer to allow rabbits to become so plentiful as to rob his stock of feed, as well

as lessen tho carrying capacity of the Land, but it is hard linos to be heavily fined into tho bargain. It is equally hard for a neighbour who keeps his rabbits down to bo iniestcd by those from the properly of the negligent one, and there are, of course, two sides to the question. The Rabbit x\.ct would not bo held in biicli ignomy if lar.downcrs were given the privilege of cnlhng evidence and showing -if any attempts were made on their part to keep tho pest in check. But until such is the ca=e there will be continued dissatisfaction.

Amudcinents — The Stt'elc-Payuc- Family vs ere veil patroiused last Friday evening, aiid their entertainment, is a first-class" one, the nrograrnme being mo&t varied. We have also had the St. Geoiges Happy Hours Company for two nights, and this combination also cai'glit on with the public.

Volunteer Corps.— A public meeting to discuss the formation of a volunteer corps for the district was largely attended on Saturday evening, and tho proposal is evidently a popular one. The mayor (Mr T. J. Quayle) occupied the chair. It was agreed to form a corps of infantry, the vote being very largely in favour of that as against mounted rifles. The opinion seemed to prevail that in a district such as this, where almost eveiy adult can ride, the great necessity was 10 have the men instructed in drill, discipline, and shooting, and then, if occasion arose, they could quickly be transformed into a mounted troop. By forming a mounted company at once many who could not afford to keep horses would be debarred from the training and shooting exercises, and the value of the project thus be considerably lessened. The matter was fully discussed by the meeting, and when volunteers "-ere called for 60 were forthcoming. This number should be easily raised to 100, and a first-class body foimed ;f the Government elect to accept their services. On previous occasions the district has been declined a volunteer corps, but taking advantage of the present war fever, it was resolved to make another attempt. It will certainly be a great disappointment if another refusal is met with, as I fear the expense of maintaining a mounted company would be too' great for the class that will make ' the best soldiers, and who can be grounded m the preliminary duties of militiuy work by the means of an infantry corns. Mr R. A. Rodger is acting as csi oiling officer, and tho list will be open during the pesent we«k. War.— Since the dispatch of the local volunteers for DunediJi there has been a lull in the patriotic fund business, and there, is just now an eager desire foj.- any news from the front. The reply to General Cronje's appeal for an armistice — '" Surrender or die" —seemed to find general favour, and during the whole day news of the result was anxiously looked for. Monday's intelligence was read with hopefulness, as showing a general improvement in the British situation.

Lpnd Sale. — There is considerable speculation as to the re'sulj;, of the sale of tho remaining portion of the famous Brooksdale estate next month. • The propety comprises a lot of splendid land, and in view of the last sale and tho present prosperous outlook for farming generally, there should be strong competition. The homestead, with 2000 acres of land, should be one of the choice holdings of the colony, and as.. a picturesque spot I doubt if it can be excelled. With the settlement of this portion of Brooksdale, there will be an unbroken chain of small farms leading from Tapanui in the Crookston, . direction.

Presbyterian.— The Rev. Adam Begg has been on a' holiday during the past month, and the Revs.. Hewitson, P. B. Fraser, and others ha\e been acting as supply. The Rev. and Mrs Hewiteon are located at the manse, and the visitors are delighted with our native scenery and the attractions of the district as a holiday resort.

Excursion. — An attempt was made to get up a railway excursion for the floral fete at Dunedin on Wednesday, and to give residents a chance of seeing "our boys" in camp, but the department asked a fabulous siim as guarantee. The excursion would have been an immense success, but any later one will be interfered with by harvest, and the people are naturally chagrined at the lesult. Many recognise the fact that a visit to the official sendoff will mean much inconvenience in the way of accommodation, and perhaps a very meagre sight of the proceedings, whereas a day at the camp would have proved educational, and could have been enjoyed in comparative comfort.