PUERUA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 33

PUERUA.

June 22. — We ha^e had a long spell of dry, frosty weather here lately — very pleasant at midday, when the sun is usually shining, but very cold night and early morning. We have had a longer course of, consecutive days of "frost than I have seen in this country for a considerable time, as the frosts here usually last only about a couple of days, being generally followed by rain. The river has not been frozen yet this winter. I have seen the river nearly frozen over, but that very seldom occurs. No snow as yet on the lower ground. The Crops. — The late dry weather has been very advantageous for threshing. We are waiting for Mr Stewart's mill and traction engine, at present engaged elsewhere. Messrs Robertson's mill has also been at work a-t Owaka and neighboiirliood. The return of oats seems likely to be up to the average, but a portion of the grain is somewhat discoloured by the wet weather. Turnips have benefited by the moist weather, and are generally a very good crop. Potatoes have done well generally, there haying been no severe early autumn frosts to injure them hereabouts. My neighbour, Mr M'Sechnie, planted potatoes on a few acres of land on the river flat. They were apparently a good crop, the shaws being well grown, but when they were dug they turned out to be affected by a disease, the tubers having black spots in them, and being nearly all unfit to eat. We do not know what the cause of this is. It appears something like the Irish potato disease, but in that disease, I think, the shaws aro affected. The first crop of potatoes on the same ground was excellent. Th_e

dry, frosty weather has not been favourable for pasture grass, which is getting scarce.

Horticultural. — Apples and pears have been abund&nt this season, but the price for these fruits is very low, only a penny a pound, and glad io get them off at that. iJerries have for tne liiosx part been monopolised by the snmll birds, the only protection from which seems to be netting over the bushes.

I3u.my. — A considerable amount of trapping has been going on here, Mr Woods, of Balcluiha, making a circuit for the carcases. POlEoning with pho3phorised oats will now soon be on. I iinderstaiid they are not allowing trapping on the Lochindorb run this season, relying altogether on poisoning.

Roads, etc. — The roads are exceptionally dry for this period of the year. The water-tables on the Puerua main road seem to be much in want of cleaning out. I think it is a good while since they received that attention.

Patiiotic. — The people hereabouts are tec scattered for much demonstration on the British successes. Mr' William Patterson has mounted a few flags about his store. We sent a trooper from this district — namely, Mr Herbert Shalders, for whom we subscribed a horse, etc. He appears to be a first-rate rider, and I presume is a good shot.

Health — I think the general health 'is good here at piesent. Ido not hear of much sickness about.