TUAPEKA WEST.

Otago Witness, Volume 26, Issue 2419, 26 July 1900, Page 31

TUAPEKA WEST.

July 23. — The weather we have been getting during the past fortnight has been extremely rough — -a continuous downpour of rain, sleet, and snow, which has made the ground a. perfect quagmire. In fact, I never saw turnip ground so saturated with moisture. The severe frosts made the ground so porous that it holds all the water, and sheep are simply bogging. I have heard of several dying from eating dirty turnips. So much wet will keep them back in condition. Although the turnip crop has been good this year, farmers will «ot get the same benefit out of then? as if it were a dry season. All farm work is at a standstill. With so much frost and continuous rain, ploughing is very much behind. Our roads are in a bad state. There has been a great deal of complaint about the state of the main road from Lawrence to Roxburgh, and I think the county council folk have neglected their duty in allowing the road to go so long without metal. The middle of the road is worn lower than the sides, and the water thus allowed to lie, together with the heavy traffic, is breaking through the pitching." Night School. — Our teacher," Mr Grant, is to be complimented on opening a night school. It is well appreciated by our young men and lads, as nearly all of them are taking advantage of it. As they become of age they begin to see the advantage of a good education. There are some of the young men who 'went through the standards in the day schools going to the night school to have their memories refreshed.