POMAHAKA DOWNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2513, 14 May 1902, Page 31

POMAHAKA DOWNS.

' May 12. — We have had better weather during the last fortnight than any experienced for some time — slight frosts at night and warm, sunny days. Harvest. — Threshing is now finished on the Downs. Mr Trussler's mill has done it all, as there was not very much to do. Two years ago this mill did not give satisfaction, the stuff Jbeing badly dressed, but it is only fair to say that this year I hear nothing but praise of the way in which the work has been done. Mr Murray's mill, which has been threshing in the neighbourhood, has been very unfortunate, having broken down on more than one occasion. Mr Trussler is now doing some chaff-cutting, and then we shall be set up for the winter. Ploughing. — I notice that Mr Herriott has been ploughing, and I see a few have started at Waiwera. . The Coronation. — Our storekeeper, Mr Gordon, left for home a- fortnight ago, with the intention of being in London at Coronation time. I took it upon myself to ask him if he could arrange for an interview with the King to lay the case of the Pomahaka settlers before him, and h& promised to do so. Mr Martin Rae, of Wairuna, is also, a-way Home, and X hear that Messrs Miller, of Ashley Downs,* and J. Boyle, of the Gorge, are leaving soon. Sale.— Last Wednesday Mt J. Boyle, of the ji Popotunoa Gorge, held a, clearing sale. Mr [ Boyle has let his farm fox a-numbsr of years to Mr A. Orr r also- of the Gorge, as he intends paying a, visit to the land of hia birth— land • of -the mountain and the flood, the bonnet and plaidie, the kilt and the heather. The day was very fine, and- the drive up the Gorge was ■ most enjoyable. A very large number attended : the sale; and prices were booming. Having ! never been so far up the Gorge before, I was j interested in the look of the country. It seems to bs a fine country for sheep. There is not j much flat land, but there are any number ; of kopjes, which must give fine shelter. The 1 farmers up there seem to cultivate a certain ' portion of the ground, whilst they have a block of country at a rent of about 6d per acre for sheep (I heard of one block being- as low as 2d per p.cre). That is what should be the case here. We are too far from the market : to cultivate much crop, and the holdings are j too email to run much stock on. I