COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2756, 9 January 1907, Page 49

COUNTRY.

PtVAHiKA DOWNS. {From a Correspondent.) January 5. — We ar« now entered upon another new year, the future of which, to all is » sealed hook. Perhaps it is well for m*n that the future is ft hidden mystery. ■We can. look back upon the old year and. Tegret our shortcomings ox see the error of our ways, and thus prepare for a pleasanter path along the ofttimes dreary road of the new year; but a conception- of the future is beyond' human coniprenension. Nothing cf «, startling nature -occurred Here during the holiday season,, .Amusements there were none. All was deadly dull. A few wended their way to the Clinton sports for a day's outing, thus coming in contact with friends and. discussing the topics of the day, while others remained at home pondering over their ' Trite and oiherwiee deeds and actions during the year that 'passed into oblivion. Generally, 1906 has been a> fairly successful year. - True, ft fortune has- not been in sight, and never will under existing conditions, but less energy and worry was required to get straps and ouckie. to meet, as wool and oats have been, good property. Reduction cf rent is ' not yet visib.e, while the cry for relief has been very pronounced. No forfeitures took ■place during the year, and incoming tenants ■were conspicuous by their absence. Five grazing licences were granted, and one declined. In the aggregate, there are 2035 acres-of Pomahaka still unlet. Of course, all this i» selected for grazing purposes only., at a rental of 3d an acre for six months and 6d an acre for 12 months. , Drought. — The long-continued drought is playing sad havoc with oat crops— m fact, all- vegetation. Grass is on the wane, late sown oats are miserable, barely covering the ground. ' Complaints are still rife as 'to the gloomy prospect of the oat crops, which will undoubtedly result in great hardship to the " settlers, as they were building hopes ■ on. a 'crop that would give fair remuneration for their season's toil. Turnips are also suffering for want of rain. As the weather is capital for shearing, this work ' is not* retarded. The / sheep in iair condition, although the pasture' is scorched up. Very litt.e grass is saved for seed purposes, and, being short, it is fetfted in some instances the back delivery , will have to be 'reintro* duced. In that case the ladies will have to turn out in Old Country' style. Deputation.— A » deputation of settlers waited en the Minister of Lands at Clinton recently in connection with rents, and also interviewed the Land Board anent overdue rent, but all efforts for relief in any shape or .form have been abortive. Evidently Pomahaka and its settlers are to be allowed to drift mercilessly to their doom. The School.— The local school was examined by Inspector Richardson . early in Dfibember last, when all presented passed. The inspector spoke in eulogistic ' terms of the general tone and conduct of the children. The district is very fortunate in having a school teacher tike Miss M'Dbugall, who spares neither time nor expense in advancing the welfare of, the children, educationally and otherwise. One hour > on Sunday afternoons, is devoted to Scriptural training^ which, in ». back-blocks place* like this, has a very marked effect upon the young. Undoubtedly her influence for good* in a community ia far-reaching from ft moral jioint, whilst educationally the children advance- in. a very satisfactory manner. Prior to the school break-up the teacher presented every child, at iur own -expense, in and out of school* with »*» * nice book. Aggie 'Erskine was awarded first 'prize for regular .attendance, being absent one half-day only during the last 12 months.