TUAPEKA WEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2779, 19 June 1907, Page 39

TUAPEKA WEST.

June 14. — We are slill waiting and wishing for more wiin, a rather unusual thing for Otago in t<h? month of June. We have had a htcle ram and snow, and it has been extremely ccld for a short time, but it has not had nvuch effect in softer ing the gTound for ploughing, v.-hdeh has been considerably kept back this season. Lea land is still very haid Lnd troublesome to plough. The digger has to bs laid aside, and we have to resort to the o d double-furrow by adding five horses, and sometimes six. If we don't get more rain and a wet spring it will be very hard to work down for a seed bed. Sheep feeding »» getting- tie b^ncfil of th« di-y we-a tiler The sheep on the turnips do well With this weatlier, as they feed very cleanly, but it has kept the growth back, for most of the turnips are not ripe, and are still growing. There has been an unusual percentage of deaths among Bheep feeding on the turnips. It is attributed to the unripeness of the turnips.

3«ed Oats. — Most of the farmers have been securing their seed frc-m Southland for this district, as- it does well hero. Depopulation. — Our local school is losing its attendance by families leaving the district. The rising generation are not entering into the bonds of matrimony, and as a fair percentage of land is owned by bachelors, they ehou!d be taxed, as has lieeu talked of. The Government, I think, should take the matter m hand, as the country cannot prosper without a population. Clearing Sale. — A clearing sale of stock and farm implements was held at Slamaunan yesterday, Messrs Porter Bros.' lease c,f the Lawrence Borough endowment having expired. The sale was very successful, everything selling well, particular y sheep, which brought excellent prices. They were a good class, and in the pink of condition. The draught horses were a superior farm lot. and brought from £il downwards. Waggon, drays, arid other farm implements sold well. Chaff so d at 3s 5d per bag. Messrs Porter Bro=. can congratulate themselves on having a good clearing sftie. The Attendance of neighbouring settler"* was large, and buyers were presei.t from Lawrence Milton, and surrounding districts Mr C. Reid, of the firm of D R*.a.nd Co , of Duned'm, was the auctioneer.