WAIWERA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2784, 24 July 1907, Page 39

WAIWERA.

July 20. — The winter co far has been very favourable for stock, also for general work for the farmer. We have had occasional showers, with cold snaps, as might be expected, being about mid-winter at present. There is a cold wind blowing from the east, making it unpleasant to work in, but so long as rain or snow keeps away we shall not be much inconvenienced, as dry cold, so to speak, keeps the land in good order for working, and is not very injurious to stock if they are well fed. As is usually the case at this time of the year, there is great talk when a number of farmers meet as to who has the best turnip crops in the district; and one of tfce best I have seen is Mr William M'Lean's. This is really a splendid crop of broadcast, large and even, and, being of the hard variety, wiL stand a lot of eating. Two hundredweight of manure per acre was used, so that the «">p nxast naCy fee • p»yu^ os«. AJtlraugii chaff is pretty scarce, I think most of our farmers will have enough for their own use, and in some cases a few tons to. spare.

Sickness. — There ha* been a great deal of sickness lately throughout the district, and one death is reported — that of Mrs M'Kenzie, on the rxjrth side of the river, who died at a good old age, after living in the district for many years in a quiet and peaceable manner, respected and loved by all who knew her. She leaves a long train of family relations, children and descendants, to mourn their lose.

New Settlements. — Our -next new settlement will bs, I suppose-, that of Mr Gibson's property lately purolwed by the Government. From what I can gather this is a good property, and likely to bp eagerly tried for by intending settlers. Since my last note a petition has been taken round for signature to present to Parliament, drawing attention to the great need of a railway to suit the large tract of country between Clinton and Greenfield. There are extensive coalbeds up on boijh sides of fiie Pomahaka River, both on private and Government lands, and it seems reasonable acd right tihat the railway shou'd- go through these parts. The route suggested would, for all practical purposes, be of the greatest benefit to the greatest number from this end. It does seem almost absurd to run the trains in opposition to the steamer up the river. However, tha* i» for wi a er heads han mine to settle. In the meantime we pray that the scheme will bs duly considered before anything is definitely decided on.