MOA FL.AT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 39

January 24.— For several weeks the weather has been very much "mixed." roasting hot. hurricane gales, and some days one would think we were nearing icebergs, the ten> peratuie being so toy . Some splendid rains have fallen at intervals, and at the present time the whole settlement is a pictuie to look at.

Visitors — During the holidays a large nuinbsr of strangers paid the settlement a visit. Some weie greatly surprised at the appearance of the crops, etc. One was very inquisitive re actual grain yields, and so forth, and when he was told up to 100 bushels oats. chaff 21 up to 25 bags to the ton, turnips (swedes) 161b up to 261b, he wag almost staggered. Railway construction was also mentioned, and the visitor was of the opinion that at no distant date the settlement was bound to be connected bj rail. A gentleman just returned from a visit to Canterbury gives a bad account of the appearance, of the country, and comes back firmly convinced that the Moa Flat settlement takes a lot of rubbing out Mr and Mrs Howell have been paying the Falls. Estate a visit, and Mr D Macdonald and party 'have been visiting Keppoch Estate.

Church — The influx of visitors has helped to swell the attendance at church. The new organ was used for the first time on December 15. Miss Ellis, in charge of the school, presiding. Since the school was closed for the holidays. Miss M'Fadyen has presided at the organ. The instrument is a good one and greatly assists the praise portion of the °ervice.

Agricultural —Crops of all kinds are looking excellent The finest crops of cats and wheat are to be seen on many of the sectiors, the only fear beiug that they may become "laid" before cutting The iipper part of the Ettrick Estate has most of the crops cut, and some in the stook. Along the road one can see heavy crops of wheat, oats, and barley being =ecured. In the higher land the harvest is several weeks later. On Mr

R. Heath s estate a fine crop of grass is in stook. Turnips are promising to be a prolific crop, and the estate is likely again to become an area of refuge to starvingflocks during the winer. On Mrs O'Connor's farrm a large area is in raised drills, and judging from present appearances is likely to give a handsome return for the extra, labour entailed. Nothing beats the raised drills for keeping the laud clear of weeds

Shearing — Shearing ia now finished on the estate. Shearing wies finished on The Downs in 10 J days without a single break — pretty well a record fox Mfoa Flat, I shmild think, as over 200 baleß were packed. The shearing tally for the settlement was greater than when it was a- station property, showing the wisdom of closer settlemlent. The wool was clipped in good condition, and should just about top the market at the sales.

Building —The building boom, still contanues. Mr Howells has completed hia residence, and it Is an ornament to the countryside, and the outbuildings are also approaching 1 completion. Mr Acton Adams (Wilden) is adding a large wing to an already large residence, and I hear that Messrs Cunningham, Smaill Bros , and Love are about to erect residences in concrete, stone, and wood respectively. Tho plans, I ami Informed, show these structures to be- of handsome design, and they are likely to be erected immediately. Alterations and additions are also to "be made to the residence on the Keppoch Estate. Nearly all the settlers have added to their buildings" or are preparing to do co before the winter ?eta in. Farmers' Club. — The above club held a meeting on the 21st mat., -when there •was a fair Attendance of members present. J*he guarantee bond was presenifcecf, fully signed, to forward to the department to get the telephone extended to the settlement. After

discussion it was decided to withhold' tfc* bond, and forward the cash required. Th* full amount was subscribed in the room. ~i&x Thorp having resigned th© presidency e-S the club Mr D. M'Kenzie was duly elected to the office. It was suggested to arrang* for better organisation to obtain an extension of the Edievale railway to the estate. Ther« is no doubt whatever that an extension oi the railway would prove a great boon to this productive sett'ement. It only requires unanimity on the part or the settlers, and the settlement is bound to be tapped by t -ailway.

Land Values. — Although the rice of has advanced considerably since the subdivision of the estate (some oi the holdersi doubling their money) it is" still the cheapest land m Otago. The members of the Land Purchase Board cannot do better than come up here and' have a look round the settlement (Minister for Lands included) and see the huge mistake they made in not securing the estate for closer settlement.

Picnic. — Seeing there was no ceremony when the school was cosed for the holidays' it is to be hoped the members of the committee will see their wav to give the little ones a day's outing when the school is opened again Why not? The settleia have a general picnic, with a concert, and dance in the evening Tor those toilers who cannot get to the picnic. Lo«e no time in getting details fixed up, as harvest is close at hand. Surelj the settlement is not behind other centres in th above respect?

Stock Losses. — Messrs Jone Bro3. have had the misfortune to lose a young draught mare and fcal. Mi J. Brown has also had another knock, in tosing a well-bred hacknej foal. Mr Love has lost o young foal. too. Mails. — Some little time ago it was pointed out to Mr Bennet, M.H.R . chat no mail was carried from Heriot by the train leaving there *t 8.30 am. Mr Bennet promptly brought the matter under the notice of tha Postmaster-general, who, afte. inquiries had _ been made intc th- matter, srranted ha request asked for. [Arrived too late for last week's Issue — Ed]