TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 39

TAPANUI.

Ikxarch B.—A change of weather makes » vast difference to the appearance of an agricultural district, and contrasted with c, month ago the altered conditions are most marked. At that time grass was burned up, turnip crops at a standstill, and the outlook for the land-owner none too promising. Splendid reins, however, have saved the situation, and present appearances are veiy pleasing. Grass i* again green, turnips coming away with a rush, and harvest operations proceeding on <all hands. A few weeks of the present glorious weather—moist, dewy nights and hot. sunny days—will see the harvest practically at an end, and earlier than last year's unusually early harvest. The crops are turning out well, and are expected to thresh a good average yield. Seme very heavy crops of oats and wheat are to be seen between Conical Hills and Mo* Flat. On Crookston Flat the wheat fields are looking exceedingly well. Stacks are going up in all paddocks, and the threshing mills have started. An early harvest and grain-carting over means a great deal to the iermer, enabling him to get ploughing work forward before winter. This being done, there is no delay at sowing time, and the ground ia in proper order. During the past few day 9 several special trains have come up the branch with consignments of sheep, and a good few thousand more have oeen railed in, presumably going to Moa. Flat. The sheep market appears firm at present, and good, young, breeding ewes command a clear sovereign apiece. New County.—There ia considerable ciscussion at present anent the proposed alteration of boundaries in Tivapeka County. Members at this end have had great difficulty in getting the council to consider the question seriously, and now that it has been taken in hand the proposed alterations would not appear to be going to afford the necessary relief. The question has evidently been decided upon a population basis, and votes must rule the revenue-earning localities. This is all right in theory, but when it comes to funds for road-making and maintenance, where there is much of it required, the !and» owners paying heavy sums yearly in rates da not catch on to tlie idea at all. The Counrty Separation Committee do not view the proposed readjustment of boundaries favourably and are continuing their efforts to establish a district county, to which I have net heard a single dissenter. The petitions are to be sent out for signature at an early date. Sporting.—Cricket has been dead for some time past, and harvest is engrossing the attention of most players. The bowling green is fairly well patronised, and at present a tournament is being played off amongst the members. Thi3 will be the first competition of the kind on the green, and players should soon be in a- position to challenge an outside club. The green is looking very well at present. Angling—The change in weather has enabled the ang'eis to get out again, and some fair baskets were obtained last week. The " Tapanui Angler? and Teer-stalkers' Association held their final competition for the season last Wednesday week, when 1C rorls were out on stretches from the mouth of the Waipahi to Burning Plains. The river waa in good order, but the fish were not on the move. The result wag that pc.or takes resulted, some of the competitors not weighing in. Mr S. Poynter (Rank!eburn) secured first prize (presented by Mr Alfred Andersen, Dunedin), with 131b of fi«=h; and Mr P. Hay second (trophy presented by Messrs Williie and Co., Dunedin), with 10lb of hah. Mr R. A. R.idger weighed in the best fish of the day—s£ b, and in splendid order. Sportsmen are now looking forward to deerstalking, which commences on the 10th April, I notice Mr Hardcastle is again in public pr-nt regarding the apathy of the O.A.S. iv looking after the red deer herd. It was expected .some attention would be given to the tallow deer here, but apparently the large amount of newspaper space devoted to the subject last season was wasted. The society collects the fees, but the herd is left for something like 30 years to look after itself — no fresh b'aod or attempts at improvement. It is certainly an' astocishing attitude to assume towards co noticeable an asset, but there is co greater certainty than that when the herd is reduced "riff raff" there will be no Ucense fees forthcoming. ( China Mission.—Mx and Mrs J. H. kdgar, of the China Inland Mission, are at present on a holiday in this district. Mr Edgar left here about 10 vgars ago to take up the mission work, and has had considerable travel in the interval. He is to give * 'ecture en his experiences at an early date, and the subject should contain ir-uch that is new to many of his hearers. Mx Edgar looks well, and apparently stands the climatic conditions of the country of the ancient race with good effect.