UNKNOWN

Otago Witness, Issue 2862, 20 January 1909, Page 39

UNKNOWN

January 18. — Tho weather since the advent of the year has been of the most wretched description — in fact, it is the worst which has beeti experienced for six or seven years, especially when the time of the year is taken into consideration. Shearing.— Shearing is being unduly prolonged owing to the weather conditions prevailing. Shearing commenced in Wilden Station (Mr A. Pringle, manager) on November 18. There arc still over 10,000 sheep to shear, and from present a.ppear-an<--ps it. w hard to make a cast-off as to when '"cut-out will take place. Keppoch Station managed to get finished towards the dying days of the old year, a very lucky piece of work. The carrying capacity of tho above estate is large when the average is taken into consideration, but tlw shed accommodation is altogether too limited, especially since machines have been introduced. The manager of the Falls Estate has still close on 200 to put through. The same remark applies to Mrs O'Connor's flock. Tho Downs Estate (Mr Throp's) managed' to get finished on the 15th. The shed accommodation on the above estate, being large, has stood the proprietor in s^ood stead during the unprecedentedly wet season which we have been experiencing. The Messrs Knowles, Brenssell, and Paul have still to get their respective flocks shorn. As wool seems to be on the upward move, I hope all the above will strike good prices -notwithstanding the laten<*ss of th*»Ji- shearing operations.

Dairy Factory. — It is quite possible that at no distant date a dairy factory will be erected on the estate. The genial Harry Brenssell has been round all the settlers to ascertain then- strength on the matter, and from the f resent outlook there are no unsurmountable difficulties in the way. The -.ettlers seem To be unanimous in the mafier, and that being the ca«e, I say let no time be lo^t in getting the readymeney industry set going. New Settler.— Mr Jane ha* taken possession of Mr Brown's farm. I hear he comes with a good reputation as an all-round farmer, and, that being the .case, he ought to do well in hi 3 new purchase, as the farm is a good one, and it only requires '"farming" to make his deal a good and profitable one. Mr Brown has purchased a farm Waitahuna way. I "hear it is a good farms but the " cauld " of Waitahuna is enough for me. However, I wish MiBrown every success. Telephone. — When the school was closed for the holidays the telephone, by some unforeseen circum -farce, was al-o closed. The Farmers' Club took, the matter in hand and after communicating with headquarters a temporary wue «ai piomptly prected to one of the homesteads clo.-e to the school. It is to be hoped the temporary closing of the telephone will not occur again. Crops, etc. — The preps all over the estate are looking: splendid. Hnnwr will bo a month later than ia-fc year. Turnip" hn\e briardM v,oll in »-oir"* c-\^c~. The Mi'.'-r? Smaill ha\a a pai :i< uloi Iv yood biiaxf. Keppoch and tho Falh E-tarr^ ba\e al-o very promisng oiop~, and th« --simp lemark anphe-i to the Downs and Wild'»p Turnip-, would have been muc'i r-Ptr^r only for the unseasonable weath»r wti'oh wo Ikh? been p-*peri°Ticinsr and the d°\a. i tat i ons of tho fly. There aro •>omo «p!omiid oi-oi:-, of ryesra-i to bo harvo-rol A-= innsi of the c-ops nra "laid ur.l"-'- il'e woat^«r takei up \?n- c ocn rh^> hojw tw will h" ruined "Fic'd Div — I h-o.ir f l ,fi *■ m 'h^ ?3th th^vo i, yomtr (o |;o -j rvi'lft match din < iisr tie day b'-'tw --on rii« 'oral fl'.b.uxl Dunrob.n. rjl-o a nscipe and a •-<<•! al a'ul f'.'iiC" in T lr> o f\ -"uny I Vi>o .if rh« i)i" k fl'" -< 'i iol r'nl lr"Ti v ill 'v v II 1< ' ■>' "■!■<" •-< d wil'i a 11 , .1 ,]1 ..x . r-% , f rr- f, ft k TjO-^f-. T"h ro.» 'r 1 },c-~<~* \\<"-f U-v on the Downs Eetafce last week from

various causes. The proprietor of the estate is working and breeding with some high-class animals, both in draughts and thoroughbreds. Wilden is also going: in for breeding on a large scale. Moa Flat was famed many years aso for its horses, when such sires as the famous Lord Salisbury and Ivanhoe were at iho services of breeders. At the present time some of the settlers are putting thmselvee to no little inconvenience to sec\ire the services of some of the top-notch draught stock available.