THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 39

THE COUNTRY.

:-.rß" Correspondents are reminded that all letfars ior the current week's issue must reach fejjaedm NOT LATEB THAN MONDAY NIGHT. Skelters coming to hand on Tuesday are too late, Bad are tana a week old when they appear. LAK£ CeUKTY March 5. —Heavy rain fell throughout ■fch© district on Wednesday. This has done an immense amount of good and greatly improved the prospects for winter feed for stock. ■ Personal.—Miss Copland, who has been 'teacher of the secondary department of the District High School for the past iwo years, has resigned from that position, having received an appointment in the South School, Oamaru. —Mr W. G. Blackie, M.A., head master of the Arrow High. School, has received word that he has passed the examination for the B.Sc. degree.—Mr Ronald Algie, son of Mr J. A. -'Algie, Queenstown, has passed the first section of the B.A. and LL.B. degrees. Deaths. —I have this week to record the 'deaths of two very old residents of fche district. At Queenstown, on the 24th ult., Mrs Gardiner, who arrived in Queenstown. in 1869, passed away at the age of 80 years. The late Mrs Gardiner was highly respected and esteemed. The funeral ■took place at Queenstown on Saturday last, the Rev. Ji D. Webster conducting the burial service.—-At- Pleasant View, 'Arrow, on. Tuesday last, 'Mr M'Entyre, wife of Mr Thos. M'Entyre, passed away after a long illness. The deceased lady was >a native of County Clare, Ireland, and arrived in Arrowtown, with her husband in 1866. She had been in poor health for -the past three years, and latterly no hope •was entertained for her recovery. The late Mrs M'Entyre was of a most* kindly nature, and her husband and family are left to grieve over the loss of a good wife and affectionate mother. The funeral took ,place a,t Arrowtown on Thursday. The iburial service was conducted by the Rev. Father O'Donnell. General. —The asphalt tennis courts laid idown by Mr Manly for the Tourist Department in, the Queenstown Park are now completed, and it is anticipated that they will be fit for play about Easter time. — 'A fire brigade has been formed in Arrowtown. Mr A. Goodley has been appointed fire inspector, and Mr W. Murphy captain. —A fair number of week-enders continue to come to Queenstown. On Saturday evening last 65 arrived. Wakatipu Licensing Committee. —The quarterly meeting was held in Queenstown yesterday (Friday). Transfers were granted —Mrs Grant to P. M'Dougall for Wanaka Hotel, Pembroke, and J. Aitken to A. W. Scott Gibbston Hotel. Mrs .Searle was granted permission to carry on Eichardt's Hotel, Queenstown, till the animal meeting.

Mining.—There is nothing new to report an the mining world. Crushing of Homeward Bound stone is being continued at the Tipperary Battery, Mgcetown. Men ■have been sent down fcd Waipori to take down the battery recently purchased there for removal to Macetown. ' Th© pipes for the Shamrock claim are coming to hand and are being put in position.

EASTERN BUSH. February 28. —After more than two months, which were almost rainless and characterised generally by intense heat, dry .winds, and dew less nights, we have had a good rain, which in the short space of two clays has made a great change in the appearance of the turnips. There would have 'been good crops of this root had the rain come three weeks ago. Even now there may ibe good spring and late winter feed, but much depends on the weather during the mext five or six weeks. Grass in many places has- been completely burnt up on sunny faces and shingly ground. On the tridges where the soil is of a cooler nature it will quickly recover. Where grass was, 'sown late it will have to be resown next year in many places. The crops on the aidiges ane much less afflected by ■Erie weather than those on the flats, wrffiii aipened too early and are generally poor. Wheat-growing.—Otahu, an early purchase under Lands for Settlement conditions, is coming out in a new character. Mr R. ■Pearee last year sowed a small quantity of wheat after turnips, and threshed about 35 bushels to the acre. He has this year grown a larger area, which has been in . stack a week, and which promises to do Sully- as well. Miss Darley has also tried a small paddock, which is now in steak. •Mr Morrah years ago told the then owner of Otahu that it would grow wheat if a igreen forage crop were grown and ploughed in. The extension of the railway to the /Waiau has made it worth while to-grow grain on Otahu, but not under 2s per ibuehel. When everything had to be carted to Otautau, a distance of more than 20 miles, gr&irtgrowing at any price was unpayable. The Waiau.—A part of this district is ibenefited by the ferry at Clifden. The ■ferry is a constant source of anxiety. The Hiver Waiau is at present very low, and some improvements are being made which rwill enable traffic to fee carried on. under any ordinary state of the river. The Government has voted a large ~sum of money for a bridge at Tuatapere in place of the iferry, on a pound for pound basis; The country west of the "Waiau is in reality a separate district, and has very little in common with the rest of the country. It comprises the country between the Waiau and Lake Hauroto and between - Lake Monowai and the sea. This country will shortly come into prominence on account of the amount of power in these and other iakes which is at present running .to waste. ;!There is a vast area of land fit for settlement in one form or another, some of it almost at the bridge head and of excellent quality. The timber is estimated to approach in value £IOO,O-00. Under these eircuanstanoee it seems most remarkable that the Government wishes to saddle the renhainder of the country, which has no more .tin common with the country west of the JWaiau . than has Southland Countv and' •{less than the Borough of InveroargiH, with this burden. In the meantime the ferry is cbstin.fr as much in upkeep as would pay the interest on the bridge, and great injoonvjenience is being felt by all who have to use it.

Concert.—A concert was held at Eastern, JBash on February 23 irr aid of the organ •fund of the Presbyterian Church. A large torgan has been purchased, and was opened Ithen for the first time. The missionary, 'Mr Faloener, was in the chair. Mr Fisher (grave a capital speech «n organs. Miss

Clapp accompanied songs by Mrs King, Misses Crow, Fisher, and Messrs Falconer, A. Clapp, and A. Millar, and gave a couple of songs herself. The Eastern Bush choir rendered two items, and were accompanied by Miss Fahey. Miss Swap gave a, viohni solo, accompanied by Miss Clapp; Miss Fisher and Mr Falconer gave recitations. Refreshments were provided by the ladies of the district. Votes of thanks were accorded to the ladies (who by constant endeavours had enabled a valuable instrument, costing over £3O, to be used as an aid to divine worship), to the performers, and to Mr Bradley for his assistance in setting the organ from Otautau to Eastern Bush. A party of Otautau friends was expected, but owing to an accident to the motor were prevented from leaving home. The harvest coming on so early did not prevent the hall being well filled, and the audience spent a most enjoyable evening. TAPAXIir. March 7.—The close of another harvest season is now in sight, and another week or so wih see the crops safely stacked and the bulk of the grain threshed. Last year harvest was just commencing at this time, but the exceptionally dry summer ripened the crops quickly; in addition to tnis, they were light generally, and did not take long to harvest. The threshing mills are now out, and with dry roads and fine weather will have a short run. The sample of grain handled is good, and all that is wanted is a little better price for oats. Wheat is at a payable figure, "but at Is 6d for oats growers* are inclined to hold for a rise. With reports of light crops and poor yields there should be every prospect for a better price later on. The heavy rain of a week ago has freshened up tho paddocks, and turnip crops are growing very rapidly. Grass, however, got a severe drying up, and feed for stock will not be too plentiful this fall.

Picnics. —The promoters of picnic gatherings this season have been specially fortunate in the matter of weather, and the various district gatherings have been '.veil attended. The round of picnics cliscd with the Tapanui High School annual gathering, held on the last Wednesday in February. There was a good turn-out of children, and a fair muster of parents and friends. The- afternoon was spent in sports events for the children, and the mothers provided an ample supply of cakes, etc. The Tapanui Brass. Band turnod out, and played selections during the afternoon. Although but recently formed, the band has made excellent progress, and its services are fully appreciated at public gatherings.

Presentations. —Quite a number of presentations have been made lately. Miss Wethey, who has acted a* organist at All Saints' Church, was the recipient of a valuable gold watch from the congregation. Miss Wethey leaves to engage in I>he nursing profession.-—Miss Mercer, who has been employed as dressmaker at Messrs Anderson and Co.'o store for some time past, was presented with a travelling rug on the eve of her marriage.—A gathering took place on Wedneday evening last at the residence of Mr and Mrs W R. Quin, who had that day returned from their honeymoon trip. Mr Quin has been a prominent member of the football and amateur athletic clubs, and the members of those bodies presented him with two handsome pieces of silverware, the presentation being suitably made by Mr P. Murney. The young people assembled were hospitably entertained, and spent a pleasant evening. Angling.—Fishermen are experiencing a " patchy " season: . The Pomahaka has been low throughout the season, and defiled with slime and weed. The fresh of a week ago improved matters, but last week the dredge above Kelso again started on the river, which is now " pea soup," and quite unfishable The Tapanui Anglers and Deerstalkers' Association held their annual open competition at Rangleburn on February 26, but a heavy downpour in tho early morning deterred a few of the competitors from starting. About nine fishermen' went out, and four of these found their stretches of water dirtied by the flood waters of mountain streams, which oame down very rapidly. Only three weighed in, and the result was:—P. Hay, 12 fish, weighing 121 b, 1 (gold medal, value £2 2s); W. W. Mackie, 13 fish, weighing 121 b 12oz, 2; A. Jolly. 12 fish, weighing 91b Boz, 3. Mr Mackie had the heaviest basket, but he had to concede the winner a 10 per cent, handicap, whilst he had to give Mr Jolly 25 per cent. Only loz separated second and third places. Should the river continue dirty there will be no Easter fishing, and altogether the season will have been one of the most unsatisfactory for some years. ©PI®. • February 28.—A good, steady rain on Friday night and mostly all day on Saturday has cleared the atmosphere and proved' a boon both to man and beast. The far-, mere were all looking serious about the long spell of dry weather we have had, and thought that ruin was staring them in the face. Nearly all tanks were empty, wells had very little water in them, springs were almost dry, and the creeks had ceased to run, so that what little water was in the latter .was hardly fit for household use. Some farmers were letting the mill go by them, because they had no water for the engine; and truly things did look serious. now-ever. the rain came at last, and very .welcome it was; but still it was hardly enough, the ground being so parched up. The general work just now is stacking, each one trying to save their crops from the ravages of wind and wet, should they come. Mills are kept busy, and since tha> strong winds have ceased are getting a good long day's work in. ■Concert. —I believe the young people of the district are endeavouring to get up' a •concent to (take jplaee some time next month, but whether it will really com© off or mot remains to be eeen. February 28.—" The driest summer I have seen, since I came to the country" was a jeremiad frequently heard lately from the lips of some of cur oldest settlers. Certainly it was a very dry harvest, many of the crops ripening before the grain had time to fill, but any that did the heat and wind will be garnered in in a good condition. We have, however, had decent showers of rain, the effects of which are already visible on the grass; and turnips. From now on until the beginning of winter there ought to be plenty of feed, for even if the rain is not plentiful there is gene-rally a h/9avy dew at nights. The middle of summer is becoming a season which will

' have to be provided for like the middle of 1 winter. I thoroughly believe it would pay < dairy-farmers to have a patch of green fodder for the use of their cows during the very dry part of the season. It would necessarily require to be something that would not adversely flavour the milk. I Anglican Church.—Last Sunday service was held in the Anglican Church, Riversdale, by the Primate (Bishop Nevill). It is • understood that one of the objects of the Primate's visit is to ascertain the practicability of forming a new parish out of Riversdale, Waikaia, Balfour, and Lumsden, which are now only part of the Winton parish. It is understood that the support tendered at Riversdale was very satisfactory to the object in view. I The Long Arm.—The wheels of the law move slowly, but they move remarkably sure, one might say, with just a little hesij tation. It is reported that the police have | a clue to the identity of a person who was responsible for a robbery committed in j Riversdale about this time last year. I

KNAPBALE. February 26.—The long-continued drought has at last ceased, and splendid rain has •fallen, which will do ine»stimable good to the grass paddocks and turnip crops. Prior to the cessation of drought the prospects of winter feed were anything but encouraging to pastoralists, and in consequence many were disposing of their surplus stock. Harvesting operations are in full swing, two threshing mills being occupied in this district at present. The sample, of grain appears to be up to the usual standard, but I understand the yield per acre is disappointing in the majority of cases. Some very fine crops of wheat haA r e been grown iocaily this season, Messrs Millar Bros, being specially successful in this line. Roads. —Needless to say the roads in the Knapdale district are in first class order, a large quantity of maintenance metal having been put down, while a considerable amount of grading and forming has been accomplished. Cricket.—On the 23rd ult a Second Grade team from Gore played a match with the local team, resulting in a. win for the former by the narrow margin of 1 run. In the evening a concert and dance was held in the hall in aid of the club's funds, and proved to be very enjoyable. Numerous items, which were well received by the audience, were contributed by Gore talent, while the dancing capacity of the building was Jully utilised.

OfTTRAII. March s.—The weather still continues warm. The rain last week was too warm to check the blight on the turnips, which in some paddocks is very bad. I do not think it will become much worse now, since the nights are becoming colder. Crops.—Farmers are still busy thseshing and leading in, and another fortnight should see all the crop in the stack or threshed. I do not hear of many large yields. Some paddocks have yielded as high as 60 bushels to the acre, and others again back to 30, which only makes a small average. Accident. —Messrs Hannah Bros. had rather an unfortunate runaway with their team last Wednesday. They were going to Mo&giel for timber, and when near Findlay's corner a motor car caused the team to turn round and bolt, breaking the pole connecting the fore and hind carriages. Fortunately Mr W. Hannah was • thrown clear, and, beyond a few bruises, escaped ■unhurt. The horses got as far as M'Kegg s when they were stopped bv two cyclist? Obituary-—I .egret to record the deaths of Mr Scott and Mr Taylor. Mr Scott, who was 70 years of age, leaves a widow and grown-up family of five daughters and four sons to mourn their loss. Mr Taylor, the victim of the railway fatality at Invercargill last week, was well known locally, having been brought up in. the district. General.—The Tennis Club is having a concert and dance on the 18th inst. The Football Club's annual meeting will be held on Thursdiay evening.

March s.—The season so far has been exceedingly dry, and the drought was beginning to tell very seriously on vegetation of all kinds. Las* Saturday, however, a .welcome fall of rain occurred, and did ' much to freshen up the brown patches -caused by the blazing sun, of the last few weeks. About an inch of ram fell, and the effect was almost magical on the turnips, vifoich required water badly. . , Harvest and After.—Threshing has proceeded- apace, and owing to the- dry weather much of the grain has been threshed out of the stook—indeed, only those who have to wait for the mill for an indefinite period are stacking. Another month should see most of that work over. Entertainment.—A very pleasant musical evening was spent in the Wood side Mission Hall on the evening of Tuesday feat- The entertainment was provided by the' Mosgiel Baptist Choir, which had iourncyed across the plain by drag, lne beautiful moonlight evening should have meant a large audience, but the busy harvest season kept away many who otherwise might have been free to attend. Th» choir, some 24 strong, was under the conductor-ship of Mr W. Robertson, and was supported by two cornets. A very well-arranged programme of so.os and anthems was gone through the solos and solo parts being taken by Mefidames Ings and Fawcett, Misses Mackie and Larsen, the Rev. F. H. Radford and Messrs Gilbert, Cullick, Fawcett, Freeman, and Young. The audience gave an expression of its gratitude for the musical treat by responding heartily to the call for a vo.e of thanks.

MACKENZIE COTTSTKY. March 4.—After a somewhat protracted spell of unfavourable dry weather a splendid rain has been experienced over all the lower reaches of plains and the drv southerly ranges, which had become extremely drv, so much so that a number of the few streams had become dry, and consequently water was very;:«carce, and travelling, especially with stocky,, an inconvenience. The recent rain has re-estab-lished the water supplies and set a good autumn growth. Surplus Stock.—The usual drafts of surplus stock have been moving off of late, and are, generally speaking, in very good condition. Practically all the wool has been carted out. The clips have been excellent, .and rarely has the wool come off in better condition than this season's. Following a very Satisfactory crop of lambs aild ultimately profitable prices for

store stock, this season can well be deemed ] very satisfactory to the pastoralists of the : interior. i

Personal.—Mr W. J. Black, a well-known contractor, who has been identified .of recent years with the improving of _ the Fairlie-Mount Cook roads, especially since the advent of the' motor car service to The Hermitage, has just joined the ranks' of the M'Kenzic runhoidcrs by entering into possession of the Tasman Run, succeeding Mr D. Chisholm.— The many friends of Mr J. Aitken, manager of the Wolds Station, will be glad to learn that he has made a good recovery from his recent serious illness.

Regrassing Country.—The limited area being enclosed by the officeix of the Agricultural Department for the avowed purpose of experimenting with the view of restoring the spent native pastures and how best to achieve the same—viz., by restoring surface sowing with native grass seeds or otherwise —gives, rise to a good bit of adverse comment, but time may effectually answer these. March 2.—A very pleasant little ceremony came Off in the Henley Schooihouse on the 28th February, the occasion being the giving of prizes to the children and saying farewell to the relieving schoolmaster (Mr Barton) and welcoming the new schoolmistress (Miss Drummey), from Eweburn. In the capable hands of Mr M'Doirald (school commissioner) everything passed off well. Advantage was taken of the occasion to present Mr Barton with a handsome barometer, and Mr Neil Black, who has been an assiduous worker for the school for years past, with a handsome pipe in case. Both responded in a happy manner. Thanks are due to the ladies who assisted the function by providing the necessary refreshments.

WAIKOVAIITiJ March. 3.—The annual meeting of the Domain Board was attended by Messrs R. Temp.leton, D. W. Malloch, A. Heckler, N. Stewart, and R. W. Fell. Mr R. Templeton was unanimously re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. The clerk presented a report reviewing the various improvements effected during the past year, and also dealing with the proposed operations for the current term. The balance sheet showed the total receipts for the year ending 31st December, 1909, to have been £213 12s lid, and the expenditure £133 lis sd, leaving a credit balance amounting to £BO Is 6d. The report and balance sheet were adopted. The action of the chairman in allowing the grass to be cut on the banks of the main channel was approved. The clerk was instructed to write thanking the Borough Council for permission to take clay from certain streets in the borough, and also to apply for the right to remove a quantity of soil for top-dressing purposes. The chairman was authorised to have some necessary repairs effected as eoon as possible. A special meeting of the board was held on Friday evening for the purpose of considering an application from the Bowling Club for a subsidy towards the cost of permanent improvements erected at the Bowling Green. Messrs J. FA' Hunter and Tbos. Reid appeared in support of the application, and submitted a statement showing that over £SO had been spent by the Bowling Club in permanent improvements on the Domain. They pointed out that the improvements referred to were fixtures, which could not now be claimed by the club, but, were the property of the board, and said that the club would be satisfied if half the original cost were allowed. After the matter had been fully discussed, a resolution was unanimously carried agreeing to subsidise the club pound for pound up to £25 on all improvements of a permanent character which had been erected.

The monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held on Monday, and attended bv the Deouty-Mavor (Mi- A. Heckler), and Crs Davis. M'Gill. Russell. Townsend. Va.n«s,jand S. R. Smith. A letter was read from the Valuer-general, Wellington, _ to the effect that authority had been given for the pavment of the balance of subsidy on rates due to the council for the year 1908-1909. A number of applications for repairs, etc., were referred to the Work 3 Committee to deal with. It was decided to invite applications for the position of office cleaner, and the Works Committee was asked to deal with the applications. The clerk reported that rates for the current ,vear, amounting- to a large sum, were still outstanding', and a resolution was carried authorising the addition of a penalty of 10 per cent, to all rates which are unpaid on the Ist Anril. 1910. The next council meeting whs fixed for Wednesdav, the 23yd hist., and it was agreed to revise the district electors' roll on that date. A resolution was carried exr>™*s*ing regret at the death of Mr -Tames Fell, a former town clerk of the borouarh. A verv sTtcccssfnl flower show, arranged by the local Pre*bvtorian Church workers, i'n aid of the school funds, was in the Publi" Hall on the 18th nit. Some mas-ni'Pvent sample' *v* flowers, fvuit. and vegetables were exhibited. _ and the in manv instances, had considerable' di'fficnltv in awarding + ho prizes. The proceeds amoainted to over £ll. The annual school nic™c was held at Tvaritane on Friday last. The weather was fino.. and "there was a good gathering of ehikVen" and others. A number of oil launches were cncra°-ed. the children spent most, of the day on the river. The teachers and several members of the school committee were in attendance.

(T.4VE CSontli March s.—The first 25 days of the month of February were all that, could be -wished for for harvest work an.'d for petting the unrirve grain in order n.nd drying the stocks that had been so' loner exposed to the weather. On the* 25th it started to rain at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and came down in torrents for about four hours-. This stopped harvest work for the time being, but the rain was a blessingfor the green crops were badly in need of moisture. The aphis had started to do its work in earnest .on the swede turnip leaves, and the grass was getting a coat of rust on it that needed washing off badly. We have the diamond-back moth with us this season on the turnip leaves, and the blight is on the potatoes, so we have lots of small matters to think about, but we have plenty of feed for the winter, which will help to keep us from the grim loon want.

Stock Sales.—On the 18th of February, at the Cave Saleyards, a sale of eheep. cattle, and: pigs was held." About 3000

sheep antfl a few pigs were penned, an<? every lot was sold, a complete clearance being' made. On the '4th of March a special sale was held at the Cave Saleyards. There was a yarding of fully 6000 sheep, the tyjjk of which was store and forward lambs. There was not a large entry of fat lambs, but what was yarded met with a good sale. Store lambs were slightly easier. Prices were as follow:—Prime lambs, 13s 3d, 14s sd, to 15s; forward lambs, 10s 3d, 10s sd, lis to ,12s 8d; store lambs, 4s lOd to 7s 3d; four and six-tooth wethers, 109 8d; half bred wethers, 10a 2d; six and eight-tooth ewes, 14s 8d; 'full-mouthed ewes, 8s Id; aged ewes, 4s to 6s; nerino ewes, 2s 6d. Death.—l regret to have to record the death of Mr Foster, head master of the Cave School. He came to the district some four years ago. For the past 12 months he has had very indifferent health, but he bore his trouble with great patience.' He was of a cheerful disposition, a man of great probity, and had a kind word for those in sickness. He made many friends since he came to the Cave, and! I am sure I am right in saying he had l ' no enemy. He was always ready to. render any assistance in his power. He died at 5 o'clock on March 5, leaving a wife and family to mourn their loss. Markets.—The farmers are getting, something like 3s lOd for good samples of wheat, and sprouted wheat is worth about 3s delivered. Oats are worth from Is 9d to Is 6d ir Timaru.

Farm Work.—Ploughing is going ahead' in all directions. Some intend growing green feed, some are going to try wheat again, and some are preparing foi the turnip crop next year. Those who have threshed their grain are carting it to the railway station to send it to Timaru. In my travels I see a fair number of stooks out yet. The oats that were out in the early ,'rains of January are very black, and a good deal of it got in such a condition that the seed left ;he straw. The dun, Garton, and the Bosbery oats were all less or more damaged in. this way. The Danish oat stood the weather much better than any of the first-mentioneicr three varieties.

Threshing Mill Hands. —There is trouble with the threshing mill hands. As crops are not turning out well and the millowners are not able to keep their mill hands for any length of time the millowners resort to a system of hourly contract with the small farmer at the rate of 27s 6d per hour from the time the hands laid down their tents at the farmer's place till they left—that is to say, while they were or the move shifting and threshing. In the ease of a farmer with a few thousand bushels they take them at the award price. In bygone days there was no trouble, but now a new worker has come on the scene, and the •'armors will have to take into .account how far the new conditions of the worker will suit the economically working farmer on his farm.