AURIPO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 39

AURIPO.

October 14.—We have now reached oho third month of spring - , but evidences of growth around the district are for the most part very meagre. A forward move■merit has, however, commenced, and with the advent of warm weather and some moisture grass and grain -crops will receive a timely impetus. Last month was eliaracterised by fine weather, but somewhat dull and cold, save perhaps the last week, when a. light sprinkling of snow' - spread over the district and gave things a further set-back. These sudden changes at this, the lambing, season are often very disastrous; but, hap-** pily, on this occasion no severe losses have been reported. A noticeable feature is the absence of violent and high winds, which are usually much in evidence in September. To the farmer and outdoor worker this condition has been quite a boon, and many appreciative expressions have lately been exchanged in consequence. Still pursuing a dry, but even tenor, no change came till to-day, when at early morningsnow again began to fall, and at 9 a.in. tile ground was again temporarily covered. Having ceased, a thaw quickly set in, and lambs, fortunately, have net suffered to any extent. The sky is still overcast and threatening, with a cold, piercing wind blowing. Farm Work. —Grain-sowing is now aknpst finished, and farmers are turning their attention to preparing the land for root crops and other green fodder. Mangolds will receive some attention, experience having shown that those roots resist blight and do bettor in a dry spell than turnips or rape, whilst sheep, cattle, and even poultry appear to thrive and give preference to them. Messrs Armstrong Bros.’ chaffoutting plant has again been round the district, and this operation is now almost finished for the season. A very successful run has been made, and I am informed that results are satisfactory, alike to the owners and farmers. Quite a revolution has been accomplished in the present-day system of cutting chaff over that obtaining in former years, when the portable engine, and even horse-power, was requisitioned for this purpose. Instead of a wasteful and costly process, a transformation has been effected in that the work is now performed at a minimum cost with practically no waste.

Conveniences' Denied.—A petition—the third of its kind—has again been going around the district directed to the Minister of RaJways (the Hon. J. A. Millar) prayinar for the erection of trucking yards and a loading bank for the purpose of facilitating the handling of sfceck and heavy loading at this fetation. As heretofore, the Minister replied that be must get a , report. '.Che inference is at once apparent and unjust, inasmuch as he has aheady 'shown that no vote will bo authorised until traffic returns w : arrant the expenditure. This is perfectly ridiculous, as it is well 'known that many settlers would avail themselves of the benefits this station offers them were the ordinary facilities installed for their use. To illustrate the disabilities that are likely to be met, I will quote an 'instance that recently happened. A settler of this district got a brood mare of some value railed There being no telephone to apprise the owner of her coming, and no means of unloading her here, she was accordingly shunted off at another station and allowed to remain in the box throughout the night and part of the day following. The question arises, Had this happened in severe weather the consequences might have been fatal, and I should like to know who would be responsible—the Railway Department or the farmer? .