WAIWERA

Otago Witness, Issue 3033, 1 May 1912, Page 35

WAIWERA

April 29.—The 1912 harvest is not likely to be forgotten for a long time. It has been a great struggle from the commencement of the grass-cutting, and is likely to continue to be so for some time yet, as there are still many acres of splendid crops to be gathered in. The weather at present is very wot and boisterous, heavy showers of rain and high winds being the chief features. Wo also had a slight coating of snow on the hill-tops last week, so that, with the paddocks drenched and sloppy, the prospects for the Inter crops being gathered are anything but bright. Good grain and chaff seem to be commanding fair prices here. Clinton Sales.—At the Clinton sales sheep particularly sold well, and I have before stated that these sales are noted for good prices, owing, I suppose, to the greater paid; of the stock sold being genuine farmers' lots, and not being subjected to so much knocking about as is often the case with dealers’ lots before being offered. In order to keep, up their good reputation the powers that be would do well to erect some sort of shelter and other conveniences for the public who attend regularly. On a stormy day the yards are in a fearfullyexposed place, without the least bit of shelter except the burs of the sheep or cattle pens. I have many times hoard' complaints, and our friends should kindly take the hint. Turnips.—From what I can gather I don’t think the turnip crop will bo nearly so good on the whole as we have had for some seasons. The tops are fresh, but the

bulbs are not what they should' be, consequently there will not be any too much winter feed. I think, too, there will be far less winter-sown crop this season on account of the wet season. So much extra time being taken up by the harvest operations has kept everything else in the backgrounds.

New Oats. —l notice we are getting introduced into our district many new varieties of oats from time to time. Mr James Wallace lately showed mo two splendid samples which he has just procured at a very high figure for experimental purposes. Should they prove anything like the sample it should prove a good speck. I also saw a ~ood sample of Mr Broad’s oats threshed this season—sparrowbills, grown on his new farm, at something over 70 bushels per acre. This is not a bad return at 2s per bushel. Some people thought Mr Broad went astray whop he purchased this property. For myself, I did not feel alarmed about him. Progressive Settlers. —We can always depend on getting good news from our Taumata friends. They are certainly a progressive lot of settlers, besides being right i— to date with their farming. They also insist in their young people getting a fair amount of enjoyment. I had the pleasure of being shown two splendid stag's’ beans, one a royal and the other a 26-pointer—-certainly a fine specimen,—which are to be mounted’ in the best possible way and kent as trophies. The animals were shot on the Blue Mountains by Mr Wm. Miller, jun. They were rather difficult to get, but were in fine condition, as were many others seen. Besides being great sports, the Messrs Miller are also enthusiastic soldiers of the King. The Messrs Miller spent several days among the deer, and after a most enjoyable trip returned with several others who went to meet them and complete the trip by a most enjoyable picnic. Added to (his, I may state i have been informed that Mr David Miller, if not the best rifle shot in the South Island, is among the best, as can be seen by the \ olunteer records. Success to our young friends, say I. Mr J. Johnston, of the same district, suggests that it would be an admirable thing for the young soldiers to be taken away among the deer once a year for rifle practice, which, he considers, would l be much better for them than continuallv firing at a target, and getting them used to all sorts of country. General Godlcy may take this to heart: the idea seems to me to be a good one.