POMAHAKA DOWNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 35

POMAHAKA DOWNS.

Juno 7.—During iho early part of last week wo had very heavy fog* but on Friday the sun came out and shone brilliantly, whilst on Saturday night and Sunday morning wo had the hardest frost as yet* experienced.

The Farm.—Teams are now turning over the soil in preparation for next year's crops; but 1 have not seen or heard of any autumnsown grain in this district. The turnip crop is being consumed at a great rate, and the bulbs do not afford a great amount of eating-. _ Fat sheep, which ought to be in the freezing chamber, have to remain feeding: but they will be got away this month, we hope. Mr Trussler's mill and chaffcuttor have been busy, and grain-carting is also going on. Charges.—Mr W. Herbert, owing to advancing years, lias decided to give up farming. and Ids sale is advertised. I hear also that Mr Evskine has sold his farm as a going concern. Mr Erskine was one of the original settlers. Signs of the Times. —I hear that Mr Clarke, of W airuna, is going to have a private telephone wiro laid on to his place, connecting with the telephone at the school. —Mr Black has bad a- concrete sheep dip erected close, to his house, which will be very useful to farmers in the neighbourhood who have not got such a thing. Then I bear that motor cars are coming into the district —in fact, Mr Gorman has already got one.

Railway Extension.—Last Thursday week a meeting was to be held in Clinton to discuss a now railway scheme branching oif from Clinton. As 1 was unable to bo present, I do not know what took place, but I understand it was intended to follow 'up

a deputation to the Government a few years ago requesting a branch line from Clint ; through Wairuna, Pomahaka Downs. Clyd - vale, up to Tuapeka Mouth. If Such a in? were formed it would bo found to pay well, as it would run right through a large agricultural district. Church Matters.—Yesterday week a harvest thanksgiving service was held in Wairuna Church. During the week previous Mrs Luke and Mrs George Brown drove round among the farms soliciting gifts of farm produce, and on the Sunday they had a table well laden with a great variety of articles, which were afterwards to he handed to the orphanage. The Rev. Mr MascTir preached a very appropriate sermon. Yesterday, which was appointed as a day of intercession for the war, he preached very feelingly from I Timothy, second chapter, and eighth verse.