OTAKOU.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 35

OTAKOU.

October 2. —At last the long-looked-for rain has come, and if little, is lias been very welcome indeed, for pastures wore getting very dry. Most farmers took the opportunity to got their oats into tho ground, and, given a normal season, the dairying industry should do fairly well this summer. Potatoes have been planted more freely this season than is usually tho case in this district. The cause may be that high prices are expected for next crop. Roads. —Tho Otago Hoads Road Board has some big work on hand, and some excitement was caused some time ago when tho stone crusher appeared at tho Kaik, behind the first traction engine that has reached this far. The hoard is crushing about 1000 yards of metal, and alt our roads are undergoing a thorough covering of goc|d blues tone metal. When tho new metal is well worn down, the roads should he in good condition, indeed; but wo would > be very grateful if the board would pay a little attention to (he roads off the main road. War.— Wg are having the war and its effects brought very near to ,us lately. There have been several casualties to some of the boys well known to all of us here j

but the severest blow for our little coni* inanity came tho other day, when Mj> Joseph Ivaretai received word that iris son Stewart had been killed in action at tho Dardanelles. Stewart Kavctai was the greatgrandson of Kavctai, one of the rcpreseiV tativo chiefs who signed tho Treaty of Wai< tangi. The young man was well loved bit everybody, both pakeha and Maori, and lhs. news of Jus death caused widespread sorrovf' in rhis district, and there is general .empathy with tho grief of the parents a.icj sisters and younger brothers. .Stewart waa the elder son: there is a younger brother at Gallipoli still, and wo all hope he may bo alive and well, and that, for his people s sake, ho may return from tho war safe and sound.