WOMONA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 23

WOMONA.

September B.—"We have experienced beautiful weather during; the week, and) the ground is again drying nicely. It will, however, be some little time yet before the teams will l>e <at work, excepting, perhaps, in isolated instances where the land has not been eub-

merged. Most farmers in this locality had intended sowing an increased area in wheat, but the unfavourable climatic conditions have made this impossible, and probably, in a good many cases, ground which was originally intended for wheat will be sown in oals. Certainly work is very backward indeed. In looking over my journal I find that -at this time last year we were in the midst of potato-planting, whereas this year nothing has yet been done with our potato land beyond the first ploughing in early winter. Probably October will be well advanced before we get our potatoes planted this season.

Dairying.—'The milk supply is rapidly increasing, and from Monday next the factory will run daily. Everything in connection with the factory is running smoothly, audi the prospects for a good season are exceedingly bright. Military Service.—The recent la.rge ballot oleaned our district right out. All the First Division men in Momona, have now been drawn. Occasionally there is a lad coming of military age, but in most instances he enlists voluntarily. Momona men drawn in the last ballot were:—William Brunner, Richaad Bruce, Peter Dow, and Hugh Barlow. Peter Dow, who has jus; undergone a serious operation, has had his medioal examination deferred for some months. The other men were turned down. Richard Bruce had previously enlisted and been rejected.

Valedictory.—East Thursday evening Trooper Alec Bruce, who is home on final leave, was entertained at a farewell social in the Momona Hall, and presented with a very handsome case of pipes. Mr Arthur Amos presided, and there was a very large attendance. A very enjoyable concert programme was gone through, to which the following ladles and gentlemen contributed items:—Misises Swan and Etmiley (Mosgiel), vocal solos; Mrs J. A. Bruce and Messrs J. A. Bruce and P. Bathgate, instrumental trio; Messrs Armstrong (Mosgiel), Paterson (Mosgiel), James Bathgate, and George Ford. The accompaniments were played by Mrs J. A. Bruce and Miss Swan. Dancing was indulged in for some time to music supplied by Messrs Irvine and Son. Mr A. M'Hattie acted as M.C.. Trooper Alec Bruce enlisted voluntarily immediately on attaining his twentieth birthday.