BALCLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 23

BALCLUTHA.

February H.—Fanaexa who hav* been praying for rnin during a lengthy tir/ spell have now had their prayers answered. Alter several sultry days of oppressive heat, rain commenced to fall on Saturdt-iy, but a steady fall did not set in till yesterday (Suadny). The heat yesterday was very great, and the sky had a thunderous aspect. The Farms.—Th-« whole countryside has a prosperous appearance, and crops are well up to the average. Farmers who toured the country last week-end noticed a considerable difference between the crops of Clutha and those growing in the Tapanui and Moa Flat districts. But all districts are not adapted lor grain-growing, and the advantage that Tapanui reaps in this respect is lessened by the fertility of the Clutha soil for other uses. Weekly Sale.—" Last year, after much agitation, it was decided to inaugurate a local weekly in lieu of the present fortnightly one. The weekly sale was to start in February, but owing to the present yardinßß being only moderate, it has been, decided to postpone the weekly auction till later on in the season. Freezing Works-.—The South Otago Freezing Company (I/tdU has oorainonced the 1913 season, but so far there has been nothing unusual in the killings, Whether or not the works will employ the services of Australian butchers ia not known, but there has been

considerable agitation against their employment by New Zealand workers m the Norcu Island. Last season the local works had nearly a full board of Australians. Early Settlers' Association.—The annual meeting of the Clutha-Bruoe Society was held last week, and fairly well attended by members. It was decided to hold the annual picnio, in accordance with the usual oustora, on the 22nd of this month. These gatherings are held alternately at Balclutha and Milton, but last year the residents of the latter centre did not have their function. The picnic at Balclutha will be held on the local A. and P. Society's grounds, but the concert usually held in the evening will be dropped this year. Farmers' Union Tour.—The local Farmers Union is always to the forefront in discussing topical subjects, and at the present time it has revived interest in the forestry question. With the objeot of increasing their practical knowledge in this direction and gaining an idtea of the running of • a State forestry, several members of the local branch of the union decided to pay a visit to the Tapanui State Nursery, and continue the trip to Roxburgh, returning via "Lawrence. The tour- was carried out last week-end; and those _who participated in it Jiad a most enjoyable spin. The weather was ideal, and no serious breakdown occurred. The farmers were very much impressed with the work carried out by Mr Robertson at the Tapanui plantations, and added considerably to their store of knowledge through the visit. The Moa Flat Downs Estate was visited, and also several of the fruit farms along the Ettrick flats. The potentialities of the Central Otago country 'as a fruit-growing centre were favourably commented on by the visitors. Calif ornian Thistles.—Stock Department officials and farmers have buried the hatchet over the noxious weeds question, which has roused considerable - ill-feeling among militant factions of the community for some time past. An agreement has been reached with the Secretary of Agriculture (Mr Pope) that, is farmers do their bast to destroy the weeds, then the department will do its best to prevent prosecutions?" An amusing little incident occurred when the members of the Farmers' Union were traversing the Tapanui flats during their tour. A farmer was busily engaged near the -roadline in cutting the thistles with a scythe. "You needn't cut them,, old man," sang out one of the occupants of the car. But cars are noisy—and how was the farmer to know that the speaker was not an ambitious weeds inspector looking for a favourable opportunity for a prosecution !