TUTURAU.

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 23

TUTURAU.

February 18.—The weather throughout January was good, with plenty of rain to keep the ground moist, and we had the growth that we should haye had in December. .For the first fortnight of February tht» weather was vfery close, and growth was very great; but on the 13th a NVW. gale sprang up early in the morning and oontinued, with a hot eun, till late afternoon, doing great damage, to crops and fruit trees. Some farmers had already cut their crops; but the main portion has yet to be cut. Gutting will be general now if the weather is fine. The gardens suffered with the wind al*o, and ns it was the morning of the flower show, the blow was all the more annoying, and many fine blooms were lost. A nice refreshing rain fell the next day, coming in clouds of fine rain till 11 a.m. The weather continues warm, and high winds blew all day Saturday from the north-east, but were not cold, though very tiresome, and next day was calm and sunny again, so that harvesting will go steadily forward. Blight.—Potato blight is here again, juid fine-looking crops ave now withering. The early-planted are well macuved, and it looks aa though we will need to plant crops down here earlier than in former years, as for the last three seasons only early-sown crops have maturod well. "Winter Feed.—Turnip crops are not such a failure as we feared, the rain in January saving many of them. Comforts for Soldiers.—The ladies of the district called a meeting last Monday, 10 laflies attending to form a branch to "pack comforts for our own district soldiers. Formerly we sent our money and parcels to Mntaura, Gore, and Wyndham, but it is now proposed to have this branch to help our own. Mrs. J. Muir was eleeted president, Mrs M'l/achlan secretary, and Mr E-. Dickie treasurer. Another meeting will be held this Week to make final arrangements.—The first of oiir married men goes into camp now. Mr J. Muir was married before the war broke out. He has a- comfortable and happy homo and a good farm, which he farmed well. His parents, living near by, have just celebrated their golden wedding, and we regret the need of such men to go who are builders of the district and country, but are sure" he will give a good account of himself. Flower Show. —The Tutnrau school children gained two first, prizes and one second at the Mataura Flower Show for vogetable collection and flowers. One prize entitles them to 10s worth of seeds from Burrows Bros, nurserymen, and will be a great help •to them for next year. The children take a keen interest in their garden, and they sell plants to help to pay their expensos. Several of the scholars also gained prizes at the show in the industrial section, and ,aa they have to compete with High School scholars up to nearly 17 years, it is very creditable.