WAIWERA.

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

WAIWERA.

February 18.—The weather on the whole for some time has l>een very favourable for general operations on the farm, the grass seed harvest and thrashing being practically finished, with good results, both in quantity a.nd quality. The grain harvest is now in full swing. The crops are very varied—some very heavy indeed, as I before predicted. Mr Ben-net, who is on pretty high country, has a really splendid crop. I have heard of several others equally good. I.notice, particularly in the late crops; that there is some rust and smut, which will, of course, take something off the value of it. So far I have heard of no crops, either of wheat or oats, being damaged by frost, as is reported from name parts. The turnip- and rape crops are very patchy indeed. Some splendid crops may be seen, while others, although they have been twice, sown, are almost a failure. Such is the farmer's lot—full of uncertainties and disappointments. Roads.—Mr Christie, the new member for the Ritcherson Riding, has already made his presence felt, so to speak, in this end of the riding by having a good deal of metal placed on the reads leading from Mr Robertson's property towards the township. Some of it, no dot-bt, Was much needed, especially on the clay portion of the road. Whether the rest is justifiable or not is questionable, seeing that there are so many places mere quagmires in winter. If some other member or members would take a trip around in winter-time and see what some settlers have to put, up with, perhaps they, too, would take pity 01 the long-suffering ones and come to their relief by doing at least a little for them. Seeing the engineer is to get a five-seater motor car to take him around, we naturally presume there is now plenty of money at the county's disposal. If I remember rightly, some time ago one of our members told me he considered a motor car did more damage to the roads than did a traction engine; so if that is the case, our engineer and outfit must be a very costly affair, especially in these strenuous times, when economy is bein;:' preached to us on every hand. I hear that in many oases it is the other fellow who must practise economy. . _