POPOTUNOA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 23

POPOTUNOA.

Febamxary 25.—The weather lately has been very dry, and sometimes the heat has been quite tropical, but there are signs of rain, though the glass is very slow in moving back. The Farm.—Mr Millar, with his thrashing plant, has been round, and the grass seed is now in the bag, whilst some of the farmers who had autumn oats here got that thrashed also. Spring-sown oats are now being cut, and potatoes seem to be all blackened down. Whether it is blight or frost I do not know, but there is no sign of disease amongst the tubers, though there is a little second growth. Soon the plough will be at work again. Some farmers are using the three-furrow plough and six horses. I was speaking to a local farmer the other day about light tractors, which are being built in America for ploughing, and he said: "I am going to get one." Science has made such strides lately that we need be surprised at nothing. A friend of mine in the Old Country speaks of spending) a week-end with me by aeroplane. That will, no doubt,' be quite feasible in time. Soldiers' Comforts. —Last Friday Mts Luke and some lady friends were busy at the Wairuna Schoolhouse making up parcels to be sent to the boys at Heme who belong to this district. I can quite understand the joy that must well up in their hearts when they get a parcel from Clinton; and l Mrs Luke has already received) some letters of thanks from thorn. It will give them added strength and courage to follow up when the kick-off takes place in the last quarter of the great game. Presbyterian Church. —The Rav. Mr Mason is away on holiday, and the Eev. Mr "Williams, of "Waiwera, officiated yesterday, and preached a most helpful sermon, aptly suited to our present circumstances. Next Sunday the pulpit will be occupied by the Rev. Mr Axelsen, of the Orphanages in Dunedin, and I look forward) to an interesting discourse. I was glad to see a considerable increase in the attendance this last Sunday, and the chairs in the choir are filling up.