THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3376, 27 November 1918, Page 23

THE COUNTRY.

gST Correspondents are reminded that all letter* for the oarrent week's issue must reach Dunedin NOT LATEK THAN MONDAI NIGHT. Letters ooming to hand on Tuesday are too late, find are thus a week old when they appear.

LAKE COUNTY. November 23. —So far the influenza epidemic is not serious in this district. There are several cases in Queenstown, but not of a severe nature. Arrowtown has, so far, escaped the epidemic. The local authorities in both towns, recognising the seriousness of the epidemic, are taking every precaution to minimise the risk of a serious outbreak. All the publio buildings and streets have been thoroughly disinfected, rubbish heaps removed, and a general cleaning up undertaken. The schools and churches are all closed. Death.—General regret was expressed ■when news was received in. Arrowtown on Thursday of the death of Mrs Cotter, wife of Mr J. J. Cotter, Winchester, South Canterbury. Deceased, who was 40 years of age, was a native of Macetown, being a daughter of the late Mr John Clayton, Macetown, and Mrs Clayton, South Dunedin. During her residence in this district the late Mrs Cotter was held in the highest esteem by all who knew her. It is understood that the cause of death was the prevailing influenza epidemic. Deceased is survived by her husband' and one daughter. TABLE HILL. November 23. —¥e have had three days of rejoicings;— oner for the armistice with Turkey, one for Austria, and one for the German armistice. Some from _ our district ■went to join the Milton rejoicings, while tho3e at home hoisted the school flag, lit a bonfire, and sang " God save our King." Roll of Honour.—Among the boys who went from this district one has made the Supreme sacrifice, while another haa received the D.C.M. We wish all survivors a safe journey home. Weather. —The weather has been very unsettled lately, and has hindered the farmers with, the shearing; but we hope for better weather now that summer has come. Influenza.—The school is closed at present owing to the influenza epidemic, _ but none-of the school children have taken it so far. We have no permanent teacher now, as our last one went to Dunback. Miss Phillipps, a relieving teacher, is here at present. Changes.—Another farm has changed hands, Mr D. W. Thompson having sold his farm to a Mr M'Ewan, from Glenham.— Mrs C. Mills and family have gone to Ohristchurch to start a business. We wish her success in her new enterprise. Fruit. —I notice in the gardens there is promise of an abundance of small fruit this year, and the larger fruit trees look very promising also. CORE. November 25. —Growth in the country districts isi still very backward, but with a spell of fine weather the grass and root crops should not be long in ooming away. This spring is one of the most unsatisfactory from a farmer's point of view that has been experienced for many years. Influenza Epidemic.—The mysterious hand of death that has visited all parts of New Zealand in the shape of the present epidemic of influenza and pneumonia has taken toll in this district. Over .a dozen deaths have occurred in and around Gore; but besides the fatal cases, the number of people suffering from the malady in a more or less severe form is well over 50 per cent, of the population. All possible steps have been, taken to combat. the scourge of the disease, and citizens have organised various committees * to alleviate conditions. An inhalation chamber is in operation at the Town Jttall, and it is a noticeable fact that those making use of this preventive measure appear to be less prone to contract the " flue." The Gore Racing Club's pavilion has been converted) into a temporary hospital. Approximately 60 patients have been admitted, and the' nurses are doing yeoman service in attending to the wants of the suffering. Many of these cases are of severe pneumonic type, and death has followed in some instances l , yet, considering the total at the hospital, the mortality rate is small. Business premises in the town close at an early hour to allow of the employees making use of the best preventive of all—the open air. The principal streets are thoroughly disinfected, all publio mostings have been suspended, and church services postponed. The only business at present doing a thriving trade is that of the chemist, and in some instances, the undertaker. WAIKAIA. November 23.—Changeable weather has been experienced with westerly winds and some very heavy showers or rain. On sunny days we have had keen frosts early in the morning. The Influenza. —Many are suffering from influenza in the district around, but most ore recovering now. On Thursday morning, 21st inst., Mrs Hain, wife of Rev. W. Hain, died at the manse from influenza. She had not been in good health for some time. Mrs Hain wa3 buried in the Gore Cemetery yesterday afternoon. The funeral was a private one. The Revs. W. W. Brown and G. Hercus officiated at the grave. Bev. W. Evans (Mr Ham's son-in-law), North Dunedin, was among those present. Much sympathy is felt for Mr Hain in his sad bereavement. MOMONA. December 23. —Immediately after writing my last notes the weather, which had been remarkably fine and dry, underwent a complete change, and rain has fallen intermittently throughout the week. At tho moment of writing the sky is clear, and a rising barometer gives promise of a period of more settled weather. Tho Farm. —The copious rainfall which we have experienced during this week has been of inestimable value to the farming community. The ground has now been thoroughly saturated, and if a period of warmth follows, cereal crops should make rapid progress. Mangolds and turnips should also braird quickly, provided the seed is not of inferior quality. Our experience has been somewhat unfortunate in that respect thia season. Out of a fairly large quantity of mangold seed purchased at a high price the percentage of seed which germinated has been practically nil. We have been obliged to harrow out the mangolds and resow with turnip seed. Provided the season is suitable for turnips, the loss will not be great; but there is an element of risk in relying solely upon turnips for winter feed, and we generally pre*3r to have a few acres of mangolds in case of emergency. There should be a great f owtb of grass after the recent heavy j lains, and farmers who have been ruefully , purveying their somewhat bare pasturages

should now have their anxiety allayed. The work of preparing the ground for the turnip crop has been greatily facilitated by the rain, and little difficulty will now be experienced in working it down to a fine tilth.

The Influenza Epidemic—There have been a number of fresh cases of influenza during the week, but the disease is appearing in a mild form only, and there are very few serious cases.

TUTURAU. November 18.—The first week of November was one long to be remembered as the severest for many years. We had rain, hail, and snow, and terrible gales of wind. Friday, the Bth, was the worst; it was bitterly cold. Snow fell heavily overnight, but fortunately did' not lie long. On Sunday a hot wind soon dried up the country; and the temperature rose SCkleg from Friday evening. Lovely weather has continued till today, when we are having an east rain, but not severe. There is very little feed yet for stock. The grass is growing very slowly, and the oat crops are only above ground. We have not had any frost, as many other districts complained of, and early potatoes are looking well. The severe winds damaged the gardens, and fruit trees were stripped of leaves. With the lack of warmth and destruction by email birds the vegetable garden is very backward, but will do better now the weather has improved. Stock never had a worse time owing to the shortness of feed and such long-continued wet and cold. Many that pulled through the winter have been unable to weather the sever© spring. Peace.—There was great rejoicing here over the- signing of the armistice with Germany. The school children have had several holidays, and on Friday last when the news came the children marched with flags along the road, singing and beating the "silver" can, in spite of hail and rain and the bitterly cold wind. Again on Tuesday morning, when the news was confirmed, a half-holiday was granted and also one all day on Wednesday. A picnic was held on Wednesday, and a large number of children and their parents gathered in Mr J. Humphries's paddock, which is sheltered by the bush. The day was glorious, and a most enjoyable time was spent by old and young. Mr W. Muir addressed the gathering after lunch, and the Rev. W. W. Brown also gave a short address. Mr M'Lachlan, Mr M'Gibbon, and the school giris contributed songs. Private Perkins was presented with a gold medal, which was pinned on by Miss A. M'Lachlan. Private Perkins thanked the company for the gift. - Races were run by the children till tea time, money prizes being awarded.. Mr T. _ Glover gave several bagpipe selections during the day. The dairy factory and the post and telephone office were closed for the day so that all might enjoy the holiday. The milk was separated at home for that day. Influenza. —Last week there were three cases of influenza in the district. The school has been closed for a time. There are now over 40 pupils, and an assistant is expected next year. The latter part of this year the work has been very trying to one teacher; and, judging by the number of small children at the picnic, the school will be well filled for some years. Standard VI girls presented their classmate Dorothy Gait with a pretty silver brooch and bottle of scent on her leaving school, she having passed her examination (by special arrangement a month ago). P.W.M.U.—The ladies of the P.W.M.D". held their last meeting for this season on November 6, the minister presiding. The funds in hand were divided, £X 5s to go to each of the following missions:—Canton Villages, China; Punjab, India; and New Hebrides.

Roll of Honour.—On Wednesday, November 6, Mr W. Dickie, Mr M'Lachlan, and Mr D. Muir visited Mr J. Neil, and presented to the family the gold medal to have been given to their brother, the late Private B. Neil, killed in action recently. Mr Dickie remarked that it was hard to fall fighting others' battles, the young man being one of our quiet lads. But it was to these we owe our freedom. All honour to our hero lads!

KUROW NOTES. KUROW, November 22. This district has just experienced a muchneeded rain. Things were beginning to look serious when the rain commenced last Saturday. It has rained almost continuously for the last four days; and from now on there should be abundance of grass. On November 20 the committee of the Kurow-Hakataramea Library mot in the library, Kurow, the Rev. John Craig prosiding. The secretary (Miss C. Sinclair), who has received the appointment at Highcliff School, near Dunedin, handed in her resignation, which was accepted with regret, and it was agreed to place on record appreciation of the services Miss Sinclair had rendered to the library. _ As a small token of appreciation, Mi- Craig, on behalf of the handed Miss Sinclair a sum of money with which to purchase a suitable memento, and in doing so wished her every success in her new sphere. Mvs H. M'Gregor was appointed secretary and librarian. On account of the influenza epidemic, on the motion of Mr D. Harfcstonge, it was decided to close the library until further notice. Before the _ library is reopened all books will be called in and the building will be thoroughlv fumigated.