WAIWERA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3382, 8 January 1919, Page 23

WAIWERA.

January 4.—The chief matter of importance to the farming community just now is th© »ta.te of the weather, which at the time of writing is anything but favourable for our present requirements. High winda and storms being general, it is a real battle to geit in the turnips, as well as being unable to go on with the shearing, both operations being already delayed some weeks, with anything but good prospect© in the near future. I fear, too, that our winter feed outlook is hot too bright. ■ In so much broken weather there is the-risk, too, of rushing the turnips in while the land! is in an unfit state .for the seed. Indeed the weather we have been getting for. months past will tax the bestskilled farmers to make a real success of tho crop. In the meantime we can only do our best and hope for good results. The oat crops, as far as my observations go, will be fair —some good, some not so good. The winter-sown crops, I should say, will bs generally much lighter than the spring-sown. This is not to be '-wondered at seeing the season wo have passed through. Wool Clip.—Shearing operations have been, and still are, a lamentable toil, the general order being a few days' work and so many weeks off. It will be a little short of a miracle if the clips are secured in good order.

The New Year.—The year just passed through will be a memorable one in many ways, not likely to for many a long day. "What with the fearful epidemic, hurricanes and storms, and the results therefrom, although we have the satisfaction of beating our brutal enemies, we have not been able to enjoy our Christmas and New Year festivities as we used to do bsfore the war. There seems with all our efforts to be a depressed feeling and great vacancies in our midst that will take a long time to fill. It is to be hoped, too, that those who have been given power over others will use it wisely and not oppress the weak. This may hi* applied to all officials, even in New Zealand. Let bluster and domineering be buried with the past, and all pull together to make a future that all can enjoy a portion. Personal. —I understand "that Mr Stevens has resigned his position v at the Fish Hatchery he has so ably filled for so long. I am sure that wherever he goes he will carry with him the good wishes of all his friends for his future welfare and that of his family. "Mr Stevens has been very zealous in patriotic movements, besides filling other public positions with credit. May their future be a successful and happy one.