THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 27

THE COUNTRY.

gST Correspondents are reminded that all letter* lor the current week's issue must reaoh Duneiln NOT LATER THAN MONDAY NIGHT. Letterai coming to hand on Tuesday are too late, and'are thus a week old when they appear.

MANDEVILLE. January 11.—The weather is causing most concern just now amongst the vast majority of people in Southland, especially the farming community. Although it would not be right to say that it is raining all the time, it is fairly safe to say that it has rained every day for some weeks, and from present appearances means to continue, as the clouds seem heavily laden with moisture ready to fall at any moment. The result of this almost continuous rainfall is becoming quite disastrous. The land has become sodden, and pools of water are lying everywhere. The cereal crops, which promised so 'well earlier in the season, are not maintaining their vigorous growth, and the. yellow leat is making its appearance on all heavy soils. The crops . on the lighter land, where gravel forms the subsoil, are looking much better, and much rain has a beneficial effect. The greatest concern, however, is centred round the turnip crop, which of recent years has become the most important crop of all as far as our province is concerned. The changed methods from grain-growing to. stock-raising and fattening have tremendously increased the importance of winter feed in the shape of root crops, and anything. that threatens the turnip crop has become of all importance. The many happenings that have this season blocked the way for an abundance of winter feed is quite unprecedented. The shortage of labour through so many teamsters being away to the war was in itself quite difficult to overcome. The influenza epidemio intensified the trouble. The bad weather following the influenza, and last, but not least, the inferior turnip seed,' which in many cases has not germinated at all, and in others the germination has been so poor as to make resovving absolutely necessary. Shearing.—The shearing is terribly behind with so much wet. No progress can be made, as thevsheeD are practically too wet for shearing all the time. The stations are in the middle-of 'shearing, but very few farmers have made a start, and from all appearances will have to continue playing the waiting game, as shearers are very scarce, and until the stations, are cut out no shearers will be available. Some farmers are talking of shearing their own sheep, although they have had no previous experience. The circumstances seem to demand many to take to. the shears who have found no difficulty in past years of engaging experienced shearers if the sheep are to be shorn in time to allow a fresh growth ot wool before the winter sets in. Rabbits—Rabbits are becoming plentiful everywhere again, and with the prospect ol more shipping, space will most likely bo available at the freezer, and the trappers will have the choice of skinning or freezing, whichever proves the most remunerative. The School—The school will reopen on the 20th of this month after being closed for a record length of time. 4n«-linf —Our favourite streams are not attracting the outsider as in former years although local anglers continue-to get good baskets. Our two streams have not maintained the good name won years ago, tor it was quite common at one time to see quite a number from the large cities putting in a week or more in the township, and evidently well pleased with the results. —[Arrived too late for last weeks issue.J FERNDALE. January 17.—The weather has been a. little better for the last few days, but still it is as capricious as ever. One sunny day in seven is coming to be looked on as a great God-send. The crops are very backward, and grass is very scarce. Even on the earlier' country it is not at all satisfactory for the time of the year. There will be very few turnips at all if a change for the better does not come soon. Shearing is another difficulty with the sheepowner. Lucky the man who can handle the blades himself, as shearers are not to be got. Even those who can shear see so little prospect of making a cheque (with the wet weather) that they would sooner be at something else. Influenza.—The influenza epidemic was here, but passed lightly over the residents of Ferndale, there being no serious cases and no deaths. A Call. —Mr Brown, of Mataura, who holds church service 'here every fortnight, has accepted a call to East Taieri, and preached his farewell sermon in Ferndale on Christmas week. ETTRICK. January 20. —Weather conditions here have been very, unseasonable. _ The usual warm sunshine is so far lacking. Green crops are benefiting, however, showing good growth. Oats are well on —all shot and showing good heads. There are some crops of autumn-sown barley ready for the reaper, but harvest generally will be quite a month later than usual. Fruit Crop. —Fruit has suffered considerably, and is very slow in maturing. There are some fair crops of stone fruit _ if a little favourable weather were experienced to ripen it off. Apples are very slow m developing, and the promise of heavy crops in the spring has been sadly dissipated by the continuous cold rains and late frosts. There should, however, be a fair yield. Changes. —Two or three properties have changed hands of late, bringing about the ■usual changes of old residents going and new ones coming. . Health.—The district escaped the ravages of influenza., only a very few slight cases having developed. CORE. January 20.—One of the most miserable summers in Southland's experience continues to retard farm work, irritate the men on the land, and provoke similar anger in the oase of the town-dweller. The weather gods are apparently at war with the province. On two or throe recent occasions it appeared as if a temporary armistice had been signed, but the short spells when King Sol has shown a smiling face have only accentuated the depression in the wintry days that follow. Early settlers say that there has never yet been a general crop failure in tho Dominion's most southern country, but the portents for 1919 are ominous. Enough rain has fallen to mature the crops for a dozen seasons; but the coldness of the climate will make history. It is 3oothing to read of similar in other part 3, and takes away from the sting

to know that other places in New Zealand have fared no better. But the comfort is one-sided, and this consolation will not appease the farmer in harvest-time, or take the place of a reduced cheque for the year's labour. Town Life.—Business received a set-back on account of the influenza epidemio, and the exodus of holiday-makers kept the streets bare during the summer vacation. There is a livelier atmosphere about town at present than has been noticeable for some months, and affairs aro once more resuming their normal swing. T ne „ ™ an looking for the sign "house to let" has multiplied of late, and a miniature army haunts tho premises of the land agents in an unfruitful search to discover an apartment in which to house the family. Prospective tenants display keen rivalry in thei r efforts to secure a suitable abode. The number of persons willing to purchase dwellings is in a decided minority. The flood menace leaves a feeling of insecurity among property-holders on the flat, and most are unwilling to sink, capital there until the mystical flood protective works materialise. Talk of a town embankment has certainly been voluminous, but the concrete fact is still shrouded behind Ministerial promises and Borough Council compromises. Both the Public Works Department and the Gore Borough Council say that they are very anxious to forge ahead with the work, but tho days and months creep by, and visible signs of their anxiety are lacking. No doubt two or three more "final" conferences, the sting of another flood, and the passage of time will eventually see a flood-protected town. Borough Gardens.—lf there is one thing that the Borough Council can pride itself on it is the state of the municipal gardens. Needless to say the credit does not lie with tho local controlling body, but with the head gardener, whose ability and hard work have brought about the present satisfactory state of affairs. Despite a backward season the blooms, the shrubbery, the lawns, and all the other delightful assets contained in the block are a genuine picture and a speaking testimony to a hand that knows its craft. In short, "everything in the garden is lovely." Electrification Scheme. —The proposals set apart by the Southland League to supply eletric power to the whole of Southland will receive a strong measure of support from this district. The enterprise will be one of the biggest yet taken up by _ a body of men in the province, but there is every indication that it will be carried to a successful issue. Electric power supplied in the quantity that the scheme will ensure will do much to' further Southland along modern lires, and once in full swing will undoubtedly prove her greatest asset. MOMONA. January 18.—The weather continues very unseasonable. There have been occasional spells of fine weather, but these have been few and of short duration, and it cannot be said that there has been any sustained improvement since my last letter was written. Certainly there have been more wet days than fine ones during the past fortnight. To-day (Saturday) has been bitterly cold, with heavy showers of rain and hail. The continued wet weather is very trying to the farming community, who, more than any other class of _ people, are ruled by the elements. With the farmer success or failure in the season's work depends to a great extent upon climatic conditions. The Farm.—What I wrote a fortnight ago is as applicable to-day as when it was written. Farm work progresses only in the intervals between tho showers. Turnip-thinning is the principal work in hand, but progress is slow, and the weeds grow apace. There has been some growth in the" turnip crop during the past fortnight, but it is not doing as well as it should, and at the best the crop will be patchy. Cereal crops are in ear, and are looking well —indeed, some splendid crops are to be seen, and if the grain fills good yields may be anticipated. In any case there will be a large bulk of straw. The harvest will be very late, and it will probably be the end of next month before much grain is ready for the reaper. Farmers with crops of hay are experiencing great difficulty in getting it saved in good order. HERBERT. January 18.—Three of our soldier boys •arrived back from the war last Monday evening—namely, Private T. O. Kennedy (Military Medal), Private Alex. Wilson, and Private Wm. Aitchison. Everyone was pleased -to see them looking so well after the strenuous time they had. Herbert has good reason to be proud of her soldier boys, four Military Medals having come to our district. The heroes, who are all alive, are Corporal David Falls, Private Wm. Saunders Loder, Private T. O. Kennedy, and Private Alexander Smylie. Personal.—On January 28 the residents of the district axe giving a farewell sopial and dance to Mr and Mrs_ John Falconer and family, who are leaving the district. They will be much missed—Mrs and Misses Falconer from tho church choir. Mr Falconer's place will be hard to fill, he having for many years taken an active interest in the welfare of this district, being a manager and honorary treasurer of the Church Committee, honorary secretary of the School Committee, honorary secretary and treasurer of the Patriotic and Farewell Committee, and a member of the Athenseum Committee. Mr Falconer was never afraid to do his full share of tho work entrusted to him, his main object being to make everything a success.—Our stationmastcr, Mr Griffiths, is at present away on a well-earned holiday. Mr Curran is relieving stationmaster during his absence. Picnic. —Last Thursday was a perfect day for our annual picnic. Tho picnickers journeyed to the spot chosen (Black Flat) by motor cars, traps, horses, and bicycles, and, last but not least, the children wero conveyed thither by traction engine and waggons, kindly _ lent _by Messrs Forbes Bros, and Mr Jim Hill for the occasion. After partaking of the usual refreshments, games of all kinds, skipping, and races were indulged in, and everybody had something to amuse them, the inevitable lolly scramble being very amusing. After again having tea, cakes, and sandwiches tho people wended their way home quite well satisfied with their day's outing, and unanimous that the picnic of 1919 was a huge success. In the evening a dance was held in tho hall, and was kept going till the_ small hours of tho morning to music supplied by Messrs A. Wilson, R. Stringer, and D. M'Kenzie. Messrs Alex. Wilson and R. Stringer made efficient M.C.'s.

HANMER SPRINGS. January 17. —On Thursday night the visitors at Hanmer Springs gave a eooial in Queen Mary Hospital. A large crowd attended, and all thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment. Progressive euchre was played for an hour, and the ladies' prize was won by Mrs Mooar, the gentleman's by Private Bates, and the booby by Matron Rennell. A Casey's parade for ladies was won by Miss Gwen Kirby, and a whistljng Rufus competition for gentlemen was won by Private Bates. The musical programme was as follows: —Duet, Privates Falkner and Silverwood; songs and choruses by Miss Ootterill and the Lodge glee party, Mr Guy Cotterill and party, the Rev. J. Patterson and party. The prizes which were donated by Mesdames Rhodes and Cotterill were presented by Colonel Bernau, commandant at Queen Mary Hospital, who warmly thanked the visitors for the very enjoy-' able entertainment given. A waltz for which Private Coi'ley played the musio and the singing of "God save the King" concluded the evening. 'General.—On Thursday night _ a heavy rainfall was registered, falling in 12 hours. The rain was much needed, and will do a njreat deal of good.—There aio still a large number of visitors at Hanmer Springs, and all seem to be enjoying the beautiful weather thai has prevailed for some time.