FERNDALE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 27

FERNDALE.

May 30. —The most noticeable feature about Southland is the weather, therefore _it is a fitting subject to head the district notes whichever district it is. We had real winter last year, no spring, no summer, no autumn, and now we are having- real winter again. I believe we did get a week or two of fine weather, and the local weather prophet said it would last for two months. We really believed him, but now our faith is shaken. We have hadl our second snow* now (the first came at Easter), with plenty of rain and hail to back it up and make plenty of mud. To-night it freezes, and the glass is up. Hop© stirs feebly in our breasts.

The Farm.—The harvesting in Perndale has been accomplished on most of the farms under difficulties-. On one or two farms the crop is still in the stook, waiting on the fine weather. This cold weather has one advantage : it 'iwill prevent the oats from springing. The cows are going- off rapidly on the deiry farms. The season has been a. bad one for the dairyman. The sudden drop in the price of stock has made many a man think hard, as feed is very scarce, and to eell now means losa. But never mind, the price of meat in the ahops keeps up, and everything else we go to town for keeps on rising. We get Is 3d,a. lb for our wool; we go to town and pay 14a 6d and more for lib of knitting wool. JDoes it cost 13s 3d to do the spinning? Here is a- subject for investigation. Soldiei-s' Welcome.—On' April 9 a social was held' to welcome home three soldiers—• James Bristow, James Hastie, and Jack M'Donald. Although it was a rough night, the school was filled to overflowing—in fact, it was the largest gathering that has ever taken place in Ferodalej visitors ooming from as far away a» Seaward Downs. Musical and other items were given. The three soldiers were each presented with gold medals from the people of the district. Mr Sherwood, of Matauna, made the presentation, and then the company indulged in dancing till the sma.' 'oors.—Private Walter Wassell has also returned home, and will receive a public welcome in due course.