TUTURAU.

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

TUTURAU.

May 30.—Heavy rain fell on' 21 days m April, but on the 25th (Anzac Day) wo had a change and a lovely day. Heavy rain fell again on the 26th, but since then till the 24th May very fine weather continued, and the grass began to show green again, and the weather must have helped the growth of turnips. The gardens, too, were a mass of blooms. This last week has been rough and cold, with hail «und. enow showers. The Bnow did not lie here; but the Hokonuis and Tuturau Hills were white on two days, and. the flowers are beaten. and! wasted. Bui wo are getting near midwinter now, and have had only one or , two slight frosts bo far. This is a great help to stock, as turnips are scarce. _ The ground is very soft, and stock—that is, cattle —could not be turned on to breaks, so turnips are being carted out, the scarcity also making this necessary. Dairying.—The dairy factory will close 'in a few days, and butter instead of cheese has been made this last week.

Weddings.—Two weddings took place in April—Miss Dickie and Mr M'Millan (a Main Body man, recently returned), their home being in Gore; and Miss M'Kinna and Mir D. Nichol, both of this> district, who remain here. Social.—A social to returned soldiers was held on the 25th April to Trooper R. Thornhill and W. Folste.-, and was much enjoyed. Now that both our schools are in iiee, holding socials in them is a- trial to teachers and children, as the desks and books have all to be shifted, and it has been suggested to build a memorial hall. The district is a large one, and - the want of a hall for the gatherings has been long felt, and' it is to be hoped that a little more energy will bo exerted this time. "We once got "as far as to have the money promised (at the time of the coronation) but the church was built then, and the hall project lapsed. The cost will be double now. General. —There is a good deal of sickr.eas about, and colds are general.—Chafccutters are very scarce, and everyone wants chaff cut, so that the team work can go on. So far the thrashing mil] has not been in the district. Good crops of potatoes aro teneral in the gardens, but s most of the eld ones are poor, and there is a big short-

age all over. Early ones in the garden (hot lifted owing to the rain) are growing—6m high. May 31.—We have had our first sharp frost this morning, with ice as thick as a half-crown.