MANDEVILLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3413, 13 August 1919, Page 27

MANDEVILLE.

August 4.—The winter months of 1919 are a thing of the past, and a remarkably good winter it has been, for which we have much to bo thankful for. Indeed, the concern right through Southland for a favourable winter owing to the unfortunate-failure of the turnip crop was, I suppose, greater than ever before. Although spring is with us, the feed diffioulty is, not entirely overcome, for many weeks must elapse before growth will be such that turnips, chaff, or hay can be done without, and, of course, it rests with the weather conditions whether the growth will be rapid or otherwise. More lea is being turned over in this district than for quite a long time. No doubt the partial failure in the grain crops in the European countries and the unfavourable reports from Australia will be an incentive for farmers in this country to give more attention to grain-gr-cwing, as a scarcity invariably means high prices. The return of the men from the war will also lessen the difficulty which has been eo acute in getting labour to take on farm work Land Speculation.—There is quite a, lot of land changing hands, and the land agents are reaping a great harvest. The prices being paid are no indication of a slump in the near futiire. Indeed, if a comfortable living is to be made on the land high prices must rule for years to come for what is taken out of it. . Restrictions.—The railway restrictions" are causing us a lot of inconvenience .undoubtedly, but we are in a much more fortunato position than many centres, as we have two trams a week, and, hems the slack season of the year, our demands on the service are not great, and our requirements are met save in a few isolated cases, not with the same promptness, no doubt but wonderfully well considering the bi~ ' e l as u ..that was taken out. As we drift into" sprins thi wants on the Plains in the shape of manure, seeds, implements, etc., will increase manyfoid. A daily service has not been able to overtake the work for years past without the assistance of special periodically It i 3 therefore plainly evident that unless the coal position improves very shortly haulago by road will have to bo resorted to. The effects of a shortage of coal have surely mnde all classes realise as they never realised before the importance of the miner to the community. There seems only one solution of the problem, and that is to make the conditions so attractive that men will go down Into the bowls of the earth and hew out coal in sufficient quantities to supply all requirements. The more one looks into this matter and sees the amount of labour taken

up with non-essential industries, the more he must be convinced that it is only a matter of time when things must be adjusted in the direction of directing an abundance of this labour towards essentials, and the more unattractive the work is the greater the remuneration will have to be. Lambs. —Young lambs have made their appearance on Mr F- Cross's farm, and as the weather has been dry they have the appearance of doing all right. Still, the flow of milk must be limited, and, should a break in the weather set in, they will require special attention, or I fear the deathrate will be large. [Arrived too late for last week's issue.]