MANDEVILLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3467, 24 August 1920, Page 23

MANDEVILLE.

August 20.—After one of the longest periods of frost without "a break experienced in Southland for a very long time, with intense severity for the time of the year,-a mild change has set in reminding one that spring is at hand. Growth, however, hue been quickened, and the fit Ids bear a browner and barer appearance than in the middle of July. Feed for stock is none too plentiful and the majority of farmers in this district find their turnip crop vanishing all too quickly, and are anxiously looking forward to a period of sunshine minus the frost to send forth a- vigorous growth. Farm work is well advanced, and, given a favourable spring, an early ".tart will be made in getting in the cereal crops which, from present appearances, promise a much increased! acreage.

Bunny.—The rabbit trappers are nearmg the end of another season, and as far as tallies go it is the worst season ever experienced. From present appearances it looks as if the rabbit on the Hokonuis will soon bo a thing of the past, so difficult has it become to get a payable catch even by the most experienced trappers. The price for the skins at the moment is really good, and the market is steadily on the rise, consequently, it does not take many rabbits to make equal to a good day's work. Casualties.—Mr Bert Mill, while crunching sheep, received) a severe cut necessitating medical aid. Several stitches had to be put in, and an enforced rest of at least a month in the middle of the busy season. Mir J. H. M'Leod, who went under a painful operation a few weeks ago-, has not made the -satisfactory recovery his many friends anticipated, and we now learn that he has to go under X-rays preparatory to another operation before a complete recovery can be looked for.

Railway.-r-The Railway Department has a staff at presient making alterations and additions at the local station and yards. I understand that increased accommodation is to be provided at the waiting shed, which has been long overdue. A verandah is to bs put into the goods shed, and the trucking yards are to be extended. Thanks to our energetic member, Mr J. R. Hamilton, M.P. Personal.—Mr Bucot, our popular storekeeper, has secured the agency of the famous Sutton's Seeds, and is finding no difficulty in placing orders with almost every farmer in the large and closely settled districts with whom he does business. He had the assistance of one of Sutton's representatives explaining to the farmers the methods adopted by Messrs Sutton in building up and maintaining their standard of seeds that is world famed.

General—The Bachelors' Ball was such a great success that the spinsters are moving in tli© direction of returning the compliment. —There .-are also rumours that the Benedicts will follow closely behind, so with other district amusements, things socially are well up to pre-war standard as far as Mandevillo is concerned.