THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3489, 25 January 1921, Page 27

THE COUNTRY.

Oorresnondents are reminded that all letter® for the current week’s issue must reach Dune o NOT LATER THAN SATURDAY NIGHT. Letters ooming to hand on Monday are too late, and are thus a week old when they appear.

LAKE COUNTY

January 21.— Welcome ram fell m*h district on Saturday evening. and Sunday morning. Harvesting is now in full ewm , and a large area is already in stook. dne crops generally are good, and big yie cs looked, forward to. Dairying.—The milk payments for December at the Lake County Dairy Company s factory amounted to £690. The cheques ranged from £8 to £126. Fifteen tons of cheese ha already been despatched from the factory this season. „ . ~ • +O - 1 Vital Statistics.—The following are the vital statistics for Arrow district for year 19-0, the 1919 figures being given in parentheses. (Births, 14 (14); deaths, 6 (8); marriages, ° Picnic —The combined Church of England and Presbyterian Sunday Schools’ picnic rvas held at Beach Bay yesterday. the weather was fine and a large number availed themselves of the run across from Queenstown to the Bay in the s.s. Earnsiaw. n* most enjoyable day was spent. Concert.—A successful concert, in aid of the funds of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, was held in the Athenseum. Hall, Arrowtown, last evening. The principal part of the programme was supplied by Messrs Frank and Arthur Murphy, of Gisborne, who are on a visit to Arrowtown. The songs and duets contributed by these gentlemen were greatly appreciated by the laa-ge audience, and they had to respond to encores in every instance. Other items were songs by Miss Ethel Mayne, Mr A. Domigan (Invercargill), recitations by Miss F. H. C. Clifford (Dunedin), cornet solos by Rev. James Rattray, pianoforte duets by Meadames de Lambert and Anderson, and a Highland Fling by M'iss Lena Richardson (Gore). Misses G. Edie and R. Stevenson were the accompanists. LUMSOEN. January 21. —This district has just passed through a succession of dust storms caused by the gales of wind, approaching hurricane force, the like of which can scarcely be remembered by the oldest residents; and now the days are very hot and rainless. Rain, even now, would, be rather late for the gram crops, but if it doesn’t come soon turnips arid other root crops will be in a bad way for moisture. The prospects of a plentiful supply of winter feed for stock is anything but bright at the present time. Agricultural and Pastoral. —Shearing is now over for the season, and tile wool clip is up to the average standard of former seasons in quantity and quality, but the prices are anything but satisfactory. The grass seed harvest is now in full swing, and the average yield is pretty well up to that of former seasons. A second sowing of turnips has to be carried out everywhere throughout the district. Cricket. —A friendly match was played last Saturday (loth) between the Lumsden and Baltcur teams at Balfour. The home team were winners by an innings and a small margin of runs. A return match will be played at Lumsden shortly. Obituary.—An aged andi a very highly respected resident, and one of the earliest pioneers of Loiigridge and the Lumsden districts, passed away at his residence, Lumsden, at the age of 86 years, in the person of Mr John A. M'Donald. He had been in failing health for some considerable time, the end coming finally on the 16th, caused by heart weakness. The remains were followed by a large number of friends and relatives to the Lumsden Cemetery, where te body was laid beside that of the late Mrs M'Donald, who predeceased her husband by about six years. Much sympathy is felt for the family and relatives in their bereavement. Rev. D. V. Fisher officiated at the burial service in the house and at the graveside. —Mr F. -J. Dotting (of Lintly) died his residence on the Bth, after a lingering illness. The remains were conveyed by rail for interment at Edendale. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved widow and family.— Sincere sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Heath (of the Lumsden Hills) for the loss of their little one, who died suddenly on the 15th; aged 12 months. V/AiKAiA. January 21. —Exceptionally hot weather has been experienced during the last fortnight. A few showers have fallen on a couple of days, but heavy rain is urgently needed for both the the grass crops and stock generally. Sports.—Beautiful weather attracted many visitors to the annual sports-gathering on Hew Year’s Day, which we re a great success from every point of view. Tennis. —A tennis match, between Yv’endoneide and Waikaia. was played on the AVendonside courts on the Bth. The weather was very hot, and to a. certain extent influenced the play. Both clubs played six ladies and gentlemen aside, and the players were evenly matched. Wendonside won by two sets. The ladies provided afternoon tea, which was much enjoyed. Obituary.—Very great regret was felt at the death of Mr William Richards, draper, Esk street, Invercargill. The deceased was a respected resident of Waikaia some years ago, and during his residence rendered great assistance at church services, being the possessor of a light tenor voice. Great sympathy is extended by a large circle of friends to his widow and five children. Fox many years he had suffered from heart, trouble. BALCLUTHA. January 24. —The weather continues fine. There was an appreciable cold snap during last week with indications of rain, but, unfortunately, none fell. The country presents a very dry aspect, and even townspeople are feeling the need of a couple of days steady rain. Freezing Works. —The South Otago Freezing Company are at present engaged in loading out freight carcases for shipment to London. This consignment will clear the cold stores at the works of mutton and lamb, but a considerable quantity of beef will remain. It is probable that the new season’s operations will commence in February. Ministerial Visit. —The Hon. J. 0. Coates, Minister of Public Works, is scheduled to visit Balclutha about February 15 for the purpose of inspecting the proposed route of the Clutha-Tuapeka Mouth railway. WAtWERA. January 21. —For weeks together we have had baHering winds withering everything; in fa> ' giatri, turnips, and everything else Boomed to Ire at a standstill lor a long time. "Within these last few days, however, we have berm getting a few slight sin were which have considerably freshened things up. -n. good soaking is very mueli needed, and if it

does not come soon I fear crops generally will be light, and turnips nothing to boast : of. Indeed, I think I am safe in stating crops of all descriptions will be patchy. Holidays.—The holidays passed off very quietly. The usual sports were held in various places, but seemed to be somewhat lifeless compared with what we have seen before. This may be accounted for in a measure to so many of the old hands having left, and so many new ones come in their places, who have not had time to become acquainted with each other. The collapse in our marktes too, 1 quite believe, has been a means of damping our spirits. If we cannot sell our produce we are stumped, and this seems to be the position at present. An agent told me things couldn’t be given away at the last sale at Clinton. Grass Seed. —There are several paddocks of grass seed throughout the district pretty well all being cut, nothing, however, like the quantity that used to be cut in former years. From what I can gather, the seed seems to be good. Should the weather keep favourable for the threshing, those who are fortunate enough to have a good lot should realise a good cheque, that is if the prices don’t collapse as with all other produce. Picnic.—On Friday the combined Sunday Schools held their picnic in Mr Ross’s paddock on the banks of the Waiwera. The weather being good, all grown-ups, as well as the children, had a most enjoyable day. These social gatherings are splendid’ opportunities for meeting together and keeping bright old friendships. Personal.—After some eight or nine years of successful teaching at the local school, Mr M'Kmnen has been promoted to a school nearer Dunedin. I am sure he will be very much missed. Besides being an excellent teacher, he has always taken a great interest in church affairs, and indeed almost everything for the advancement ancl general good of the place. He was also a kind and sympathetic friend in times of sickness. I am sure we are losing a most valuable citizen as well as a successful teacher. We heartily wish our friend and his family every prosperity and happiness in the future. PALMERSTON. January 24.—The weather for the past few days has been considerably colder and threatening-. Yesterday was beautiful for the show, which in every respect was a, record. Stock Sale.—The monthly stock sale was held on Thursday, when there was a small yarding-, especially of sheep. Bidding was slow, and prices went back. Pigs, of which there was an exceptionally large yarding, brought fair money, though not up to the figures ruling at late sales. Dance. —A largely-attended dance was held in the Town Hall last night. Many came from long distances, and dancing was kept up till an early hour. FLAXBOURNE. January 15.—Unlike Canterbury, we have bad an exceptionally good season, especially with regard to the grain crops. Harvest is now practically finished, the, weather causing us little or no delay. We certainly have experienced a short dry spell lasting for the last month or so, but, except for the rape tnis just came at the right time to ripen tne crops and enable us to stack it in firstclass order. Rape, as I said before, has not d-one well, and won’t stand much feeding, this has caused a heavy fall in the price of store lambs, which were sold in November tor forward delivery as high as £l, and are 12s"ed° n 7 WOrt l in lhe nei » h^curh ood of hreezmg Works.—The freezing works opened here on the loth-much too late for the district. They were delayed by repairs and additions. This was very unfortunate, as this was the best season for fattening lambs on iheir mothers we have had for many years, and by the time the works opened many had gone back in condition, and will b % put . ™ none too plentiful i-c-e. Tne freezing prices have opened here as fohows: -Lamb, Sid; wethers, 4|d; ewe® - • Phis is at least a penny i e «s than people expected and much disappointment has aeen caused m consequence. It is rewhhdvnwna> Borthwick and Co. have vitlidiawn from tne market. Whether this unkn y owm S C '° the M I> General.—The market for chaff ancl m-ain has not yet opened, but chaff is expected to bring from £H 10s to £4 in the stack Mod farmers are thatching their stacks and holding, as the price is barely payable’. Barley is expected to be somewhere about 7s Much wool is also being held. In fact, things generally are much steadier than fen- rnanv years. MIDDLEMARGH. MIDDLEMARCII. January 20. The Strath Taieri Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Committee is experiencing some difficulty in finding men to hew the necessary stone for the memorial. It appears -that not every stonemason is able to work the Kokonga stone, of the material of which much of the Dunedin Railway Station is built. The committee decided to make another effort- by advertisement and by other means to obtain workers to hew the stone. The twentieth annual report of the Strath Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Association shoe’s, that 'he affairs of the society are in a satisfactory condition, and the balance sheet discloses that the finances need not cause anxiety. The president referred to tiie joss by death of two prominent members of the society, and of the removal of several supporters from the district. During the year some three acres of land adjoining the show grounds were acquired to provide for an expansion if at any time such should be required. Mr James Matheson was reelected president, and Mr Andrew Carri:thers vice-president. Mr William Robertson, the treasurer was re-elected, and the 10 committeemen whose period of office had expired were re-elected, as well as several members to rill vacancies. The Strath Taieri show v®l lie held on Easter Monday, which falls on March 28. Another correspondent writes concerning the wants ancl aspirations of Middlemarch. Sti-ath-Taieri possesses many streams. At intervals of not more than two miles throughout, the district these streams are to be met with, and the- help the fertility of the soil. In dry seasons, which are frequent, the question is discussed as to how these streams could be utilised to increase production. The land is good, and the climate genial, so that an irrigation scheme presents great possibilities. An urgent need is the formation of some local body to look after and push forward schemes for tho betterment of Middlemarch itself. The township is becoming more and more important as a district centre, and yet there is no 10-al body to direct its affairs. There are sufficient householders within the prescribed area to warrant the, f mention of a town hoard. Electric, lighting, water simply, and drainauc are all much needed, and with the splendid water power available from tho mountain sources cl m at hand, all arc feasible propositions. The railway facilities are not complained of, but were it not for

the convenience of the passenger carriage j attached to the afternoon train the district j would not be too well served. It is to be | hoped that when the new time-table is j being- prepared, consequent on the opening j of the Cromwell section, there will be no change in the character of the train service that will tell against the district.