WINTON.

Southern Cross, Volume 6, Issue 9, 4 June 1898, Page 12

WINTON.

The Hokonui railway is at last started. A gang of men are making it shipshape prior to laying down the sleepers. In connection with this matter it may not be out of place to state that this is a most unseasonable time to begin the work. There are scarcely 100 bushels of grain trucked along the line so far, the crops being late in the Hokonui, Forest Hill, Hedgehope, and other back districts, and when the cockatoos in those loca-lities are just about ready to send their consignments away they are blocked. Why was not this work started three mouths ago, or better still, in order not to interfere with the harvest, why not delay it another month or so,and give notice to the farmers. But possibly the inconvenience and delay may not be so bad after all. Higher prices will, it is to be hoped, follow patience. The second point is the bringing of men to this work from Invercargill, Seaward Bush and elsewhere. We have as good men here, and men who are very much more deserving because they are local. A brilliant success is assured for our show this year, and no wonder, for the prize-list is a tempting one. The Secretary informs me that the

entries are coming to hand daily for the field turnip competition. The entries for this class will close this (Saturday) evening, and the entries for the fresh batter one week old, will be received up to next Wednesday at 8 o’clock. The sheep sale last Thursday was largely attended, and prices in all cases were satisfactory. The body of the late Mr P. Plannigan was found last Thursday. It had drifted down the river fully two miles, and was found by George, the deceased’s eldest son. The Pasco brothers and Mr Geo. Findlay were also in the boat when the body was recovered.