OTAUTAU.

Southern Cross, Volume 6, Issue 35, 10 December 1898, Page 12

OTAUTAU.

For the past month w r e have been having delicious weather, and everybody is pleased. But now the water tanks are going dry, and the ploughed land getting hard to work, so that not a few are looking for a few hours rain. However, those who are working couchy land are wishing that it may keep off a little longer. The crops are all doing well, but would greatly benefit from a little rain.

Shearing is in full swing, and a few of the largest sheds are cut out, the wool being clean and bright, but I expect that farmers will not need to look for so high a price this year, especially for the coarser sorts. Fishing is still going on with varying results. One local angler has caught this season no less than 250, while another has only got one. The township is going ahead by leaps and bounds. Buildings are rising up as if by magic, and land is selling at £IOO per \ acre. The tyre question is agitating the minds of County Councillors just now.

A considerable area of ryegrass is being kept for seeding this year, and as a consequence settlers will have to accept lower values next year. I have to report the sale of 130 acres of land, part sections 13 and 50, Ringway Estate, to Mr Harry Beer, at a satisfactory figure.