COUNTRY NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 19771, 20 February 1923, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS

GORE. (From our own correspondent.) A meeting of the ratepayers of the Borough of Gore was held in the Town Hall on Thursday evening to consider the question of the Gore water supply. His Worship the Mayor (Mr D. McDougall), addressed the meeting, stating that it was essential that the present water supply be augmented, as the well now in use could nor supply requirements, especially now that West Gore was being reticulated. At present it cost over £llOO per annum for pumping, which charge would, presumably, be doubled if another well were sunk. Furthere there was always the possibility that, if a second well were sunk, the supply so obtained might be tainted, or even then not sufficient for requirements. He reminded the meeting that, owing to the large amount of mineral in the water at present, the pipe lines had depreciated to a considerable extent, and unless something were done soon, the whole system would have to be renewed, at great expense to the Borough. The Waipahi gravitation scheme, as reported on by the Borough Engineer, would cost over thirty thousand pounds, but in the circumstances he considered it the better scheme. The saving of the annual charge for pumping was a big item alone.

Several questions were answered, and Mr A. H. Aitken moved that the Borough Council be authorised to take steps to have a poll of ratepayers taken on the question of whether a loan should be raised in order to have the graviation scheme at Waipahi carried out. The motion was seconded by Mr R. Whitehead, and on being put to the meeting, carried unanimously. The poll will be taken coincidently with the municipal elections on Aprril 26. HOKONUI. In spite of the unsettled weather experienced this season the crops in the Hokonui district are looking remarkably well and should average about 65 bushelp to the acre. There will be somewhere about 800 or 900 acres under crop. A few farmers have grown wheat which is looking well at present and the yield should be very profitable if the weather permits. Mr T. Paterson has cut a fine crop of autumn sown wheat and several other farmers are cutting their oats. Some of these crops are very heavy, but have been a bit knocked about by the wind, so they are fairly hard to cut. One noticeably heavy crop is that of Mr J. Davidson, which under favourable circumstances, should yield about 100 bushels.

The prospects for winter feed are good. There seems to be a large area of turnips grown this year. The bad weather delayed the sowing a little, but the crops seem to be coming away well now. Mr J. Wilson has an exceedingly fine crop which would take some beating. Mr J. Sims has also a fine second growth of clover on the river flat.

Owing to the abundance of grass, cattle and sheep in this district have never looked better. Dairying seems to be the coining industry here, and the farmers have been getting such good results from their cows that they are working hard to get a new cheese factory going before next season. In the height of the season here one farmer was carting twenty cans of milk to Browns factory, six miles away, so a factory would really be a great boon in the district. RXDSLYN BUSH. The turnip crop in the Roslyn Bush district has been coming on well of late, but does not promise so well as one would like. There has been too much cold and wet and turnips do best when there is plenty of sunshine. The area under white crop is not as large as formerly. At one time the oat crop was the farmers’ main source of revenue in this district, as well as many others. At the present time the “good old cow” has practically taken the place of much grain growing, and is a much safer source of revenue. The wind and rain certainly affects her flow of milk to a certain degree, but does not affect her to the same extent as the growing crop.

The oat crop in this district on the average is a fairly heavy one and should average about 60 bushels, but it has been damaged a good deal by the weather conditions. Mr Jas. Calvert has a heavy crop, which is mostly down and will be difficult to harvest. Most of the farmers in this district are liming their land with splendid results. The farmer who is “not liming” might just as well retire from farminc: operations and give some one a chance who will. All land in Southland is famishing for the want of lime, and the sooner the farming community recognise this the better it will be for themselves financially, and the country gen-

erally. Lame means success—no lime failure. There is no doubt about this. The only difficulty at present is the high price of agricultural lime which almost, makes its application impossible. At one time the price of loose shell lime was 15/- per ton, to-day it is 32/6, and as it takes at least two tons per acre to make a good job of a paddock when sown down for permanent pasture, it can easily be seen what the extra price means to the farmer. I am satisfied if all the farming land in Southland were properly limed, I mean by that, sufficient to take effect, the exports from Southland would be trebled. RIVERTON. The past week has been an eventful one for Riverton. The Southland Electric Power Board has, with creditable rapidity, erected the majority of the electric current poles throughout the town. The eastern aide of the main street now has the appearance of a beautiful avenue, minus the greenery. It is announced that three hotels have changed hands, Messrs Boraman, Mathieson and Anderson having sold out on favourable terms. The Sistine Choir soloists received a very hearty welcome at their performance in the Empire Theatre on Monday evening. Residents of the town and country recognised the merit of the entertainment and took full advantage of the opportunity to hear the singers. A number of residents journeyed to Wild Bush to attend the unveiling official of the soldiers’ memorial which is a beautiful gate entrance to the school grounds. There are three pillars, the central one having inscribed thereon the names of the local war heroes who died. The remaining two pillars contain the names of soldiers who returned. The memorial speaks vohimes for the liberality of the people of the district.

The Wyndham excursionists were lucky in their choice of a day for their annual outing for Wednesday was one of the best days experienced this week. Two old Riverton residents, one of whom has returned, are included in the recent resignations from the Otautau Town Board. In commenting on these gentlemen the Otautau Standard says: — “Mr Stevens has been a most active member of the Board,

and after last election was appointed chairman. During the previous term of hie membership he had taken a keen interest in the Town’s affairs. He was progressive and constructive in his ideas, was a member of most of the executive committees and took his full share of work. Unfortunately, just at the time of his promotion to the office of chief citizen, Mr Stevens was laid aside the serious illness from which he has now fortunately recoverered. Pressure of business and conformity to the recommendation of his medical adviser have necessitated his retirement from the service of the public meantime. Mr Stevens’ resignation from the Board at present is a distinct loss, as his business training, coupled with his energy and decision, was of material assistance to members. “Mr T. A. Mooney was only returned at last biennial election in September and had scarcely got settled down to the routine of business; his previous activities on the Progressive League had well fitted him to be a very useful member of the '.Board, and he was keenly interested in the progress of the township. Riverton has gained a good live man by his removal t> business in that town.” WAIMATUKU. On Thursday last, under the auspices nt the local branch of the N.Z. Fanners’ Union, a large number of members and farmers from the surrounding districts visited the experimental area at Winion. They were met by Mr Alexander, who conducted the party over the various five-acre plots explaining as he went the treatment of each with lime and manure, and showing how each responded. The weather being fine a very pleasant, as well as profitable, day was spent. This visit was the result of the interest aroused from a recent lecture given by Mr Alexander in the Waimatuku Hall when he enumerated the different values ana results of the use of lime and manure, alse grass seeding and top-dressing, as well a> spring feed for dairy cows. The hay harvest has just been completed Owing to the favourable conditions thit season, quite a large area has been securer for winter fodder, also for grass seed. The acreage of oats is not quite so extensive as in former years, but what crop# have been grown are good. There is also a 50-acre paddock of spring wheat which promises to give a good yield. The turnips and rape crops are all looking well and are well forward.

The potato crop was exceptionally good a month ago until the blight made its appearance. Dairying is carried on principally here, and as this has been an exceptional season for grass the supply of milk has been well maintained. There is talk of a cheese factory being built, as there will be a bigger supply of milk next season and I believe a site has been offered for it. Electric wires have been erected through the township and most of the householders are having electricity installed for power and fight.

A very successful tennis club has been formed, which has had an asphalt tennia court put down.