TUATAPERE NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 20012, 28 October 1926, Page 9

TUATAPERE NOTES

LIBRARY COMMITTEE MEETS. (From Our Correspondent.) A meeting of the Memorial Library Committee was held on Monday evening, when it was decided to fence the section and furnish the library building before handing it over. A special public meeting was arranged for Monday, November 1, at which the Library Committee will be elected. Mrs J. W. Prentice (Invercargill) had stated her willingness to arrange a concert, part proceeds to be handed over to the library fund. An endeavour is to be made to secure a suitable date. PLUNKET SOCIETY’. A further special meeting of the Plunket Society was held on Tuesday afternoon. Arrangements were finalised for the jumble sale on November 25. Mrs J. Tippet and Mrs J. M. Mangan donated prizes for the children’s fancy dress parade. The president (Mrs Duncan) said that Mr G. McLeod had kindly consented to judge the baking competition. A letter was received from the secretary of the Plunket Society, Invercargill, with regard to the increase in the nurse’s salary and was held over till next meeting. BIBLE CLASS PICNIC. The members of the Presbyterian Bible Class and their friends held their annual picnic at the Rocks, Riverton, on Labour Day. A very pleasant time was spent with games, races, etc., and all thoroughly enjoyed the day by the sea. METHODIST CHURCH. The anniversary service in the Methodist Church, Tuatapere, was held on Sunday, October 24, when the Rev. Dyson occupied the pulpit. Solos were contributed by friends from Nightcaps. The annual social is to take place on Thursday evening when the Rev. Ayrton from Otautau will be present and a musical programme, games and competitions has been arranged. ANGLING. Weather locally over the week-end favoured angling and a large number took advantage of the holiday on Monday to try their luck at this pastime. A party visited the mouth of the Waiau where they found fish plentiful, one of the number landing a dozen average sued fish in two hours.

Near the bridge over the Waiau at Clifden Mr J. Leetch landed a salmon trout which turned the scales at 131bs, the largest known to be secured from the river this season. Two other anglers in the same vicinity secured four Esh, the two largest weighi ing 51bs and 41bs respectively. The river is still running high with snow water but is steadily clearing and promises good fishing in the near future. CHILDREN’S DAY. ' Children’s Sunday was held on October 17 in the Presbyterian Church, Clifden. There was a large congregation of adults and young people. The Rev. S. Waddell gave an inspiring and helpful address which was interesting to all. ON THE FARM. Farmers are busy sowing grass seed, etc., and much progress has been made in the preparation of the land for turnips. The oat and wheat crops in the Clifden district are showing up well and have made considerable headway in the past week, the warm rain followed by sunshine being ideal growing weather. Those farmers who were lucky in losing no lambs during the cold snap of weather are having their misfortunes now. On nearly every farm to the eye witness lambs appear to be plentiful and in splendid condition, but the owners state that they are losing lambs daily, and for no apparent reason. All farmers look for losses at tailing time but this has no connection with the loss of lambs in good condition. On some farms dead lambs have been found daily until 30, 40 and upwards of the best of the flock have been lost. The same conditions existed last year and experts advised the owners to move the flocks round, puttng the cause down to too much feed and too little exercise. This theory seems to be incorrect for feed is not so plentiful this season and owners are to be seen daily “hustling” their flocks, to use their expression. Again very frequently twin lambs die in addition to single lambs. Many farmers are at a loss to understand why the Government experimental farms do not take up such matters and supply them with valuable advice and information on this matter. More than one man has expressed the opinion that raising lambs is not worth the trouble and worry and that they intend to go in for fattening sheep instead. Meantime they are still looking to experts to help them oat of present difficulties.