DISTRICT NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 20833, 23 July 1929, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS

PUKERAU NOTES.

(From Our Correspondent.)

The past week’s weather has been moist and sunless, and although the. rainfall has been light the ground and roads are in a muddy state. Traces of the recent snowstorm are still to be seen in the gullies and sheltered spots where drifts occurred. The reports of heavy losses of sheep in the Otaraia district are proving to be exaggerated, and the death rate is proving to be much lighter than was at one time anticipated. Ploughing operations has been proceeding as the vagaries of the weather permit, and the present month should see the bulk of the lea land turned over. Feed prospects for stock are reassuring in the district, and unless the spring is an unusually late one there should be no shortage. Among the purchasers at Messrs Murray Brothers’ dispersal sale of Romney stud sheep was Mr J. J. Wylie (Kaiwera), who secured 35 stud ewes and ewe hoggets, which should prove a good foundation for the building up of a first-class stud flock. Very few rabbits are to be found in the district this winter. Hares, however, are very numerous, and their ravages on the swede crops are very evident. Last Thursday afternoon about 30. district ladies assembled in the hall when Mrs Caldwell (Tuapeka Mouth) and Mrs Smith (Clydevale) organizers for the Women's Institute, were present and fully outlined the aims and objects of the institute. It was eventually decided to form a local branch, the following office-bearers being elected: President, Mrs Nixon; secretary, Miss Maslin; committee, Mesdames Hoare, Knox and Gordon, with power to add. Meetings are to be held on the third Thursday afternoon in each month. The Kaiwera ladies also formed a branch, Mrs C. 11. Tripp being elected president, and Mrs Copeland secretary, and Mesdames Herron, Quertier and Elliott a committee. Ping Pong.

On Saturday night last a match was played in the Pukerau Hall between a team from Waikoikoi and the local players. The teams comprised eight ladies and twelve men. The final scores were: Pukerau 85 games, Waikoikoi 82.