OTARA NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22497, 6 December 1934, Page 13

OTARA NOTES

THE WEATHER, i (From Our Correspondent.) The month of November has been one of the hottest and driest months experienced for many years, the thermometer reaching over 80 degrees a day during last week, 85 degrees being recorded on the 30th in the shade. The month was marked by brilliant sunshine, with practically an absence of any winds. The rainfall was again below the average, 1.2 inches being recorded, with rain over four days, the heaviest fall being on the 19th with .55 inches. With the continued long dry spell pastures are very dry and grass is running fast to seed, while root crops are at a standstill. Turnips which have been sown for some weeks are still not showing. A warm rain is now badly needed to freshen up pastures and stimulate growth. All farm work is well advanced, and in most cases team work will be finished by Christmas. Shearing has commenced of dry sheep, but will not be general in the ewe flocks until the early draft of lambs go away. The mortality among lambs has not been so severe this season, although odd farmers have lost quite a few and in several cases quite a number of ewes have died.

In the dairy herds many cases of mammitis are prevalent in this district, some of which is in a severe form, and appears to be taking a greater toll of milk cows each year. The milk supply at the local factory this season reached a new record for November, being approximately 3000 gallons a day, but with the continued dry spell the supply is now back to 2900 gallons daily. Gold Mining.

Gold mining at present is very active on the foreshore of the Waipapa beach, while a large dredge is also being assembled and is expected to commence operations early in the New Year at the Waipapa Creek. Boring is being extensively done at present in a large acreage just pegged off. Sports Club.

A meeting of the Otara Sports Club was held on Saturday evening to complete the final arrangements for the forthcoming sports on January 3. The secretary reported that there was a loss on last year’s sports of approximately £lO, due to the cost of a new dancing stage and other items which would not be recurring. It was decided not to put on cycling events this year, the chief difficulty being to provide a good racing track. Mr W. Lee secured the tender for the delivery of the logs in the bushcraft events. It was also decided to call tenders for a booth on the grounds.