COUNTRY NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 41, 25 March 1914, Page 11

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From Our Special Correspondents.)

WAIAU.

- Fat lamb buyers have been operating very freely in Amuri lately, and a mob of 2,00:0 was despatched from Culverden on Monday. This has been a splendid season for sheep-farmers, •wool and" fat sheep fetching high prices, and at the same time feed is abundant. Threshing in the Waiau district is being delayed through a chapter of accidents. The local mill-owner was about to commence work when he was seized with a serious illness. A Culverden owner then decided on a visit, but on the way the combine capsized bodily down a hill and was much damaged. Another machine was and brought ©n to Waiau, but on its arrival last week it was found to be eut of order and could not do the so grain-growers are still waiting for a mill to turn up. In reply to Jhe fiailway League's telegram to the Minister of Public Works, Mr Fraser has sent a reply stating that the railway will be commenced shortly -and that the arote will not lapse on March 31. He reminds the league that there are other lines in the Dominion besides Waiau which demand attention. The league has replied that that information put a totally different complexion on the matter than that given by the Hon. Mr Rhodes.

KAIKOURA. Another instalment of material for ihe Hapuka bridge das arrived, the Wakatu landing the first of the cylinders last week. Much disappointment is'expressed that neither the Governor nor fiie Minister for Public Works can visit the district to perform the ceremony of driving tfhe first pile. As the contractor will soon toe ready for starting * the work, it is anticipated that this much required bridge will ,have to be built without pomp. Wheat the structure is completed, however, residents will look for a fitting opening ceremony. r -Captain, G. C. Mayne, of the "B" (Kaikoura Territorials) farewelled by the oifieers, non-coms., and ineii on Tuesday evening. All the. speakers expressed regret at the capiaiivV departure, his assistance to thesquadron in every way being much appreciated. Captain Mayne was the recipient of a presentation during the evening. Property lias be**n changing hands here lately, to less than four holdings ; finding new owners during. last week. j Mr 2?. F. fipinsley disposed of his; Sandy Bay property to Mr Walter! Gibson, jun.; Mr A. P. Robinson sold; bin freehold and leasehold property atHundalee to Mr E. Stanford, of Christ-j church; and then, finally, Mr Robin! son purchased the Puhi Puhi properties "of Messrs S. Litchfield and P. Keenan., Mr W. H. v Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands for Marlborough, who has been transferred to the North- Island, performed his last public duty, in the. capacity of Commissioner, by conducting the ballot for the Lynton Downs settlement here on Saturday. At thej conclusion of the*ballot the Commissioner formally said good-bye to the members of the Land Board. The full strength of the board was present, and everyone spoke in the highest terms of praise of the departing officer. On the previous evening a number of local residents met Mr Skinner, and at an impromptu gathering gave the popular Commissioner a hearty au re voir. Mr Price, of Auckland, is to be the new Commissioner for Marlborough. . The luck of some men is proverbial, and this was evinced at the Lynton Downs settlement on Saturday. One man put in a single application for a section and was lucky enough to draw it, but on the other hand a man and his wife each applied for seven sections and are still numbered amongst the landless. A team from the Cheviot Tennis Club journeyed to Kaikoura on Friday and played the return match with the Kaikoura Club the following day. The home team proved victorious by 16 games—l 47 to 131.