Notes from the Waimea.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9264, 31 August 1898, Page 2

Notes from the Waimea.

(FBOM OUB OWN COBBESPONDENt.) Spring is coming along very quickly, the cherry plum and peach trees being already full of blossom. The winter has been on the whole rather mild, and the long spells of dry weather especially suitable for farm work. Sowing is still being busily proceeded with. The recent showery weather somewhat interfered with the work round Appleby, where the land for a time was too wet for cross-ploughing, but during the past week teams may be seen at work in all directions. The warm weather of last week was bringing early crops along nicely, but the heavy frosts experienced during a couple of nights did a good deal of mischief in checking the young growth. A number of new plantations of hops are being made, especially beyond Spooler's Eange. At Spring Gro*e, Messrs Boddington and Sharp talk of going in for five acres, and Mr W. Bullard and J. Eicketts are increasing the area they have already under crop. The saw mills have been kept busily employed all the year. A good deal of timber is Btill being sent down to town by waggons. Messrs Maule and Fowler have been carting some very long heavy beams, which I believe, are for the new jam factory, The main roads have kept in very good order during the winter, and are now well patronised by cyclists. Suitable bridges for cycle traffic are badly needed at the Stoke creek, and at the splash near Balck's store, at Hope. The expense of widening the footbridges would not be, great, and by attending to the work the County Council would not only carry out a necessary work, but would earn the gratitude of the everincreasing section of the public who lovea run out into the country on " the wheel," Influenza is still prevalent, and the attendance at some of the schools is consequently very small.