COUNTRY NEWS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12490, 17 March 1909, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

TAKAKA. (From Onr Own Correspondent.) Things are. deadly quiet in Takaka just now " The weather is still dry and the air is heavy with smoke from various bush and rubbish fires which are burning in all parts of the district. There was a slight drizzling rain on Wednesday last, but hardly enough to lay the dust. ■ Hop picking is proceeding steadily and the hops are being got in in fine condition, there being a total absence of rain, wind or red spider so far this season. The schools are all closed for the hop jjoicking but this is probably the last season it will occur as the gardens are so few in number now that the presence of the youthful pickers could be dispensed with—in fact not half the children are picking at all this year. • ■ ' The building trade is still brisk. On the rise by the old lake three residences are going up at once, all within two hundred yards of each other, and shortly a fourth is to be commenced. Before long there will be quite a closely built suburb between the school corner and the. centre of the Messrs Sloan and Benson: the successful tenderers for the new Court House and Police cottage, have made a good start with their job and are evidently bent on making the most of the fine weather. The bowling green presents an animated appearance every evening. The finals for all competitions are now being played and there is very keen rivalry between the various players and teams engaged. So far Dr Adams looks- a likely winner of the singles and he has also a good look in with his partner Mr- A. S.Pirani in the pairs and with his -team for the full rink trophies. -All-games-have to be finished by the end of March when the green is to undergo a much needed top dressing. The club have decided to' send three full rinks to Nelson to take part in the ; Easter tournament. Our men being nearly all first year players do not expect to do much •against the more experienced players but. doubtless will do their best and at the same time pick up many pointsfrom mixing with good players.