FAIRLIE NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 1658991, 18 July 1918, Page 2

FAIRLIE NOTES.

THE SNOW. (From our own Correspondent.) Tin's week lias soen a splendid ili2w in the district, and there is now a good deal of clear country among .the. h;!ls and downs round the township. On the level country there is now only a few inches of snow, hut it might remain for somo time if fmsty weather continues. The gla'js was exceptionally |ow at the beginning of the week, and the weather war," watched with home nnx'ety. Howev°'i nothing worse than a few nor'wes*. showers came, and they had the effect of sending away the snow is good style. The rivers and creeks rose, though not sufficiently to do any damage. »t is thought that tho sheep remaining in the district are now out of danger. The clear facings provide a pick of fresh feed for them, and they can also he fed on turnips and dry feed such as hay and straw.; There is still a good deal ?f scow in tihe Clayton, Ashwiok and Sherwood districts, but even there the snow has gone sufficiently to allow tho sheep and cattle to movo about and get a pioking. Evervwliero tho facings and ridges are getting a little- clearer, .<<> that tho 'josition is all tho time improving. Over forty thousand sheep 1 must have gone out, of tho district by road and ra ,: l. and this has relieved the situation tremendously. They will return to find plenty of feed, and shoni.l do well. In tile Mackenzie Country thero is not a great extent of the district' affected seriously; in faet that portion of tho county got off extremely well. Some of the lower runs cxprrionced a deep fall, but further back the stock wore never in any difficulty. Some of the runholders had taken their sheep out some time ago, in pursuance of then practice. Others have provided for such an emergency as this in the shape of hay and oat, ihenves so that tho losses are expected to bo light in that quarter. Tho roads nrr> very sloppy, and when there is a frost they are in such a slippery condition that travelling is a difficulty. Xnw that tho district has bad a good fall of snow a prosperous season is expected to follow. GENERAL. Tho township has been very quiet sineo the snow came. The only events to break tho monotony havo been tin; sending away ot several trains daily, with stock. Ab times the place nas been very busy in consequence. The County Council did good work in clearing the roads as soon as possible with snow ploughs, and men were at work in the township clearing tho footpath:-, and tho cross roads. Communication between the town and the country districts was soon restored, and it was not many hours after tho cessation of the snow boforo tho sheep were being trucked in the railway yard. Tho n.ail services to the country districts wore disorganised for a time, 'but they have- now all been restored, as well as the rural delivery of goods. The roads aro still a trial to man and horse, but the best is being made of the

position, which is nob nearly as bad or? it was thought to be when the snow was falling. Social functions of all sorts came to (i sudden end with tho advent of the snow, and they have not yet been ro- j sunned. A start is to be made on Friday night however, when the members ■of the. Fire Brigade will hold their annual social in the public hall in aid oE j patriotic funds. It is true that a send- ) off eocial was held during the first week of the snoWj but these are loyally carr. : 6d out no matter what the weather may be. Jt i s expected that the social on Friday night will bo largely attended, as it is the first entertainment to break the ice. The members of the Brigade have made special arrangement* for a good evening's amusement, and they expect to reap a good return for patriotic pur- i poses. The school closed automatically when j the snow came, and it will nob be resumed till the playground is olear and fairly dry. The coM mornings and the snow render it inadv'sable to recmen in the meantime. More comfortable • condiiions should.,prevail in. a week or ; two. The school will re-open on July 30 if conditions perndt.