WAIMATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20892, 23 November 1937, Page 3

WAIMATE

CROP PROSPECTS MORE RAIN NEEDED The prolonged dry spell in the Waimate district has in many parts of the countryside had a greatly adverse effect on crop prospects, the condition of stock and on the feed problem generally, and it is inevitable that farming returns will be considerably below what they would have been in a normal season. Before the recent rain, two months of hot dry weather had brought the crop position to an acute stage. The timely rainfall has averted the danger of complete failure and has revived the hopes of growers for at least a partial crop. But more rain is still an urgent necessity and one and a half inches of moisture to stimulate the growth of wheat and oat crops and to ensure a good strike for rape and root crops is essential. Since Wednesday last 65 points of rain has fallen in Waimate, freshening up the pastures considerably, but the effects have been nullified to some extent by drying winds since experienced. Wheat sown in the autumn and early winter has stood up to the absence of moisture much better than the wheat sown in the late winter and spring, and provided sufficient rata falls to keep it from coming too soon to maturity, the crops should be fairly good. The same considerations apply to the oat crops. It is evident from a bird’s eye view of the district that much less land than usual has been sown down In wheat this season.

Land has been in preparation for rape and root crops for some time and in many Instances the ground has been given a good deal of work, perhaps too much for a dry season. Some farmers follow the rule of sawing when the ground is ready. Others, perhaps more cautious, have not sown until they saw a chance of getting a good strike. In consequence, stock firms have recently been faced with a rush of orders for swede, turnips, rape and grass seeds. If showery weather continues, these crops will serve the purpose for which they are intended, but had the rain not come when it did farmers would have been faced with difficulty in fattening their store lambs and sheep. Because of the cold winds and frosts during the early part of the season, grass pastures have not grown to any extent and the lack of moisture’ over several weeks has left no roughness in the paddock to carry stock. Had the spring been favourable, the paddocks would not now be so bare. The grass grub has also been active in the district and has added its quota to the food shortage. Early rain will certainly improve the pastures, but the absence of spring growth should be felt throughout the season.

Lambs generally are doing well and have withstood the dry spell very satisfactorily. Fair drafts of fat lambs should be taken from the mothers, though the indications are that it will be later in the season before the lambs are sent away. So far the market for forward buying has not revived after the collapse due to the drought conditions, and it unlikely that the forward business this year will approach that done in former years. The areas hardest hit by the drought have been the lands bordering the Waltakl and on the lower reaches of Morven and Waihaorunga. The dry weather, on the contrary, suits the Hunter district, and while there has been no abundance of feed, Hunter farmers have been able to keep their own stock and in some instances have grazed many from districts where feed conditions were not so good. The lands under irrigation at Redcliff, which are oases of green in an area which has sadly felt the effects of the drought, have proved an eyeopened to visiting farmers and are object lesson of what irrigation will accomplish. It is a common sight on irrigated fields to see from 12 to 15 ewes and lambs to the acre depasturing on clover and grass up to the knees. Shearing is becoming general in the district and the wool is coming off very bright and clean. The wool Is lighter this year, about 21b less than that of the last few seasons. The sheep are coming out of the wool in fairly good condition. That the Waihaorunga district has not fared the worst in the drought is the opinion of a Waihaorunga farmer, although fed is very short. Little cropping has been done in the district. What has been sown has not done wel, but should not turn out an absolute failure. Very little wheat has been sown this year, the acreage being estimated at a third of that sown last season. Farmers are now busy sowing rape and would welcome more rain. With perhaps a slight check the stock have come through in good order and a fair percentage of lambs was secured. Preparations for shearing are in hand, and most of the dry sheep have already been shorn. Farmers are keeping an anxious eye on the wool market.

Many farms in the Waihao Downs and Waihao Forks areas have suffered a setback from the dry weather, stated a farmer from the district. The pastures are six weeks too far advanced and have started to bum off. The lambs, however, have done well, In spite of the shortage of feed.

Wheat sown in land ploughed early and sown In the autumn has withstood the drought remarkably well and will still give good yields. On the

other hand, spring wheat sown In land not properly worked Is doing very poorly. A similar report on the wheat crops comes from Studholme. Oats appear to have received the greatest set back.

Not all farmers are pessimistic as to the season's prospects, but the unanimous opinion Is that early and copious rain Is essential to make the most of present possibilities.

TROPHIES PRESENTED HOOK MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB The annual ball and presentation of trophies of the Hook Miniature Rifle Club proved a successful end of season function. The president, Mr C. Rose, on behalf of the club, thanked the donors of the various trophies apd expressed appreciation of the assistance given to the club during the season. The trophies were presented by Mr H. H. Meyer. The club championship was won by L. Ratpgen, the runner-up being A. Kingsbury. The junior championship (trophy given by Mr H- B. L. Johnstone) was won by R. Gabites, the runner-up being H. Mason. The chib aggregate prize, given by Mr E. Gybes, was won by C. Alexander.

The winners of trophies were as follows: Mr A. Kingsbury’s No. 1, C. Alexander; A. Kingsbury's No. 2, F. Grayson; J. Tiffen’s, F. Medllcott; D. Wilson’s, A. Burneß; Medlicott’s No. 1, R. Campbell; F. Medlicott’s No. 2, L. Rathgen; F. Grayson's, A. Kingsbury; E. Welken’s, F. Carter; G. Mackenzie's, P. Newall; C. Medlicott’s No. I, W. Dempsey; H. Henderson's, R. Wilson; J. Alexander's, R. Gabites; W. Bell's, W. Richards; S. Landley's, F. Carter; W. Richard’s, J. Medllcott: J. Medlicott’s, H. Mason; S. Medlicott’s A. Burness; S. Medlicott’s No. 2, □. Wilson; J. Dempsey’s, H. Henderson; J. Medlicott’s, J. Steward; club trophy, S. Rathgen.

TENNIS WAIMATE B2 v. ST. PATRICK’S In the B grade competition Waimate B2 beat St. Patrick’s by 12 sets to 4. Scores (Waimate names first): Men's Singles: W. George lost to P. Hannifin 2-7; R. Ford beat P. Hynes 7-2; D. Taylor beat T. Hannifin 7-5; C. McMaster beat G. Clent 7-4. Women’s Singles: Miss Crichton beat Miss M. Whelan 6-2; Miss White: beat Miss Leonard 6-3; Mrs Vucetich beat Miss Dillon 6-5; Mrs Owens beat Miss Hannifin 6-4. Men’s Doubles: George and Ford lost to P. Hannifin and Hynes 5-7; Don Taylor and McMaster beat T. Hannifin and Clent 7-6. Women’s Doubles: Misses Crichton and White beat Misses Whelan and Leonard 6-1; Mesdames Vucetich and Owens lost to Misses Dillon and Hannifin 3-6. Mixed Doubles: Miss Crichton and George beat Miss Whelan and P. Hannifin 6-5; Miss White and Ford beat Miss Leonard and Hynes 6-1; Mrs Vucetich and Taylor lost to Miss Hannifin and T. Hannifin 5-6; Mrs Owens and McMaster beat Miss Dillon and Clent 6-4.

WAIHAO RIVER LOW The Waihao River is now very low. During the week-end members of the Waimate Acclimatisation Society were busy shifting further trout upstream. Fishing in the Waitaki above the Stonewall at the week-end, a member of the Acclimatisation Society, Mr J. Mumford, grassed three beautiful trout. PERSONAL Mr W. Harrison left yesterday to take up a position in Christchurch. Miss Alice Osborne, Waimate, has returned from Wellington where she was the guest of Mrs B. Sutherland, Karori. Mr and Mrs W. J. Welsh, Parsonage Road, returned home on Friday after spending a month’s holiday in North Canterbury. “Procter’s," the opticians, Christchurch, will be making their next professional visit to Waimate on Wednesday and Thursday, Bth and 9th December, when they may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Royal Hotel. Appointments can now be made by ringing the Royal Hotel (’Phone No 15). ..