WAITAHUNA NOTES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1890, 23 April 1892, Page 3

WAITAHUNA NOTES.

(From an Occasional Correspondent.)

The sheep dip trial is considered to have been a complete success ; and were it not for the weather and the consequent postponement of the experiment on the advertised day, I believe there would have been a much larger muster of settlers. As it was everything went off most successfully, and the result fully proves the wisdom of the Farmers' Club in providing the settlers with such a convenience. This is particularly so in the case ot small farmers who are not provided with a dip for their private use. The Club are deserving of every praise fortheirenterprise.and have furnished another strong proof not only oftheir usefulness but oftheir claims for support among the settlers. Ir has done much to merit support, and the fact of its member-roll not being much stronger than it is, cau only be accounted for, I suppose, by the general apathy among the great body of thefarmers on matters touching their own interests. There can be very little doubt but the dip will receive plenty of patronage, and will be of much service.

We are just now very much alive hire. I have never seen, any election contest that has excited anything like the interest of the present one. Mr Allen's address on Monday evening has produced a very good effect, and should tell decidedly in his favour. The general opinion is that it was a manly and straightforward speech and mil of practical good-sense. He is evidently a man that may be relied upon, and clearly understands what he talks about, just as he understands the practical needs of the people. His friends here are working quietly but earnestly for him and upon systematic lines. Mr Smith's friends also are very-active, and seem determined to secure all the support they can for their candidate. The latter gentleman is said to have captured the block vote, which should be a considerable help to him. But notwithstanding this, Mr Allen's friends are confident they can give him a good majority here on polling-day. Election results are very ugly quantities to speculate on ; quite as startling, very often, in their results as a horse-race. Yet the feeling here among the settlers in favour of Mr Allen is strong and clearly defined ; and unless something very extraordinary happens, I am decidedly inclined to tip him for first place here in the running. On the other hand, Mr Smith's supporters are of a contrary opinion ;- but those who know anything of elections are aware that hot partisans are not very reliable judges. However, I have indicated the state of feeling and leave your readers to judge for themselves. We had Mr Earnshaw, M.H.R., here on Wednesday and Thursday canvassing in the interests of Mr Smith, but with what success deponent sayeth not I am aware, however, that among the farmers he would be much more likely to injure than to sei've the interests of Mr Smith, as they look upon such interference from outside with very great aversion. They regard it as objectionable in more respects than one. They condemn it, in the first place, as being unfair to Mr Allen ; and they regard it as an insult to their own intelligence that outsiders, no matter who they are, should come to them to dictate or to argue with them on a subject that entirely concerns themselves, and upon which they plume themselves as being quite as well able to form a judgment as Mr Earnshaw or any other interested politician. There is a ring both of sturdy independenc and good sense in this; and it will surprise me very much if this outside interference does not produce an effect the very opposite from what is intended. I hear that we are to have a visit from the Hon. John M'Kenzie also in the course of a few days. I am not aware whether he is to favour us with an address, but he is, I believe, going to spend a little time in the district and, of course, his object is clear. Thisl regard as shameless' and most unfair, and believe me it will be resented. Both candidates should be allowed a fair field and no favour and a straight fight to the close. At present Mr Allen is being double banked on every hand, and is getting anything but a fair show. Harvesting has been finished here fully three weeks ago. The hum of the threshing mill is now heard over the district, and. the settlers are busy getting- their grain into saleable form. So far as I can hear, the grain is turning out well, though not quite as heavy as last year's. There is too much straw ; and where the straw

is rank and strong, the grain is bound to suffer. Yet there is nothing to complain about, and if only prices keep up everything should turn out well. And I need hardly say that this is a consummation devoutly to be wished by the farmers, as their struggles against adverse circumstances during the last few years past have been pretty hard. We are now having a spell of keen, frosty weather. The nights are sharp, but the days are bracing and healthy and very suitable for the work the farmers have now in hand. It ia to be hoped tke threshing may be well on its way to a finish before the weather breaks, as when, it does we may look for a big splash of rain.