WHATAWHATA

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 315, 16 July 1898, Page 4

WHATAWHATA

Weather and Roads.--After a spell of thoroughly wintry weather, during which cold westerly winds alternated, in surprising regularity, with cutting showers, frequently accompanied by hailstorms, an improvement seems to be taking place, the last day or two having been milder, and with an absence of heavy rain the land is drying up a bit. As may be supposed, the continued wet, even with reduced traffic, has had a very ill effect upon our sofc clay roads, which, like some of our friends, may be s lid to be more of a fine weather character than otherwise, aurt show up badly in adversity. The main road from the township to Hamilton is now in a muddy and heavy state, and, if much carting goes on, which is very probable no.v that the steam chaffcutter is again working in the district, the roads generally will speedily become a subject for serious concern, and a good deal of chaff and grain may have yet to go out by river. Flax Supply.—The rise in the price of flax is causing some business among those, who have quantities of the green flax growing on their lands. These are finding a ready market at Mr Coates' Hamilton mill, among them being Mr F. Storey, who has a fiuc lot of flax handy to the river, and is now having it cut and put on barges, which will be towed round and unloaded at the mill. Along the Waipa river and up its tributary streams immense quantities of flax are growing, and with such a convenient market, the cutting and handling will give a considerable amount of remunerative employment during the winter. Farming Matters.—Things generally in the district are rather quiet just now. Those settlers who have the land ready are getting in early oats, not much wheat having been sown yet. Milk Question.—The milk question, or, rather, the question of what the prices will be for milk during the ensuing season, is causing a good deal of discussion, and the result of the meetiug of milk suppliers, to be held at Ohaupo on Tuesday next, is awaited with interest. Clarke's Gully.—The culvert at Clarke's gully is completed ; only the approaches have to be done, and the traffic will be resumed. Agricultural Conference. —The report of their experiences in the South by Messrs Fisher and Barugh, laid before the Waikato Farmers' Club, and published in a recent issue of the Waikato Argus, has been read with great interest by Waipa residents. The above gentlemen are regarded as representatives of up-to-date farming and stock-breeding in Waikato, and their views will be received with respect. The action, also, of the Farmers' Club and Pastoral Association in sending delegates to the Southern conference is regarded as sensible and business-like, and should be the means of considerably enlarging the membership of both institutions, though it is at present practically impossible for Waipa members of. the Farmers' Club to attend the monthly meetings. All the proceedings are fully reported, and it is the clear duty of every settler to be a member, aud thus show his sympathy and give his support to a movement, the practical result of which is to draw the farming community together, and by their combined strength and influence obtain reforms aud improvements that by isolated action alone would be utterly hopeless of attainment.