OTOROHANGA NEWS

Waipa Post, Volume 49, Issue 3555, 8 December 1934, Page 7

OTOROHANGA NEWS

TOPICS OF THE HOU/R. A RESTRICTED DOWNPOUR. rOun- Resident Representative.) Heavv rains fell in different parts of this territorv on Thursday evening, for about an hour, although _ none were experienced in the vicinity of Otorohanga. Haymakers on the property cf Mr Rasmussen, of Wna■wharoa, had to abandon nroceedings on account of the sudden deluge, while neighbours, half a mile away, continued with their operations < unHer perfectly drv weather conditions. Both north and south of the town rain fell along the main highway, the eap between being bone dry- thus creating a strance phenomena. No rain has fallen in the township for several weeks nast and the temr perature at the time of writine: records 86 degrees ir the shade. Many farmers are complaining of the shortage of good water for their stock. In some instances, small streams .that were considered permanent sources of supply are now merely bogholes. KEEN DEMAND FOR PIG!S ; . There is a much keener demand for fat and forward pigs, at a rise in values owing to outside buyers operating on behalf of bacon companies. Forward stores are moving in value in sympathy and all yarded at Otorohanga auctions yesterday met with a ready sale, at better values than last week. BEEF REQUIRED. There is a stimulated demand for steer and heifer beef of good quality, and also for quality wethers and hoggets for the metropolitan butcheries. The fact that the embargo on the export of frozen ox and heifer beef in quarters, to the United Kingdom having been removed until further notice would seem also to have stimulated buying activities in these lines. NEW BUTTER FACTORY. The large butter factory now nearing completion for the N.Z. Co-opera-tive Dairy Co., Ltd., on the southern boundary of the town, will be in full operation early in the New Year, the change-over from the old plant (at the northern end of the town) will take place during the latter end o± this month. , The completed structure is the last word in modern butter factories, and is so far the most costly structure of its kind in the King Country, some £20,000. The plant will produce its own electricity for power and lighting and being situated away from the railway, will employ numbers of carriers throughout the year in transporting the butter to the railway yards, and the required commodities to: the'factory. The plant is situated on the Auckland-Wellington main highway, and will serve its numerous patrons (without additional alterations) for very many years to come. The Mangapu and Waipa rivers which flow past;the site, make drainage and sanitation easy.

GREEN BEETLE VISITATION. A plague of green beetles has visited this district and left much destruction in gardens alnd 'orchards in their train. In some instances the beetles have made a perfect clearance of all atone fruit, nectarine and plum trees. The insects were noticed on plum! trees almost as thick as a swarm of bees, and when they departed only the stones of the fruit remained on their stems. Tomato plants also suffered by the visitation, many of these being nipped off at ground level. Although there are white butterflies about again they are not so numerous as was the case last, season.