LOWER WHAREAMA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 275, 27 September 1879, Page 2

LOWER WHAREAMA.

(from an occasional correspondent.) Sept, 22,1879. Fine weather during the last ten days has enabled grain sowing to be allbuh completed. A considerable area has beei sown with oats on the Langdale, lea, aril Riversdale properties. A downfall of rain to-day will be an advantage to these crops and the grass generally throughout the district.

Landholders here are thinking of growing turnips on an extensive scale. This, if carried out, is a step in the right direction, and if properly undertaken will return a handsome profit direct and indirect. The soil in this neighborhood seems well adapted to turnip growing, and for fattening stock I can imagine nothing that will pay equal to it here, At present it is out of the question growing grain for export with any idea of profit. Bad roads and high rates of cartago will, I fear, militate against this industry for some time to come. If a steamer could be obtained to trade in and out of the Whareama river conditions would be materially altered in this matter; several thousand acres of first-class land on the banks of the river could then be cropped with good results.

Lambing is nearly over on most of the sheep runs. The weather of late has been very favorable, and there is every chance of a good percentage of lambs. Fat wethers are being shcrn on some of the stations, sheepfarmers no doubt wishing to reap the advantages of the prices now ruling in the market. The general shearing will commence about the middle (,f ('ctoher. I hear the price is to be 17s Gd \ or 100. Scab still keeps a tenacious hold on some of the runs here. It is to be hoped the fines lately inflicted will rouse owners of infected flocks to cure them.

Rabbits are steadily increasing throughout the Whareama district. Owners of land should bestir themselves at once to keep this pest under, or it will soon assume serious dimensions. A start might be made by clearing out all the gorse on the properties here. Nothing harbors rabbits more or is worse to get them out of.. The banks of the Whareama from Tenui to the sea bid fair to become one mass of gorso unless strenuous efforts are made tp eradicate it. Cover is the rabl its' strong- ' hold, and anything that will tend to lessen it will be of {.radical value. The Rabbit Act in its present form does not appear of much use. Perhaps during the present session of Parliament a more workable Act will be passed. If Sir G. Grey's much-vaunted solicitude for the welfare of posterity is genuine, he may in this direction surely find ample scope to exercise it by devising such a measure as will tend to abate if not stop this plague of rodents; for if something practicable is not soon effected future generations of mankind in New Zealand stand a/fair chance of being starved out of the coi/wry. The Library at Tenui is a great boon to the inhabitants of the district. Theris seine grumbling, however, on accoujratf the committeo not having expendiße Government grant in getting new baus. A few periodicals would be a pleasing addition to the stock of yellow-back novels at present on hand. The Rev Mr Gossett held the usual j®| seivice at Tenui on Sunday last. A meet- *** ing of church members was held afterwards to sleet church officers, or, more strictly speaking, persons to act as collec- ' tors of subscriptions towards the maintenance of a clergyman in this district. The following gentlemen were appointed: Mr R, Maunsell, Treasurer; and Messrs J. Groves, J. Langdon, and T. Mackay, Collectors. The district will soon be canvassed for subscriptions, and it is hoped people will give liberally towards the support of Mr Gossett, for I feel sure most people will agree that he is worthy of it, and deserves especial praise for the persevering manner in which he has carried on the regular services at Tenui this winter in the face of inclement weather and bad roads. Masterton being about to be , formed into a parish, this district will be

entirely under Mr Gossett's charge, and I understand he intends to hold services at several places on the East Coast as well as at Tenui and Bideford. This will supply a want to tho Coast people that they roust have long felt, and let us hopo they will show their appreciation of it in a tangible form when the collectors call for donations,