LIMESTONE PLAINS

Western Star, Issue 430, 26 March 1881, Page 2

LIMESTONE PLAINS

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) Tour excellent townsman, Mr J. L. McDonald came up here on Tuesday evening last, and addressed a meeting on the subject of the projected “Southland Co-operative Farmers! Assncintioii.” He fully and ably explained the scope and principle of the scheme, and the benefits to the farming population at which it aims. He was addressing a people who were; i but too well alive to the necessity that exists for some such thing and who could understand and appreciate the advantages likely to accrue to them in the event of the thing proving a success. The meetingwas unanimous in declaring for it. It was unlucky that the precise time was when everyone had his hands too full already. All are so engrossed with the urgent labours of the harvest that only such as are at a comparatively short distance wore able to attend. 'Phis drawback, however, is to he' remedied by the holding of another meeting as soon as the imperious necessity of the season’s labours no longer intervenes, when all will have an opportunity of knowing and understanding the precise nature of the scheme, and of offering ifc their support. About hero there is a decided recognition of the necessity of adopting some system by means of which some of the numerous disadvantages under which the farmers are now labouring may te mitigated. It is fo’t that the evils arising from want of union at least should no longer be allowed to hinder the advance of p-os-perity. Harvest labours will very soon ho wound up, if this magnificent weather .

holds out for a little. People seem upon the whole, well pleased with the result of their labours as far as nature’s share in it is concerned ; and the more pleased that they were just very recently apprehensive of untoward consequences froth the exceedingly boisterous weather that set in ; which fears, however,yvrpe happily not realised, all the damages done being very inconsiderable, as fag as I have been able to ascertain.