DRUMMOND.

Western Star, Issue 2178, 9 February 1898, Page 3

DRUMMOND.

(feom due own coeeespondent.)

The unseasonableness of the weather is more on the tapis than anything else just: now, and it seems as if we were never to get away from it. The snow has come down to the winter level on the Takitiraos, and a white cap on the Longwood betokens a very low temperature. It is generally allowed in spring that there is not much growth while the snow lies on the Longwood, and no wonder crops a;e not maturing rapidly and the stock easily able to keep the grass under. The ryegrass in the stock has been suffering, and what was uncut must hav® got a considerable shake I have never seen ryegrass so late in being cut before. There are numerous complaints about the linseed crops giving way. It is difficult to know what is to blame for it.. It has been surmised that the winds .were the cause of it. One party was saying he cmfld scarcely observe a stalk gone down in his crop, which is densely thick and heavy. It is possible crops may have suffered most where thin, or there may have been other conditions to cause the loss I do not think an insect is to blame for it. Probably the character of the crop and the weather may be the chief causes. Turnips have started well and some are looking about as well as could be desired at this period. Grain crops are upon the whole both short and thin. There may be some patches fairly good, but they will not thresh out to the acre. A public meeting was called for Wednesday evening, 2nd inst. to get a public hall under way. Very few turned up. The meeting was not sufficiently intimated, and many who did know of it thought it futile attending or doing anything to erect a building on the reserve. There being no security of tenure support cannot be expected, and no improvements will be effected until the people of tbe district obtain their rights, and have absolute control of what belongs to them ; but in the meantime, thev have beelflro shamefully deprived. It will be, as there are parties in the district who are aware of what has been done and the why and the wherefore, and having a stronger sense of justice, and * more capable of knowing the drift of things than some of the members of the Wallace Council seem to be, they hope ere long to see the wrongs of the district righted and the wrong-doers, who seem capable of doing anything to serve their own ends, fully exposed.