TUHIKARAMEA.

Waikato Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3606, 13 August 1895, Page 3

TUHIKARAMEA.

Arbob DAT.-Arbor, Day is never overlooked in jfchjs' and, in punuaace of, the usual cuJßtom, a gathering of our resi-r place at ,ttte,echool. grounds on Wednesday>#,, where,.during the alter-, noon many, busy, hands were employed in P}™*W, pruning, etc. the grounds are new .becoming quite, picturesque, but aside worn the neat, appearance, of the flowerbeds,, walks, etc., the 'l»r«er growing trees afforded aßhe!terfor the school and its occupants, from the , kfen winter winds'; which was so much needed. But perhaps ■*■* mostintewßting .feature of ( Arbor Day 7'™ m roy,P°>«»,«»! viev—is, theafteruoon tea with which the ladies' of the district refresh the toilers when the work is all over. J '.' '• -'■ '•■ "y ] :: The ScHppL,-Iri connection with the school, I regret to mention that the health of the teacher, MissJohhston.hjs been very indifferent of late, and this necessitated her leading for Auckland on Friday last. As anything like a prolonged absence of the teacher would reducethe chance of a successful examination of ;;tbe scholar*, this is m ? 7 *° b'!s?s&'', I! have not heard what steps the school committee propose lib take/but nodnubt if Miss Johnston is unable to resume her duties, a substitute will be Rent.'' ; "" '

Danor-A very enjoyable dance came off in the cchbol-room on Friday evening. These entertainments are not over-done in Tuhikaramea, the la9t one being about two months ago, consequently the young people and, perhaps; a few older ones also, are • quite prepared to enjoy themselves, Visitors from Te Ron and Paterangi were present, and with 1 the excellent l music provided by Mr <JL Drabble arid the Messrs Hodgson,' (Mr-8, Reid acting as M;C.) dancing was kept up until an exceedingly early hour, this will read better than a very late hour. Refreshments were provided in abundance, and a most enjoyable evening passed, .

larming PRospj«ts.-The pastures in this district are showing the, effects of the hawr frosts, and keen" southerly winds which have prevailed of late. Thfs is particularly the case along the river flats where the cold always seems to be more intense than upon the higher grounds. Old residents cannot remember the pastures being so bare of feed before, and this they attribute to the severe winter. Old Pirongia looked very pretty recently, with the light coating of snow, which came very far down its slopes. One can imagine the sublime appeararnnce which Ruapuke would present Bay from the little township of Karioi upon one of these cold, clear, winter mornings, snow clad, as it would be, from base to summit, and with the rays of the morning sun sparkling and gleaming from a hundred peaks, a spectacle worth going far to see. Methinks the new Editor will frown at this digression, but one may be forgiveu for such thoughts now that the winter is here, and the snow falling. Tuhikaramea is essentially a sheep district, and in spite of the severe winter the flocks generally speaking, are in fine condi'tion and promise well for a good lambing and shearing, the former is now becoming very general, August being a

favourite month for the purpose, and lambs that are dropped now if well fed will make good weight by Christmas. A good many sheep have also been fattened on turnips for the butcher, but the orogress of.the market isproving very disappointing to graziers, fat shepp (.till. leaping low in pric*, and showing mi margin nf, profit over cost |»ric j , to say inithimr nf the expenses of turnip Knuviner. Considering the heavy and valuable fleece now carried by a bit? long-woolled wether, the mutton cannot ba costing the butcher very muchi However, the risiog tendency of the wool market is a hopeful sign, and if maintained, will mean a good round sum additional to our settlers. The results of. the shipment of Waikato stud sheep to the Sydney market has been watched very keenly by our sheep-farmers, and while regret is felt at the loss sustained by men who have shown both skill and enterprise in their business, much comment is made upon the fact that the breeders of these stud sheep should, prefer the risks and uncertainties of foreign markets rather than accept moderate prices for their stock in the local'markets. For the past two years Waikato bred rams have been cheaper in Sydney than in Waikato, and there is a very general opinion that if the well-known breeders would submit their 'stock at our sheep fairs without reserve, as they apparently do in Sydney, small farmers would be able to purchase good young rams at rates which, would not cost them about Is per lamb aa at present, and the stud breeders would meet with better demand and quicker'sales for their annual drafts, Under' Buch circumstances the old worn-out rams would be sent straight away to the boiling-down works, instead of being sold year aftar year for stud purposes to produce an inferior class of stock. Ploughs are now being set to work in the turnip fields to prepare the land for wheat and oats, and it goes without saying that after turnips fed off with sheep the land should be in grand condition for grain. The Tuhikarameaspil ia mainly of a light nature, but grows roots well, and when treated as above produces heavy crops of wheat, Mr Vickers having grown within a shade of 40 bushels per,acre, and this over a good 6cope. If graiti would only remain at a fair price,'aheep-farmin'g and grain-growing could be worked admirably together, and from the present outlook there seems to bo a fair prospect of this. .