MATAMATA

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 7066, 25 July 1906, Page 3

MATAMATA

From Our Own Correspondent The weather for the last few daya has been mild and showery at times, quite a contrast to the previous week, which was, like elsewhere, very cold and bleak, with continuous rain. Consequently farming operations were at a standstill, stock felt the rough weather and could be seen Crouched up under every available bit of shelter. The pastures have freshened up with the warmer days of last week, and oat crops are lookirg well, especially early ■»• sown crops. The roads are . ~ry bad in parts, especially where any neavy traffic has been, and in some of the steep grades, wash-outs are frequent. In the hilly part of the settlement there will always be ruts and the yellow greasy nature of the subsoil will make carting in winter almost impossible, far as heavy work is concerned. The Department is carrying out repairs to the hills at the Peria and Puketutu which were needed. The business part of Maramata is to be further iucreased by the starting of another blacksmith, who ha 3 commenced building operations at a very convenient spot near the saleyards, Mr Jlateer, who is a Canterbury man, expects to soon have shop, etc., ereced and from his experience in the trade should meet with a fair aonuut of business, and I hope success. Population means progress, and every addition to our thriving little township helps towards the future welfare of the place. Settlers view with some satisfaction .the di»trihution of poisoned grain, by the Road Board (I hear it is already to h ind), for the destruction of the small birds, a pest very plentiful in this locality. Last seaton several settlers lost considerably through sparrows stripping the oat fcerops. Mr J. Price has all but finished his new house, which is very roomy and adds to the appearance of the place. Mr Mclntyre has his new billiard-room completed, and patront of the cue can wile away the dull evenings in a game of skill. The creamery is expected to reopen in about a fortnight. Rabbits seem to bo gaining ground, and in one week I heard of nearly 100 being trapped, netted, etc., on one section. An- "" other settler informed me that he bad abandoned a river flat paddock of about IJi acres to the little rodents.