Page 4 Advertisements Column 5

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2009, 19 February 1907, Page 4

“THE DROUGHT.” WHAT THE NEWSPAPERS SAY. Tho long spoil of dry woat'hor, particularly in tho South, is having a marked olfoct on crops and pastures. In many instances perhaps tho actual dainago caused by the “drought'” has boon somowhat over-estimated, but a perusal of tho newspapers of tho colony shows that serious results will have to ho faced in not a tow cases, and the not losses caused by tho unusual dryness ol' tho weather for such a lengthy period must bo a serious thing for tho agricultural community. in tho great grain-growing districts of Canterbury and Otago, the effect will be most felt; oven in tho North Island farmers are complaining that their aggregate yields will be considerably depleted. The Wairarapa Daily Times, writing about the show to be hold shortly, says:—“The entries are, nevertheless, considered highly satisfactory, especially so in view of the unprecedented drought, which has been responsible for an abnormal scarcity of green feed.” lint (here is another side to the picture. Tho Wairoro correspondent of the same paper writes that “a fall in the temperature of late has changed the sunburnt appearance of pastures to nil emerald into,” and that stock are in excellent condition, “largo drafts for freezing purposes being frequently taken from the district.” The Wnirnrnpn Nows also mentions that “one of the most remarkable crops ’of wheat in tho colony is that owned by the Maoris at To Wliiti. Measured, the grain stands 7ft. 2in. in height in many places, and the yield is in proportion to the size of the stalks. The strength did not go into straw._ It was found impossible to use the binder on the crop in the heaviest parts. Tho knife was lifted loin, from the ground, but tho burden even then was too heavy, and tho machine revolved the reverse way. Scythes had to bo used in these portions of the crop.” In the Manawatu, too, it appears that' pasture is good. In the Makuri district “there is an abundance of feed on all sides and stock is in splendid condition,” according to tho Palmerston Times. It’ is also stated that “harvesting operations have been pushed along with increased activity during the last two weeks in all parts of the Manawatu. Contrary to expectations, a great number of the late oat crops will show better result than was at first anticipated.” Across tho striiit in Nelson, the dry weather has had its baneful effects, particularly on hop cultivation. Thu Colonist says that “tho present season has proved far from satisfactory from the hop growers’ point of view. In tho first place, the vine was so late getting a start, and owing to tho dry season made such slow progress that even at Christmas time few had reached the tops of the polos. The heavy rain, however, came, on just in the nick of time, and since then general improvement in tho growth and quality of the vino has been everywhere noticeable. Unfortunately tho present spell of dry weather lias encouraged tho spread of the red spider, and it has only been by tlio strenuous efforts of the growers that the pest has been held in check. From Canterbury a somowhat serious state of affairs is reported. Tho Rotterhnm correspondent of the Lyttelton Times writes:—Will it ever rain again? is tho question asked on all hands. It is difficult to see how , many of tho settlers can carry their I stock through the winter. Even now they are practically destitute of feed, and unless rain conies soon there will be no fresh growth this season. Harvesting is going on apace, and farmers are experiencing no difficulty in saving their crops.” In Akaroa the dry weather is reported to be getting more serious. The Mail states that “last week has made a great difference in tho feed, and stock are beginning to show the effects of the continuous dry weather.” As the weeks pass by and tho end of tho drought seems to bo as far off as ever, the effect of the scarcity of feed and water in sheep and cattle (says the Oamaru Mail) is becoming alarmingly apparent, and the question ot making some suitable provision for the sustenance of stock is one that farmers will have to seriously grapple with. It is becoming quite a common sight to see both slieep and cattle lying dead in the paddocks, the death of which can he clearly attributable to the distress caused by the unprecedentedly dry season. It has boon suggested that a trial shipment of cattle should lie sent to the North Island, where food is known to bo plentiful, and where there is a possible market. The whole of the water in the Pareora River (South Canterbury) at the dam is being taken into the race, but a surplus is turned back again. This is the lowest level since the dam was constructed twenty-five years ,ag°-

Time was when the sending of oats to the Hampden would be counted almost* as ridiculous as the sending of coals to Newcastle. Yet this (says the Oamaru Mail) is what is actually happening in connection with the famed oat-producing district at the present time. In Otago the dairy industry has been badly affected by the dry weather, and the condition at present is regarded as very serious. The' manager of the Taieri and Peninsula Dairy Company, according to the manager, Mr. IV. J. Bolt, speaking to a Press reporter, said: “In ordinary circumstances at this time of the year the output of butter from our Dunedin and Oamaru factories is about twelve tons per day. At the present time it is under eight' tons per day, and Iks conditions arc becoming worse daily. As a matter of fact, unless rain comes very shortly, the great* majority of our cream crier north of Dunedin will have to bo closed down. There is no more grass in the places round Oamaru than there is on the floor of this room. Almost from Lawrence right up to Alexandra along the main road nothing but parched and barren country meets the eye.

Looking over too map of tlio world, and having knowledge of tlio events which have happened during the sixty-seven years of New Zealand’s colonised condition, it must be acknowledged that New Zealand has been blessed beyond nearly all other countries, and that to call'it “ God’s own country” is something more than a figure of speech.—Dargaville 8011. If this story were not well authenticated it woidd fall under the suspicion of being a variant of an ancient chestnut: On a recent voyage of an intercolonial liner between Sydney and Auckland, the alleyway steward was puzzled one night at finding a gold watch and chain alongside the boots put out from a particular cabin for his attention. Also, the number of boots from that cabin was one pair short. On peering in to look for the missing brogues, he found the explanation of the watch mystery. The owner of both had placed his watch and chain outside the cabin door to be cleaned, and deposited his boots under his pillow, and had then gone, peacefully to sleep. It may be superfluous to add that something stronger than lemonyado had been broached for him that evening.—Observer. A comedy, which was almost a tragedy, developed in Kawakawa the other day in the course of a dance which followed a race meeting. A Maori, whose wife had taken the liberty to decamp with a colored tortium quid, peeped in at tlio door of the ball, and beheld bis faithless waliine gyrating merrily in a waltz with her swain. “My gorry !” exclaimed the outraged husband, “ my wife dance with that ferrn. Suppose I. go to them.” “Supose you pay your bob,” replied the doorkeeper, with no apparent sense of the pathos of the situation. But the “bob” was too much for the Maori’s desire for vengeance, and he departed—to be found later hanging by the neck to a tiee. However, be was promptly cut down, and, as he was by no means dead, they propped him up in the dock at the police court, where he expiated his crime to the tune of £2. Thus was a promising romance brought to a prosaic ending. Observer.

THE NURSING MOTHER Who uses Dr. Sheldon’s Digestive Tabules not only keeps her own stomach perfectly regulated, but imparts the glow of health to tho cheek of her babe. Dr. Sheldon’s Digestive Tabules are mild but infallible. For sale by A. "W. J. Mann, Agent, Chemist. WEAK BACKS. The weak spot In many men and women is the back. It gives out before the other part of the body. It gets tired and aches terribly after a clay’s work or night’s pleasure. A tired, weak hack, pulls a person right down and renders life miserable. The kidneys are often supposed to be the cause, but usually the muscles and tendons in the back have been strained. Dr. Sheldon’s . Magnetic Liniment' is the proper and only permanent remedy. Rub it into the pores of tho back, and a feeling of renewed strength and vigor will come immediately, and a low such treatments will fix you up all right. Dr. Sheldon’s Magnetic Liniment takes out soreness and inflammation. It invigorates and freshens all tho muscular tissues. It contains ingredients | that you never used before. For sale I by A. \V. J. Mann, Agent, Chemist. I