COUNTRY NEWS,

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2067, 19 December 1907, Page 1

COUNTRY NEWS,

TE KARAKA. (l>’rom our own Correspondent.) Ear anally weeks past the weather ill To ICaraku lias been terribly hot and no rain lias fallen to moisten the hard, dry, surface of the ground. Everything lias a dry, parched appearance and the grass covering the surrounding hills is dry and brown and scarcely fit to be consumed by the animals grazing thereon. This dry weather is a great advantage to the sheejifarmers who are able to complete their shearing without being once storpped by rain, which is certainly a .record for this district. The crops of oats growing about here have ripened to perfection, and when the evening sun is setting the ripe crops have a golden yellow appearance, pleasing to the eye of the owner. One or two of the crojis are already cut and stooked, and will soon be lit for sticking. Atost of the hay crons have ripened before their time and the farmers were forced to cut the grass before it reached its proper height. The dust on the roads m this district- is-ankle deep, and constant clouds of dust . envelop the roads. Tlio weather is perfect- for the farmers to burn their fallen bush, which, being dry. is biirningspleaulidly, and on all sides one can see the thick clouds of smoke issuing from the vast fires. If this hot weather continues much longer potatoes and other vegetables will become wither-

ed,' and the potatoes will not have a good finish. Very .few people are fortunate enough to have water in their tanks, and in tile evenings those without water are to he seen with barrels, buckets and milk-cans bringing water from the river. ■ PORT AAA'ANUI. (from OUR CORRESPONDENT.) The Native Land Commission lias been sitting at AA’aiomatatiiii the early part of this week, and have now finished. There is no prospect of any land being thrown open for sale, as the Natives told the Commissioners there was scarcely land enough to go round. That is, I suppose, giving about 1000 acres of land to every man, woman, and child. One Native got a lease of 14,000 acres at Gd per acre: good two-sheep per acre country. If they lease large areas liko this no wonder the .land won’t go round and there is none for sale. Advance Awninii! Three steamers and Captain Skinner’s schooner, all with cargoes, this week loading and unloading, have made'the port quite busy. Tlio wharf is a great .improvement for handling goods, etc. AYool is coming in steadily, and most will have good clips. The S.M. Court- will hold its sittings on Monday, and 1 think Mr. Barton will have a hard day’s work. Several cases are coming from Te Araroa.