OKURU NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1925, Page 4

OKURU NOTES

(From a Correspondent). OK FRF, Nov. 20. Mr Erie James has been appointed local weather and rainfall observer in succession lo Air J. Cutiniiee. who has retired in private lile in Hokitika. .Much interest is shown in experimental crops grown hv the same settler (Mr James), who Inis shown Ins willingness to co-operate with the fields division in iryingn out various loragc crops, grasses and clovers, manures, etc., and should he ol much value to all settlers of the district. The amount sown at present is:—1. One acre, dun oats with partridge peas and with a surlace sowing el cocksfoot, tymoihy, rye, and cowgrass and turnips. The addition ot turnips has alreadv proved a great so,.ess „„ a plot S..WO l.y .Mr A. Cron at Hn.nst. Alter the oats were cut l } R . turnips mi’cw to nnmouse* stzt* oven alter their tops were cut off by the mower. This astonished all who stu the. crop's developed. 2. Due and a hall ;c i> s ol A ':,-r----d.'eii green top turnips tiwo thirds), while line third was swede (owing to hags burst ing i it rutile) ami hemming mixed with i lie soil turnips. 3. One acre of algcrinn oast and tares, with surlace growing ei mixed grasses, turnips and clovers. All the above imps were sown early in November, while the following are to follow al the end of November. (a) Three aerosol (’hull .Moiellier. or narrow stemmed kale. 'lbis crop grows tilt high and slock relish both I lie enormous quantity ol leaves and lhe s- u< <-ii Ic n I t"iiis which grow very (hick, and are lo he sown a! Ibe rate id one |li. to llie acre. This should prove a valuable crop for dairy larmors who desire to milk throughout the winter. (ID Half acre of Hilda Kale. Tin* crop' can be fed oil' many times. (o') Thousand-1 leaded Kale. (■I) Kulil-Rabi. Io) K ing I land Alcillnie. All plots are acre of each variety, while smaller plots ol all well-known grasses, Bokhara clover, Egyptian (lover. Red Canary grass, Guinea grass. Subterranean gras-, and other new grasses to this district have been sow n. Lotus aligns, fescues. New Zealand liee grass, mustard, sheep's parsley, salt hush and kidney veleli have yet to he sown. Many new and foreign plants and grasses are on order. An experiment will also lie made on peal swamps later in the season. Mr Reid, representative of Reid Bros., milking plant mniiulaclurers. C'liristeliurch, is in the district installing a milking plant fur Alcxsrs Harris Bros.. ITulink:i. Mr ('. Ili'dgkinsoii is culling nut (leer in the Wills Valley. It is nearly time action was taken to destroy and check this pest. Large areas of Inish have been destroyed. leaving on I v lhe ih-ad timber and scrub. XOA'F.MBFR. 31). Recent late frosts have totally destroyed marrow, cucumber anil runner bean i-ropo and has bail its had effect on potatoes. An unusual large number put. in an appearance at the monthly euchre and da nee- held at the Public Hall. Useful prizes were secured by Mrs J. Harris, first. Airs F. James, second. and .Messrs McGuire and Nolan were the successful gentleman. Dancing commenced at I l p.m., and was carried on until the early hours. 'The Hour was packed to its fullest, capacity. Aliss Ivy Cron is home on leave after an absence of two years nursing at Nelson. RECEAUBER. 3. Miss 1 loldsworth has returned to the East Coast, having spent a lengiliy holiday with friends here. She returned via the Haast Pass, a route now becoming very popular. •Severe wet weather is holding up sowing and kindred operations. The ketch “Elsie” is expected about the sixth ilist. with general cargo. .Mr ,T. Cuttnnce has received a small donation in recognition ot twentyseven years continuous service as Postmaster and Telephonist at Okuru from the Secretary of the General Po-t Dliice. It must not be overlooked. !tis worthy deputy. Airs Cuuanie is intended also to he included in this recognition. Airs Cutiaiice's oon-cirii-tous attention to the duties of this office during the whole period is worthy of praise. Mr A. I level'll lias returned to Okuru after an extended stay North.