District News.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 11 June 1915, Page 2

District News.

ROTONGARO. Own Correspondent. Latterly I have been for a trip round the country that lies between the Lakes Waikare, Rotongaro, W aahi, and Whangape, and it is marvellous to see the way this country is being subdued, and generally speaking by the latest modes of scientific farming. Thousands of acres round here were in ti tree, fern and all sorts of rubbish five years ago and less. To-day theyjare on the way to becoming what may be justly termed smiling homesteads. Leaving the Waahi Maro settlement, we come to a block comprising several hundred acres owned by Mr J. J. Craig. Quite recently this was ti-tree and earning nothing, to-day it is all grass, oats and turnips, fenced, and drained. As we go on towards Rotongaro we next see a farm belonging to Mr Comins. Again we find great improvements, hundreds of acres fenced, mostly all in good grass, subdivided, shelter trees, lovely orchard, milking 40 to 50 cows, home separation, cream sent to the factory two or three times a week —and, J>y the way, home separation appears to be a great boon to the back districts, especially where roads are not too good. Just along a bit and we come to a farm owned by Mr Fred Capestnk, where again we find great improvements—fencing. grassing, ploughing—indeed ast summer in spite of the drought Mr Capstick had a crop of oatshenves that turned out nearly two tons to the acre. Nex; week I will take you a little further along and tell you of more improvements.

Smith Bros. Whangape, had the misfortune to lose a valuable working horse this week, they had another one taken ill, but got the vet. in in time to save it. The residents are getting up a Fancy Dress Ball in aid of the Hospital Ship Fund. We are glad to see Mr Capstick about again after his accident. The many friends of Mr E. A. Sefton of the 16th Waikato’s will be pleased to hear that he is getting over his operation nicely and expects to be out of the hospital in about a fortnight.