ROTONGARO.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 27 August 1915, Page 3

ROTONGARO.

Own Correspondent. Quite a gloom was cast, over the district, when it became known that Jim Furniss was grievously wounded, at the Dardanelles, the deepest sympathy for his people is expressed in the district. E. A. Sefton left for Trentham this week, with many expressions of goodwill from the settlors Before leaving he asked us to return heartfelt thanks for same. Several others of the young men are enlisting. Seddoii Bregman, and Frank Herbert have sent in their names, also J. Furniss. Leaving Mr Whiteheads, and travelling due north we come to Smith Bros., the surroundings here are very lovely, bounded on the north by the beautiful lake, Whangape. The view is perfect. Dotted round the lake as you look across, are nice homesteads, being hewed out of tire country side. Truly this must,eventually be a prolific district,but the crying need seems to he more capital. Looking round this farm, there are many improvements, the owners have certainly not been idle. Among other improvements I noticed a chaffcutter, driven by a windmill, this is quite a new idea, and seems to work splendidly, and saves a lot of back breaking work. In a snug little cove of the lake I noticed a fine motor launch. A spin on the lake must certainly be very decent. Away on the right can be seen the glint of Lake Rotongaro. Next wo come to S. Bregman, this farm was quite recently a swamp bordering on Lake Rotongaro, but a great change has been effected and in a short time main drains have been put in by the owner, and these appear to have drained the land thoroughly, in fact what was a morass the other day, is now drained, ploughable swamp, and is running a number of cattle and «heep and the owner has started ploughing. A few years ago and this land was looked on as worthless. Surely brains and farming do well together. Other farms on this original .swamp are also getting into a high state of improve-ment, we find great improvements by draining etc, as we go on, notably on farms owned by A. and G. O. Bregman, These swamps when drained must be exceedingly rich, the growth of grasses, especially clovers and cocksfoot, seems to ha quite phenomenal, and seems to be getting ahead of the cattle. The drains all empty in Lake I' f > ton guru.

WAIKOKOWAI. (Oirn Correspondent.) Mr T. Black spent the week end before last at Mr Jamieson’s. Mr A. McKinnon, Sen. paid a visit to Tehi Ear,go recently. Mr Mat’. ' v . was also a visitor to the district for a few days, and his appearance in the saddle gives one the impression that lie must, at one time, have taken a lively Interest in proceeding on the ” turf.” The Church was fairly well attended last Sunday week, when the Rev. R. ; chards preached. Before proceeding to Trentham, Mr E. Sefton paid a visit to the district to say good-bye to his many friends here. It is with great regret that we learn that Mr Jim Furniss v/as rather badly wounded at the Dardanelles.