WAIKAKA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 540, 8 February 1913, Page 6

WAIKAKA.

Own Correspondent. Shearing is just completd, the season throughout being marked by ideal shearing weather. The quantity and quality of the clip was much better than was the case last year Mr K. McLean's lamb clip averaged 3|lbs per lamb, which is a record. The unusually good prices prevailing should compensate settlers for the losses experienced last season. Dry weather was experienced last week, and a good deal of burning off was done. The burns this year have exceptionally clean, and bush which could not be fired last year has fired very well. In some cases a good deal of undergrowth came up through the bush felled last year, but this did not cause a great deal of trouble as the fallen bush was dry enough to permit of a clean sweep being made. Owing to good burns a large area will be made available for grassing, and there is every indication that later on, when the young feed gets away, there will be a big demand for young stock, consequently prices are sure to be exceptionally high. Those who live in town do not realise the extent of the hardships endured by those who take up land in a new district. A case in point is the scandalous treatment meted out to a nusiber of settlers on the MokauOhura road. I refer to that portion of the so-called road between the Waikaka bridge and the Mangakahikatea stream, which, during the winter months is a poor apology for a pig track. During last winter the lives of these settlers whose sections adjoin this pig track was a perfect misery. Has the Government no money? Are the sums on the Estimates bogus? It is too much to expect settlers in isolated districts to endura the hardships of backblock life for a longer period than is necessary, and the present plight of these settlers is a living disgrace to any Government.