FAIRFAX (Southland)

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 40

January 30.— We are having a diought. We are not used to it nor prepaied tor it, and not enamoured of it by any means, lhe position is getting veiy serious. Pasture lands are parched and dry looking, oat crops are whitening off far too quickly, and turnips and rape are making little or no piogress Or a number of farms the water si-pnly has petered out, and stock have^ to ba dnven a considerable distance to get a drink I met a farmer a few days ago ridin-' towards the snnthy with a pick over his shoulder. All of his stieams were dry, ■he said, and he was away to get the implement, sharpened preparatory to well-digging, and intended rigging a windmill. Grass Harvest.— The grass harvest is over. The seed was not damaged by ram, but a good deal of it was threshed out by the gales that have- raged almost incessantly of late. Turnips. — Turnip hoeing and thistle cutting are engaging the attention of a good many agriculturists at present. Canadian thistles are worse than usual this season, and tho hopes entertained by a number of settlers that the pest would die out in a few years time are evidently not' to be realised. Bush Fires.— For the last fortnight we have beeo living in a smoky atmosphere. Fires are still raging in the Longwood. and unless we get rain soon, or at any late a ©pell of quiet weather, a great destruction of timber will take place. Sawmillers are having an anxious time. M'Callum and Co. have had a lot of damage done tc their tramways. The other local mill (Timpany's) is still intact, but is in danger as long as the present weather conditions exist. School Picnic. — he annual school picnic, which is to be held at the old favourite spot (Colac Bay), takes place early id February. Fishing.— The Aparima is reduced to the merest trickle, and angleis no longer require gum boots or waders, as they can cast thenTines from side to s:cle without difficulty.