WAIROA (Hawke's Bay).

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 38

WAIROA (Hawke's Bay).

August 30. — Now thai the £rea>d season of year in these parts can- now be considered pretty safely past, a few notes maji not be amiss. Along the frontal ranges and lower southern flats an excellent season ha 3 been experienced, while along the north-western Slopes the winter lias . been rather a trying one for stock. Though tho va.rioue falls of snow have not been heavy they have" been frequent; and otherwise very unsettled inclement weather has prevailed. ' Up 1 to present the spring is suggestive of a' continuance of this kind of weather, which is reafljj more taxing on the constitution of stock than much heavier snow and ooJd, frosty weather when dry. It is quite possible that the cKp will no* come off the sheep in the best of condition, and certainly it

fc~ sure to be light, an advantage to. th© fcuyer—if the grower does not ecour— ■which, by-the-bye, proved a great benefit to those who did so last seasan, a3 it not only ddrectly, but in the indirect way dnfluenoed shipping in lieu of sellinglocally, thus reaping an advantage of fully 20 per cent.— not a bad dividend on a 200 to 300-bale clip! s There is money still in those way-back hillside slopes, if not gold in the creeks. Subdivision.— The question of subdivision is a good deal discussed Like all questions, it has two sides, either of which attracts attention according to the view taken. When one has listened to the ■various advocates it would appear that the simplest and most practical thing for the "big landlord" to do would be to exercise his authority and take over all freehold property at 10 ceir cent, on its rateable value, and parcel out the whole on one comprehensive scale. This would, it is ooretend'ed, not only adequately compensate them in the one case, but, on the other hand, return others of their white elephants, in homesteads, without adequate land for their profitable utilisation, and further make the present holders, or their dependents, eligible co go to the ballot, when the paroelU?d--out blocks gt>" up. The ballot is practically admitted to be the most equitable, though tihere are thoee ■who advocate tender, and that f.rom the landlords' t>oint of view, has something to commend it. - Sportijxjr. — There has been some talk about reviving the local Racing dub, if only to burst up the little nest egg, but ©there prefer to allow th© .club to lie dormant for another rear, wfoan an army of new residents is anticipated as the result of the subdivision of the runs. Ball.— The bachelors of the district held their annual ball at Burkes Pass, th© leathering being in every way a success. The music was" supplifjd by Mfefars Binnie and Bannerton. of\ Fairlie, while Messrs Allen and Alannering were' masters of ceremonies. Miss Henderson contributed some vocal selections, while the- refreshments weirc supplied by lady friends.