KARAKA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 163, 20 January 1914, Page 3

KARAKA.

OBITUARY. There passed away to bis 10-g rest at Karaka on 'lhursr'ay Mr Henry A. A. Urquhart. Deceased, who was 84 years of age, was born in India. Joining the Indian Civil Service he became Inspector of the Native Police in the Madras Presidency. In 1865 he came on a visit to his parent) in New Zealand, ai.d taking a fancy to the couitry decided to stay. After his father's death in 1875 he went to Victoria, but unlucky land speculations brought bim financial loss. He then returned to New Zealand and joined his brothers on their farm in Karaka where he resided until his death. Of recent years Mr Urqukart was very retiring but his sterling character earned for him many friends who will lament his death. Like many quiet men he was very courageous when the test came. An incident showing his plock occurred Bome years ago when Mr Urquhart was past the allotted span of man's life. A nephew somewhere atou* his teens staying on the farm fell down a well. Mr Urquhart wi'hout hesitation slid dowu the well rope after t'lß boy, whom he supported in the water until a female relative, the only other person on tbe farm at the time, secured help from the nearest neighbour, a distance of some two miles. Deceased, who was never married, is survived by one brother. FARMING OPERATIONS. Crops throughout the Karaka have been very good this season. Haymaking operations are nearly concluded, aid everywhere the crops are reported as heavy. Messrs Urquhart had a vary fine crop of oats, 90 acres yielding over 200 tons. The Karaka Land Company had 170 acres in oats and anticipate a yield of over 35 cwt. to the acre. The same lirm are threshing their Western Wolths graßS and expect from 50 seres tD secure 35 bushels to the acre. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that the Karaka Land Company era the largest growers of Western Woltha grass in the Dominion. Italian rye grass is also grown by the Company, and this year they have 25 acres in this grass. The crop is good and will average 40 bushels to the Here. THE POTATO CROP. So far potatoes on the Karaka have been very free from blight and very little spraying has been done. Afked how he accounted for this a piominent farmer said it was because in most cases fresh ground" is used every year. TURNIPS. From all accounts turnips are doing very well and many settlers have had particularly good striker. FAT LAMBS. Tbe first draft of fat lambs, 750 in number, are being sent away by the Karaka Land Company to the freezing work* on Saturday. THE SUMMER GRASS. The hot weather of the past few weeks is having its effect on tbe countryside, and paddocks which before Christmas were grem are rapidly assuming the brown hue of summer.