DISTRICT NEWS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 143, 9 February 1916, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS

MARAMARUA.

MAUKU.

Our travelling representative writes Following np the report in a recent issue ot a big load of wool taken from Mt McKillop's farm Ihere is an interesting incident, which has not hithertD been chronicled, in with a load of wool, thai wffs being carted from the same farm some years Bgo. On that occasion it was the owner himself who was the carter, and in those days the roads were in very different order t) what they are tc-day, and if some of the present d <y growlers bad to cuntend with the grades and bridging accommodation of those times they might well have a just complaint. However, the load of wool, some eight bales, was negotiated safely as far as the eroding over the Mangatangi, when the bank suddenly gave way, and the horses, waggon, wool and driver were summarily precipitated into the stream. After some conaiderabe trouble the horses and driver reached the bank in safety, but the waol and waggon remained submerged in tfce river. It was almoßt incredible tbe quantity rf water those bales sopped up, and in a short, time their weight rose from about four to twenty hundredweight each. They became as tight as drums, and almost round so that great difficulty was experienced in getting them out. Ultimately the task was accomplished, the bales were opened and the wool spreal over the adjoining paddocks to dry. The owner's temper was sorely tried in about a week's time, which was just as often as the mail arrived, when he received an account from the Hail way Departfor demurrage on a truck snd sheets. However, a kindly stationmaster at Pokeno was able to get that charge cancelled, and so relieved the tension. But Mr Shenpfarmer was a shrewd man, and when ultimately the wool was marketed it was cunsigned as "scoured wool" and realised 2d to 3d per lb more for th 3 "washing" in the Mangatangi

PAPAKURA.

A function of a private nature was tendered Mr Yardley, late representative of the "limes," in the Globe Hotel, on Friday evening last. Mr E S Cole presided and with other speakers made eulogistic references to the work Mr Yardley bad accomplished during his short stay in the district and expressed regret at his early departure, althuoh they were all very pleased to hear that ha was about to take over a very important position on another Waikato journal

The demand for farms in and around Papakura cntinues. The majority of the projected purchasers are interested in dairy farming and intend, if deals are made, to proceed ac:ordingly. One of the applicants, however, is Mr A C Gribble, of Auckland, the noted pig breeder, who is anxious to procure a farm near the railway to follow his calling, The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee was held last Mondav, the Kev Madill presiding. All the members were present, and tinal arrangements for the school picnic to be held shortly were made

Improvements on an extensive gcale have completely transformed the Fapakura Hotel, bringing it into line with the first-class hotels ot the Waikato. The general management is also worthy ot mention, and should command the patronage of those desirous of comfort and attention

BOMBAY.

OBSERVATIONS AT BOMBAY [By our Travelling Representative]

To quite a casual observer the green fields and wealth of feed round this district is quite apparent, bjt when one comes to visit the farms systematically it is particularly noticeable. Bombay's fields seem to be a much brighter green than other districts, whether it is that Bombay has been blessed with more rain, or whether the farmers have used Getter methods in their culture, 1 catinot say. Peibaps it is both. However, the fact remains that Bombay at present looks exceptionally preen. One thing th 3 farmers siem to study ia the provision ot plenty ot early turnips and maize tu keep the cows going when the pastures begin to dry. On most of the farms I vi9ited soft turnips bad been fed out t> the cows for weekß past and this is perhaps the reason whv the milk yield has kept up fo remarkably well in comparison to other areas.

On one larm, Mr W T Baker's, I found the owner feeding out field peas. Tfcc crop was a splendid one, full ut pods, and the green stuff was greatly relished by a choice looking herd of dairy cows Sines last 1 visited this psrt of Bombay there have been several changes and great improvements have been effected to many of the farms. Though it is not my intention to make comparipon, 1 don't think anyone would object to Mr Shaw's larm being mentioned. This place is really in fine order, and is showing the owner a profitable reward for his labour. Mr Shaw is an authority on potato culture, and the crops at present to be seen indicate how adaptable the Bombay soil in to this tuber, and with scientific management what magnificent results can be forthcoming. Here 1 also was übown about four acres of pumpkins, now completely covering the ground with «ineß and plenty of fruit already snowing. Pumpkins are also a crop that can be made to pay well, and cartainly do not entail all the arduous libour of potatoes. Last year Mr Shaw's pumpkin crop averaged about eight tons per acre, and the pumpkins sold at from £6 to £8 per ton. When I heard thi3 1 mentally decide ) that 1 would plant all land I possessed in "Iron Bark" or "Turk's Heart" next season. However, be that as it the crop has evidently been a profitable one to Mr Shaw. The Mr Shaw's to the main ®.V I'apuruta road i» fairly stfep, hut wh p " ono B p,a >'P a mignifi' enl panorama meets the eye The country below, right as tar as the Manukau and all over jwu^Mliilrilrilllllllll

farms, the view being much more distinctive than from I'ukekohe Hill

I worked out Paparata way as far as Mr T Roberts property, and everywhere I notice a msrked improvement and evidence of more intunser cultivation since visiting there some few years ago. 1 ra«ber fancy that the high price of butter fat bas caused these progressive farmers to use every method that would indue® a greater milk yield Another eound of progress will soon be ringing in several homesteads, for the following settlers Have decided to install the telephone and so come up-to-date, viz Messrs R McCowan, J Evans, 0 Pruude, S Allison, K Cornthwaite and Tanrer. They will be the first la Bombay to advance in this respect

MERCER.

WAIKATO RIVEK NAVIGATION At the meeting of tbe Kirikinroa Road Board, held on Monday, an appeal for support cf representations to the Government, for funds towards clearing the Waikato river, from Mercer to Huntly, was received from Mr A 0 on behalf of the petitioners ta tbe Waikato River Board. Mr Tribe, in his letter, stated that the Waikato River Board were in full sypmathy with tbe petition, but lack of funds prevented tbem from instituting improvements in the affected parts. The clerk stated that there was a weekly service to Mercer, and it was hoped that shortly there would be a direct service from Sydney to Hamilton. Transhipping would have to be done at the Waikato Heads. Mr J McGregor strongly sopported tbe request, "The people along the Waikato River," Mr McGregor siid, "have become bo us:d to the river that they fail entirely to realise the value ot it. Tbe river ought to be opened up, and full use made of it for navigation. It was decided to support the request, and to write to Mr Bollard, M.P. for Raglan, and Mr Young, M.P. for Waikato, asking (hem to Bupport any recommendations that may be made to tbe Government on the matter Mr McGregor added that he hoped to see every local body in the vicinity of tbe river take up the question heartily. An immense amount of valuable use could be got from the river if tbe people could only be made t) realise the possibilities awaiting development

We regret to chronicle th2 death, in Auckland yesterday, of Mr Donald MacPherson, at the ripe age of 79 years. The deceased arrived in the Dominion from Glasgow, and commenced business in one of the Auckland suburbs as a grocer. He removed to West Mauku about live years ago, and purchased the "Hill Side" Farm, which he worked until failing health necessitated his retirement therefrom some six months ago. He was highly respected tor his integrity and human sympathy. In bis will, it is understood, he bequeathed various sums to orphanagei and £IOO to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. His funeral will leave the Pukekohe railway station for the Mauku cemetery at 8.00 to-morrow morning

WAIUKU.

Record ot rainfall as registered at Belle Vue, Victoria Avenue, Waiuku, during January, 1916, was: Rain fell on 16 days and varied trom .01 to .75 inches, the total fall being 1.88 inches