DISTRICT NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9373, 16 February 1909, Page 8

DISTRICT NOTES.

J’rom Our Travelling Correspondent. There are half a dozen threshing plants busily employed |n the Sandon district and judging by the number of stacks now visible on the holdings, they will be thus occupied for several weeks. The results are expected to be highly satisfactory to the producers. . Interest is being revived in rifle shooting in Sandon. The local club intends holding a competition next Saturday for trophies generously presented by patrons and members of tbe club. . What a country it is for mountainous hills and deen galleys from Mangaweka to Kimbolton. and a travel*?*; domes to the conclusion that thbfaad after a few fine days would-became dry and parched owing to the {’many streams and rivulets which twist and turn on their downward course to the Rangitikei river, <• carrying all surplus water from the earth. But farmers say that the ground holds the moisture well, while some will inform you that this rough country is the heat for sheep breeding, and one must admit that this class of stock looks remarkably well, &nd some good prices are being obtained for store sheep off these lands. In the low lands of Ruahine there .are a few snug dairy farms, which contribute their supply of milk to the local creamery. Enough potatoes for the use of tbe settlers are grown, but unfortunately the blight has attacked many of these small crops. The Ruahine School gardens, with the aid of aood work done by the .scholars, under their late headmaster, Mr O. O. Hills—an enthusiastic agriculturist, who has taken great pains in teaching the children tbe first principles of agriculturesecured the first prize presented by the Eeilding A. &. P. Society in the school garden competition this year. The in the vicinity of this school, who are : interested in the study of elementary agriculture, will be sorry that Mr Hills has left this district—he having now taken up his duties at Maxwelltown School, in the Wanganui division. While the school wa- closed foi the summer holidays the garden was neglected, but no doubt itjWill soon be put in order by the pupils, who now continue their experimental work under the supervision of Miss Rookell, the relieving schoolmistress. In the Rangiwahia and Kimbolton districts a certain amount of harvesting is done. In this high country spring and autumn appear a month later, and farmers have been particularly fortunate in this respect, as hay making and harvest work this season did not commence until the unfavourable weather had p&sssd There is a scarcity of fruit in Rangiwahia this year. A late frost followed by a hailstorm when the fruit trees were in blossom played havoo in the orchards. The Rangiwahia Sports Committee ate, busy making preparations for their meeting, which is to be held on she 17th of March, and they predict large entries and a most successful day’s sport.