DISTRICT NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9390, 9 March 1909, Page 2

DISTRICT NOTES.

From Onr Travelling Correspondent. Since my last contribution in’these columns a short visit has been paid to Carnarvon: One outstanding feature of this district that first attracted my attention the fresh appearance of the pasture. Whilst farmers on the heavier land are anxious for rain to freshen their fields their fellow producers in Carnarvon have a fair quantity of green feed. This is accounted for by the porous nature of the soil and the fact that water can be obtained a . few feet from the surface. Even in this {favoured spot a few showers V, would be of great benefit in stimulating a second growth in the rape crops. To those who are unacquainted with this district considerable misapprehension seems to prevail regarding the capabilities of the land for all round farming. Many people are under the -impression that the chief occupation of the residents is to trap rabbits onunproduotive sand bills. They have evidently formed their conoluison from a day’s shooting on the , sand ■ dunes near the sea coast overlooting the fact that there are many thousands of acres devoted to general farming. A large number of lambs are bred and fattened and some large drafts have been despatched to the various freezing works. Early in last week I saw a mob of one tbonsand odd prime fats leaving Mr G. Lowe’s yards en route for Wanganui. Many readers of this, paper are well acquainted with “Clydesdale” the hospitable home of Mr T. McKenzie. While spending a couple of hours this genial host, I acquired much general knowledge that will prove profitable in the future. During our conversation Mr McKenzie ventilated a grievance that he has against the Government’s administration in the matter of taxation, dealing most particularly with the tax recently imposed upon dairymen. Many years ago a sheep tax was levied on sheepowners to provide funds to destroy a particular sheep disease. Although the disease Was stamped but fifteen or more years ago, it was not till last year that the tax was removed to be immediately followed by a heavier impost on cows. Formerly “Clydesdale” was a sheep farm and it cost one penny an acre for tax. At present the farm is used exclusively for dairying and the cow tax works out at twopence an acre, so that the owner is exactly 100 per cent, fcworse off by, the change. The Post Office is also situated at '• Clydesdale,” and I was surprised to learn that in addition to the ordinary telephone service a local bureau has been installed which enables those connected to transact a large proportion of their business without leaving their homes. Additions to the Carnarvon Public Hall have just been completed which, having left the painters’ . bands, present a most attractive appearance The dimensions of this bnildiug are 50 by 18 feet, with attached snpper-room 20 by 12ft. Within the building there is a movable double partition allowing a division of the place into two separate rooms of any required size. The hall is, used for all public purposes, At present it is being used as a school while the suppor-room is serving the purpose of a shelter shed. Thiss chool has been in 1 existence for the past three years, and there are now twenty-five names' on the register, the scholars being ably instructed by Mr McCann.