Country News

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 37, 9 December 1893, Page 5

Country News

HEDGEHOPE. Again the “ Polly-tickle ” war is over and 'the people have made tlieir selections to represent them for the next three years in Wellington. The result for Mataura lias surprised many, as Mr Richardson, apart from %eing an able politician, was generally wellfenown and universally liked, but like many of Ibis colleagues he had to give way to the socalled “ Liberal party.” Whatever his faults may be, and from a Southland point of view, opposing Southland votes is a serious one, he must be credited with some good measures, such as the Re-valuation Bill, which was passed during his tenure of office as Minister ■of Lands, and is admitted to have been the sal ration of hundreds of settlers throughout -'the country. Mr McNab, our new representative, is not altogether unknown to the district, and we look forward to see him represent us as well, if not better than, Mr F. Eichardson. But to write about politics seems much like reading a novel •twice, as both‘local and party jmlities were threshed out with a will in our local school;2kmisc on Saturday, the 25th, when a meeting was called for that purpose, but I think the arguments brought to bear did not lead to anyone to alter their opinion, and all went home -satisfied to use his own -judgment. I say "“his,” as there were no ladies in the case. Political meetings do not seem to have much attraction for the fair sex. Mr Christie was the only candidate who was favoured with their presence at a meeting yet. However, polling day proved more attractive, as nearly ■every lady in the district of mature age (or gather admittedly matured) put in an appearance. Grain crops are not looking well this season. The excessive rains have almost perished some of the fiats, though the hilly Sand promises better results. Grass is good throughout, and that which is kept for seed is looking very well. Turaip sowing is the -order of the day, and ere long w r e will know whither that much -to- be - dreaded turnip enemy—the fly—is going to be bad this season or not. Shearing is general, and some have already .finished, but as the weather has been very •wet of late it is only with difficulty that sheep ■ sjan be shorn at all. Some of our farmers -will not start for a few weeks yet, so that -£hey will just have time to get the wool in for the first sale. In conclusion, I notice, your Hokonui -correspondent, for want of something to write about, has been thanking the HedgeFoppors for their telephone. I would remind him that it would be more consistent to have thanked the Hokonui Coal Company for their very liberal contribution, and also the gentleman who did the collecting business. I think he must have taken the hint Hedgehope gave him some tine ago, as he aaever ventured into our midst while collecting. However, when wc have the telephone •extended to our district if Hokonui acts as fair to us as we have done to them, viz., Iby troubling our heads with our own affairs, 'Shore will be no enmity between us.