WINTON.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 35, 31 March 1894, Page 12

WINTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The district of Taringatura, scarcely ever spoken of eight or ten years ago, has now been transformed into something worth picturing. Well-built houses are scattered over the country", and the red and silver tussock have given place to verdure. About six years ago the average yield to the acre was ten bushels of oats. To-day, the district all through returns fully forty bushels to the acre. This satisfactory state of matters has been brought about because men of the right st imp, men with “ go,” energy, perseverance and sobriety settled there. Their first desire when starting was drain, drain, drain. There are plough drains every three or four yards. This wise judgment on the part of this thrifty portion of our

agricultural community has recouped them a hundredfold, and deservedly so; and it may, without fear* of contradiction, he characterised, not only from an agricultural, but from a pastoral, point of view, as being equal to any district of similar size in Southland. I understand there are 2,500 acres of land of fine quality to be offered under the hammer next week in the same locality, being a portion of the Heddon Bush Estate, ds ihe terms are exceptionally easy, this should ci’eate keen competition. It is regrettable to notice so much good land locked up in the hands of a few to be allowed to lie waste, and nonproducing, subject only to its unearned increment tax. Hext week the folks of Winton, especially the ladies, are to be favoured with an operatic company. This, no doubt, will tend to enliven us. Township matters are very tame since the election. In consequence of the ridiculously low prices ruling for all kinds of grain seed just at present, the cockatoos are dubious as to whether they should “thresh” or “thatch.” The buyers are sanguine of better figures later on, but the averag-e farmer is not so farseeing as the “ canny broker,” therefore a number are adopting the proverb entitled—“ A bird in the fist is worth two in the bush.” So the farmer tries to live and prosper.