LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 36, 12 June 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hard frosts have' been experienced, in Xaseby during the past week. The ice is good, and skating and curling have already commenced. The , weather is clear and bright. “Does he go to the pictures?” asked Mr Widdowson. S.M.f’at Dunedin of a father whose boy had just pleaded guilty to charge of premeditated -theft from a shop. The reply was in the affirmative. “Better keep him away from the picture/,’”’ continued the magistrate. “Pictures once in a way are all right, but they are a curse sometimes.” t Farmers who were in town on. Saturday (says the Southland Times) expressed the opinion that a comparatively large area would be sown down in cereals this yeaT in Southland, and no doubt it was thought that they would bo amply rewarded for so acting. The embargo on the export’of oats is still causing considerable controversy, farmers maintaining that the principle is a wrong one. It is now conceded that the turnip crops in Southland have turned out disappointingly, and, with the deadlock that has taken place with regard to the export of frozen meat, the outlook with -regard to feed is not viewed in a favourable light. The demand tor dairy cows and heifers at present is very keen, and it would seem as if an increased area of Southland during the coming season will be set aside for dairying. Farmers from all parts of the province, as a whole, appear to he in good heart, and the present high prices ruling are certainly an incentive to rouse any of them who are addicted to allowing their spirits to drop. The favourable weather that is being experienced is allowing farm work to be proceeded with apace; but at present there is a decided dearth of farm labor, ploughmen, especially being particularly scarce.