Ngarua Notes.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4438, 20 July 1909, Page 2

Ngarua Notes.

(From Our Own Correspondent).

Perhaps I owe you an apology, Mr Editor, for not “ ringing ” you up oftener ; but the good people of Ngarua are a quiet, contented lot, who do not wish to intrude themselves upon you unnecessarily ; however, I think it is desirable that the different localities should report progress now and again, per medium of your very readable paper, so that we may keep in touch with one another. I am pleased to report that Mr J. Mo • Donald (who recently met with a severe accident, by having a loaded waggon pass over his arm and leg) has returned in a convalescent state from the Hamilton Hospital. His leg is doing well, but the arm is still troublesome : however, we hope soon to see the genial Mac thoroughly recovered and following his usual avocations. A very interesting wedding took place hero recently, the contracting parties being Miss L. W. Scherer, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Soherer, and Mr H. J. W. Scott, fifth son of Mr W. G. and the late Mrs Scott. Both the young people are very popular, being well and most favourably known, and highly respected throughout the district. We sincerely wish all success and happiness may attend them throughout their journey together, and I am sure it will, for they have had a good training and come of a good line, their parents being all old pioners, “ Builders of the Empire,” who came out here in the early days, and pluckily set to work to carve a home for themselves and families, and with indefatigable energy succeeded against the innumerable difficulties which are incidental to pioneering life. They have brought up large families which are a credit to their parents and a splendid asset to the Dominion. It is to this class of citizen that New Zealand owes her proud position to-day, and not to Liberal Governments who take all the credit. But a thousand pardons, Mr Editor, I have been guilty of digressing from the happy theme of wedding bells into the turbulent throes of politics. lam sure your fair readers will find it hard to forgive my iudiscretion.

I noted with interest and satifaction in a regent issue of the News, the very good results of Mr O’Grady’s dairy herd for the past season, and I take this opportunity of heartily congratulating him on his success. There is not the slightest doubt that there is room for great improvement in the dairy herds of these districts, for Mr O’Grady’s performance should be a common occurrence amongst the dairies. More intelligent attention should be devoted to the selection of the"very bost sire procurable, and until this most important fact is fully recognised the status of the herds of the dairy farmer will be mediocre. It would be a step in the right direction if our Minister for Agriculture followed the lead of the New South Wales Government and provided a pure-bred bull of any approved milking strain in each locality, and charged the farmers a nominal fee (per capitation) for use rf same ; this method has been in vogue in New Sputb Wales for a number of years, resulting in raising the standard of the dairy herds to a high degree The Ngarga creamery has had a very good run this la*t roason, most of the herds having a fairly good tally. The result* of ope of the herds supplying this creamery, (the qccqracy of which your correspondent can vonoh for) would shake Mr O’Grady’s figures up considerably ; some of the cows calved }ate in the season, and taking them on an average the whole hord only supplied for seven and a-half months ending 31st May, in working out the results in proportion for nine months it pans out at 264*7211)8 butter-fat per cow for nine months.

Jt is most gratifying to learn that Mr Ghudfey is afc taking steps to cub UP hi* fine estate qf Qrongomairoa, This estate comprises some of the best Ignd in New Zealand, and is a splendid subject for closer settlement. I cen? fidently predict a great rush for these sectiors when once they are available, especially considering the laud hunger that is now prevalent, and the tardiness of our Taihoa Government in opening up Native lands. This latter subject is a sore point, and J would like to dilate somewhat upon it, but I must not trespass further on your generosity,