RANGITATA NOTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2799, 6 April 1895, Page 3

RANGITATA NOTES.

The long spell of dry weather which we have experienced was brokeu about a week ago by a splendid rain, which lasted about two days. Its good effects are already apparent on the root crops and pastures, and should King Frost only wait his time, winter feed will not be so scarce as was anticipated. The change seems to have inspired the farmer with Dew hope, and one could notice the goodhumour stealing over his face as he started for town on the following Saturday morning. The average farmer uow-a'-days is too much of a pessimist—he jumps too readily at conclusions—he looks too much on the dark side of things. In the time of the ancients, when the hills of Central Europe were stripped of their natural covering, the streams of the lower valleys dwindled into insignificance, the smiling meadows disappeared from their banks, and the climate became dry aud arid. If then, trees have such an in - fluence on climate, I should like to ask, " Has the presence of so few plantations on our lands anythiug to do with our long summer droughts?" I have often watched the rain-beariDg clouds dividing down south, and either taking their course towards the hills or round the beach. " Why do we not receive our due portion of raiu V is a question worthy the attention of the Pakihi Literary Society this session.

The threshing-mill has gone its rounds, and its busy hum will not be heard for another year. Our little station has presented a busy appearauce during the carting season, several teams being engaged daily, greatly to the detriment of the sof t roads in the locality. The farmer, though he is neither satisfied with the yield nor the price, is contented to have his cheque iu his pocket, or his grain preserved from further danger, and he turns his attention once more to the dreary plough to begin again the first stage of his monotonous labours. Let him think as he does so that his lot is to be preferred to that of his brother farmer in Canada, and the long summer droughts to the intou-re cold bis friends are experiencing on other lands. The Scotsburn school, children, accompanied by their master and parents, to the number of about 80, assembled at the station to journey to Timaru by the big excursion from Ashburtou. The children were driven down in a four-in-hand tooled by Miss Button, aud every available vehicle in that district also seemed to have beeu utilised. At the station the number was increased to over 100, aud, although when the train pulled up, there seemed to be not even standing room, still they all managed to erush iu. AH arrived back without any mishap about 7 p.m. It was a grand sight to see such a large train laden with so many passengers. The Education Board has, after many prayers and petitions by the local school committee, acceded to the request for a master's residence, and the contractor is pushing ahead with his work, greatly to the satisfaction of those concerned.