THE WANGANUI DISTRICT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10152, 23 December 1910, Page 7

THE WANGANUI DISTRICT.

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

Though parts of the Wanganui district during the past month haye not experienced an excess of moisture, there are other portions, notably the Upper Wangaebu and Mangawhero, and in the vicinity of the head-waters of these streams, which have received rather too much ram to be appreciated by those engaged in the pastoral pursuita of harvesting the "golden fleece," for shearing operations have been retarded to an unusual degree. During the month not a week has passed without rain, the present one no exception, generally speaking, heavy downpours, accompanied by thunder and lightning. A feature of the month has been the number of "meteors"- that have been observed at, night and in the very early morning, passing across the sky, some of very large size and brilliancy. In consequence of the delay in shearing the amount of wool arriving at the Fordell railway station from up Wangamahu way has fallen ..off somewhat of late, and it is quite on the cards that shearing on a number of station j'ln that vicinity will not be completed till well towards the end of January. Some pastoralists have not yet commenced the work. The amount of rain above referred .to has not been without its compensating advantages, for in the districts mentioned there is quite a phenomenal growth of grass. Aa a matter of fact the country side for miies

has the appearance of early spring, instead of being near midsummer. Late sown rape and turnip crops have benefited. I o weather could have been more suitable for those sown recently, and their success is assured. Fotato crops, which showed symptoms of blight a- short while since, and which have received two spray-

ings, are now looking in excellent condition, and presage good returns. In the immediate vicinity of Fordell crops are ripening fast, and some farmers are already at work with reaper and binder. Reports are to hand that caterpillars are much in evidence in some crops, and doing a considerable amount of damage. In the Wangnehu Vrlley it i 3 eaid that it will be found necessary to cut some of the oat crops intended for grain on the green side in order to save them £rom destruction by the swarm of insects.

Starlings may be seen in myriads over the caterpillar infected fields, and no doubt are doing an immense amount of good in the devouring the insects. Unfortunately hawks disturb them in the good work, and it is a question if these birds should •not be marked down for destruction in consequence. ; During. -ftie first week of this

month the smoke from hush fires was very marked from Fordell, ui the direction of Mangamahu. One of the largest Mocks set fire to was some 500 acres on Mr J. Campion's "Okirae" estate. The result of the bum is reported as being very successful, and the property is' now beI ing sown down to grass and turnip seed. The time chosen for burning off and sowing down in seed in this districf seems strange to those accus! tomed to January and February burns, and sowings in March and April. Still they seem as a rule to prove a success, which is shown by the sward of grass carried by the hill sides. Probably the custom may, have been brought about in consequence of the rapid amount of second growth and thistles, which come so early JJliere, and which would soon militate against a fire effecting any good results.