DISTRICT NEWS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10718, 25 September 1912, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS

{T \ Our 0 (Oorreifiondtni.J KAIPAItORO. i Tho weather throughout tho ween 1 ,lias be-on thoroughly spring-like, ! though tho winds experienced have been rather unpleasant. On Tuesday night the heaviest thunderstorm experienced for some years took place. It was ac'eompnieda by hailstones of phenomenal si/.e, the effect of which on venation could easily bo diseern!<xl next morning. Drier weather would now he very welcome to farmers who wish to carry on ploughing operations. Tho soil is at present completely satnriited, and efforts at tilling i t whilst in its present state, have proved an I titter failure. Large areas of ht?sh have heon felled during the winter, and owners are naturally wishing for a dry season in order to secure good hums. The cheese factory is now being worked every day. and the supply of milk is keeping quite up to expectations. Owing to the closing of the Eke.tahuna butter factory, new suppliers have been obtained for the cheese factory, and in several cases, milk is being carted considerable dis- ' tances. A motor van, owned by ! Messrs Hill and Barton, Wellington, pays regular visits to the district" and collects cream from several who "do not believe in cheese," so dairy farmers are being well catered for. We -a.ro still living in hopes of getting a bridge over the Makakahi River. The ford is regularly attended to by the Mauricevillo County, but during the spring and autumn, when floods are frequent, considerable inconvenience is caused, and serious risks aro often incurred by those win have to cross the river in order to reach, the factory. With the .'ulvcnc of the milking season evoninr; ".musements have been less popular—"Early to bed and early to rise" being p'ractised generally. A few of the more energetic members of the community journeyed to Halswell last Thursday night in order to attend the Bachelors' Ball, held in the hall there. In spite of inconveniences caused through roughness of roads, etc., they considered themsel{ves amply repaid by the pleasant time • provided for the.to.

ALFREDTON. Nbw that the lambing season is practically over and flockowners are putting thoir doc-kino; yards into shape it is possible to get a fairly accurate idea of tho lambing. It is not n-ntiei-pated that there will be any record percentages, although the lambing throughout tho district is likely to be well above the average. The weather lias been all that could bo desired for lambing, and with the exceptionally early spring the lambs will not suffer any chock. Mortality amongst the ewes caused by "protusion" has been very noticeable among ewe nocks which have been kept quiot up to lambing, but where tho ewes have been kept moving loss from this cause has been light. The prospects of a good wool clip arc bright. The grass grub has not been so .q>paront this year as last. Recently a dozen farmers were asked what they thought tho grub Avas the larva of. Only tAVo ventured an opinion—one thought That it turned into the green manuka beetle, ami the other suggested the grey moth. It is quite time that the Agricultural Department made a few of their investigations a little more Avidely knoAvn. T should suggest that fanners pursue a feAV independent observations, and satisfy themselves as to AA-hat the grub develops into. All that one need do is to place a feAV grubs in a kerosene tin, nearly filled Avith loose earth and sods, and place a piece of glass over the ton so that when th-i insect emerges ii cannot escape. The past AA'eek has been exceedingly boisterous. High Avinds and thunder, AA'hile intermittent shoAvers of rain and hail have been the order of the day. Alfredton is taking up ercket in earnest this season. Tho loci 1 . Domain Board, upon being approached bv representatives c- tho Cricket C'U,'>. have consented to lay doAATi a concrete pitch. This Avill give cricket n long-required stimulus. Sannder's Road, which is some five miles north of Alfredton, has also formed a club.