KARAMU.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 97, 20 February 1897, Page 3

KARAMU.

Death. —Very sincere regret is felt throughout the district ac the early death of Miss Irene Dickey. For some time past the little girl—who was a great favourite at the school, and indeed, with everyone—has been in delicate health, and about three'weeks ago Mr Dickey took her to town for a change of air, but her lungs being seriously affected the change was, apparently, of no avail. Mr and Mrs Dickey have the sincere sympathy of their many Waipa friends in their bereavement. In this connection I may mention that it has been decided from a feeling of sympathy for the family that has always taken a leading part in such matters, not to have the customary district picnic this year, but in lieu of it and so as not to disappoint the children, the usual school prizes will be obtained and distributed by Mr Jenkins at the school, and later on in the season it is proposed to have a dance for the young people, of which I wiil give due notice. School Matters.—Respecting school matters generally, these are progressing. The attendance is fair, and though, alas, one scholar has left the ranks for good, anil a little hat peg, which was kept vacant until its owner returned, will now have to be occupied by some other lassie. Yet other scholars are coining, and under the able tuition of Mr Jenkins aie showing what country children can do in the way of acquiring the " three R's." Weather and Farming.—As may be supposed after such weather, farms are now looking at their best, and the fertile Kaniwhaniwha Valley, commencing at Mr Noble's, which, by the way, is the estate par excellence of the district, and extending up the stream, including the holdings of Messrs Haddock, Hunt Bros., Mrs McNeill, Zolfel, Ross and others are a finesiaht just now ; the rich alluvial river flats being wellstocked with cattle, sheep and horses, the whole backed up by the high wooded ranges, which completely shelter the valley, and, no doubt, odd to its stock carrying capabilities. The late heavy rains did no damage of consequence, beyond washing away a few small culverts, and, >f anything, it still further improved the late potatoes, which have becu immensely benefited by the fine growing weather experienced during the past couple of months. The prospects of this crop arc much better than was at first anticipated ; most of the settlers have considerable areas, and those being planted late in the season were not too far advanced when the rain came. As an instance. Mr D. Finlayson has five acres of Hobarts, planted en his Waipa River flats in December, and these are looking splendid and promise a heavy yield, while a similar tine crop may be seen on Mr Dickey's farm adjoining. In view_ of the peculiar weather experienced during the past three seasons it is a matter for consideration among growers whether the bulk of Waikato potatoes—usually put in the ground during September aud October—are not planted too early, and this season particularly, the late growc s are having all the best of it, not a few of the early crops now showing the second growth, and in wet places are rotting. Turnips also are a good crop in the district, settlers generally growing from ten to thirty acres each, Mr Noble sowing a still larger area. Considering the big scope of turnips to be fed off m this district alone and the heavy crops that are promised, a larire quantity of feeding stock will be required duiing the coming winter, and if this can be taken as illustrative of the turnip crop throughout Waikato, ."hen there is little reason to be astonished at the keen bidding at the late sheep fairs, as there is no doubt that prices are permanently up, at least for this season. Wedding.—ln closing, I may just mention that weddings are still popular iii the Waipa, and my next will probably contain the particulars of the departure of another of our younc ladies, of course, bound for the goldfields.