TUHIKARAMEA.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 236, 18 January 1898, Page 2

TUHIKARAMEA.

Farming Matters.— The warm rain which fell on Saturday morning has given the grass another much-needed refresher, while for turnips it i 3 just the very thiug. Considerable areas of swedes are being put in, and the weather is very favourable for their getting a good start. Up to the present very little fly has been seen, and it may be that this is an off year for this ttrror of the turnip grower. The oat harvest is now in full swing, the binders being hard at work, among them being a new McCornvek recent.y purchased by Mr S.Reid from McrsrsSouterandCo., and which does its work in a very complete manner, not a straw being left, and having a six feet cut it gets over the ground at a great rate. In some instances the oat crops have had to be cut on the green side owing to caterpillars, which lately have made their appearance in considerable numbers. Generally speaking crops are fair, some oat crops being heavy, but wheat has suffered from the adverse season and will not thresh up to last year. The long continued drought has about spoilt the potato crops, unless planted la'e, these will now benefit by the genial rains and make a good growth, thus repeating the experience of last year. Influenza. The influenza epidemic has, unfortunately, not overlooked us, a number of our residents being at present laid up with it. Coming into the district just at the busiest season makes it all the harder on settlers who must, whether ill or well, sew their turnips and harvest their grain, and the prostrating effects of this complaint are such that its victims are weak for a long time after recovery. Limelight Exhibition.—On Sunday evening the Rev. Dr. Hosking gave another of his limelight exhibitions and lectures in our schoolroom, the subject being the " Life of Christ." The building was well filled, and the views, which were very good, were much appreciate d. New Road.—A new piece of road at the Hamilton end of the Swamp Road, and which will prove a boon to traffic, especially during the winter months, has just been completed by our Road Board. Some comment has, however, been made upon the neglect of the Board to extinguish the fire which was for some weeks burning along the edge of Swamp Road, finally eating into the roadway for some chains, leaving a few dangerous holts for vehicles.—(Own Correspondent).