WAINGARO.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 245, 10 February 1898, Page 2

WAINGARO.

Drouout.— The long continued drought is drying up tlie past arcs and acting most injuriously on all crop 9, and to make matters worse, a froJt visited the distric*' on Thursday inoining, and cut Indun corn, pumpkins, melon?, potatoes, etc , uttoly ruining any chance of a crop. The Maoris who umally at this s asou have lots of new potatoes, have not e. The cold backward spring stopped their growth, and the drought has effectually cheeked them, so that the outlook fur I heir food during the winter is no! n btight one ; they planted considerable areas, but the crops must now be small. Fire.—Dining the gale on Tuesday, tome (ires, which had been lighted in an old clearing near the Hot Springs Hotel, blazed fuiiously, and sp:»rks were flying round the building', and but for there ! eing some Maoris at work on the road near at hand, who carried buckets of water from the Waiugaro River, end poured it over the fires, it is more than likely the premi-es would have been consumed. It took two hours 1 hard righting to quench the fir's, and when it was done all felt thoroughly exhausted. Poio.—■The Hot Springs Polo Club held tluir usual practi. e match on Saturday af'.rrnoon in Mr Pickeu's paddock, and the p'ay was nine!) fitter than it lias bet n. The mcn.bers have evidently harncd a few wrinkles from the vitifc of the Aucklandeis to Ngarnawahia on the 2Sth tilt , and are cvideot'y goirg to better their piny by the kuow ledge gained,—-(Own Ci respondent).