WHATA WHATA.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 247, 15 February 1898, Page 2

WHATA WHATA.

Fire.—Almost every report from this district of late has contained the particulars of some eeiious loss by fire, and the present will be no exception. The latest fire, which consumed Mr A. T. McKnight's dwelling on Friday last, was particularly unfortunate, there being no insurance on the furniture and effects, and as the occurrence took place during the afternoon when inist of the family were out about the farm, little or nothing was saved, the only clothing left them being that in which they stood up, and this was not a great deal. Coming after their bankruptcy troubles, the fire has been about the finishing stroke, for they have nothing more to lose ; it seems hard luck. Clarke's Bridge.—With commendable pr-niptitude, the Chairmau of the Waipa County Council—.\ ho was down at Clark's bridge a few hours after the fire—has had a temporary cross'ng made over the gully. As may be supposal, only the lightest traffic can get over, and considerable anxiety is felt by settlers living on the southern side, as the steam chaff-cutter and thresher is expected up in a few weeks, and there is no other road to bring it. Most people think that a culvert about six or eight feet square would answer instead of a bridge, and be less expensive, and a-) the Council have Borne men now at work in the Whitawhata township, the job tould be done in a few days if the timber were procured. It is to be hoped the Council will cot delay the matter, as even the present crossing will be impassible after the first rainfall. Roads and Buiduks—The approaches to the Koroma l ua bridge have been Lomple'cd by Messrs Mawhinney Bros., who have done the work weil. These contractors are now doing some road formation through the town-hip, which will be a gre-»t improvement, particularly if a little sand in put on ; otherwise the new road may, for the first winter at all events, prove a " slouyh of despond " foi those who travel ou it. the drainage being none too good and the soil of a retentive clayey nature. Late Feost.— The late frost did much damage, but it is cur'ous how some potato crops escaped, while o'hers clobc by were cut down On the Native Reserve just across the river, where extensive aieas of potatoes are annually grown, comparatively little damage has been dene, owing, perhaps, to there being shelter,' on the upper terrace the frcst appears to have passed over the potatoes without injuring them. But whether damaged by frost or not there can be no yields in a season like the present, the drought still holding the land in its iron grip. Day after day the dry westerly wind scorches out any moisture in the soil until it becomes hard and cracked, consequently growth is out of the question. The nights also are getting colder, and it would not be surprising if we hive frost in rial earnest to wind up a most trying season, duiing the whole of which both pastures and crops have been struggling for existence under adverse circumstances.— (Own Correspondent)