TUHIKARAMEA.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 259, 15 March 1898, Page 3

TUHIKARAMEA.

Fire.—l regret to report the loss by fire on Friday morning last of three stacks of wheat belonging to Mr F. J. Vickers. The origin of the fire is enveloped in mystery, and the theory of spontaneous combustion can scarcely be advanced in this case, as the crop was harvested several weeks ago in the very best condition. No fires had been made near the stacks, and the unpleasant conclusion it- fixed upon us that they were deliberately set on fire. The loss is a serious one to Mr Vickers, as the crop (of some 20 acres) was considered to be one of the best in the district, the value of the wheat being fully £IOO, and no insurance. It is hard enough to make ends meet in farming these times without having disasters of this kind to contend against, and Mr Vickers has the hearty sympathy of his neighbours. Weather.—The late rain did much good to the turnips, excellent crops of which are now to be seen on Messrs McMicken's, Rothwell's, Reid's and other farm«, but was quite insufficient for the pastures, which require a thorough soaking, but this, it seems, is not to be until the autumn rains come. Every week the weather is getting perceptibly colder, with less chance of a good growth, yet the land remains parched and hard; springs are dry. and even swamp lands, usually moist and productive in dry seasons, are cracked and hard. Truly it is & strange season. People are expecting floods after the prolonged drought, and such an occurrence is not unlikely. For threshiog and chaff-cut-ting the weather has been perfect, and settlers Are anxious to see the machine s round. One steam thresher is expected via "Whatawbata, in a week or two, but the trouble will be to get it across the gully at Clark's bridge, for it camiot be taken round the hills like the milk carts. The above structure has now been down for some time, and might—if the county authorities had acted prompi tly—have been replaced, either by pipes or a culvert, in a few days after the fire. Such an unwarranted delay in replacing a bridge on the main Waipa road is not creditable to those in authority, and certainly would not have been tolerated had the bridge been on any other of the county roads. Price or Sheep.—The very remunerative price of 8s 6d each, obtained at the late sheep fair, for two pens of fat lambs from this district is fairly good proof of the suitability of onr Tuhikaramea land for sheep-farming ; and, perhaps, no better evidence is needed of the excellent system of management followed by the Messrs McMrcken Bros., than that year after year their young sheep top the market at the most important sales. Stmpatht—With other members ol the Argus staff, your coirespondent tenders his hearty sympathy to our comrade, Mr R.J Gwynne, in his sad bereavement.—(Own Correspondent).