FEATHERSTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 March 1939, Page 7

FEATHERSTON

DRIEST SEASON ON RECORD. WATER SHORTAGE CAUSING CONCERN. ("Times-Age” Special.) The oldest residents of this, district state that they can never remember a drier season than the one at present being experienced. The water shortage in the Lower Valley is causing grave concern to stock owners. Fortunately farmers near Featherston have their farms watered by races from the Upper Tauherinikau River, which, strangely enough, still contains a good supply of water. The six weeks of continual gales experienced prior to the hot weather during the last 3 weeks, is undoubtedly the cause of the present parched state of the pastures, as the wind dried up every partical of moisture in the vegetation. Even native trees are dying. A fine patch of Titokis near the Tauherenikau River railway bridge all practically dead, whilst several birch trees are.beyond redemption. Where there is an ample supply of water, stock are looking particularly well. Scrub and Grass Fires. The fire brigade was called out at 10.15 o’clock on Monday night to a scrub fire at Pigeon Bush. The dwelling of Mr Whitey was in danger, and the furniture was removed, but the efforts of the brigade and other helpers were successful in saving the house and sheds. Yesterday an alarm was given at 10 a.m., when a grass fire was endangering a house on the Western Lake Road. The brigade promptly put out the flames. Personal. Miss Marjory Bloxam left yesterday on a visit to relatives in Wairoa. Mrs H. Clark has gone to Dunedin, where she will visit her daughter, Mrs J. Brooker. . Mrs S. Best, Wanganui, is visiting Featherston. Swimming. . The first of the 1939 series of swimming contests for the Ailsa McDonald Memorial Cup, competed for annually by the secondary departments of the Martinborough and Featherston District High Schools, was held on Tuesday afternoon in the Greytown baths, which were kindly loaned for the occasion by the Greytown Swimming Club. The Featherston girls won by 33 points to 1, and the Martinborough boys were successful, scoring 20 points to Featherston’s 14. During the year other contests will be held, the next being tennis and athletics, to be held at Martinborough on March 28.