Country News.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 278, 4 November 1902, Page 3

Country News.

STUD HOLME JUNCTION,

(FROM our own correspondent.)

Crops of wheat an 1 oats in the district look well ; some around the Willowbridge lor>k almost too heavy. Rolling has been the order of the day. Potatoes have been got in rather mere than the ave age. Small birds have been a serious drawback to rape and clover seeds just through the ground. Some farmers steep their'small seed in kerosene and dust wi h red lead before sowing, which is said to be a preventive against this pest. The late frosts have done cinsiderubla harm to all stone fruits, plums, cherries and apricots look as if they had a fire run along the branches, all the flhwers and leaves being quite withered Tho poultry industry still flourishe s Reiily hvs over five hundred of the heat class ot chicks he has ever rearea on Willowbmk, also a fine lot of ducks. His first condgnment of spring chickens were sent to Dunedin a fortnight ago at six'een weeks old and realised 5s 6d per pair for tho cockerels. Mr Geo. Duncan has about 300 of his early pullets laying. I wonder it there is another farmer, or even P OU IiJL breeder, in South Canterbury who h™ this year’s spring pullets laying.

What promises to be the most success’ ful entertainment ever held as Hannaton takes place on Thursday evening; lam sure the minstrels will meat a bumper house, and they deserve it, as they have spared neither time nor paint at rehearsals. I had the pleasure of attending one rehearsal, THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN. On Thursday evening tho Hon. W. J. Steward addressed his constituents Jin the Redoliff school. The attendance was somewhat small, about thirty voters being present, Mr A. Watt was voted to the chair and briefly referred to the Major’s long and honourable parliamentary career, and to the courteous manner in which he had always treated his constituents. Mr Steward’s address was on the same lines as that delivered at Waimate.

In reply to questions lie said while favouring the int oduction of the Bible into schools ho though", that the present syllabus should be cur ailed if time at present devot;d to secular instruction should bo used in imparting religions instruction. A light railway, with 401 b rails, from Redcliff to Glcnavy would cost about £3OOO per mile. Mr J. Breen (Chetnole) at soma length urged the desirability of the Government enabling holders of leases in perpetuity to pay off yearly a certain percentage of the capital value of their holdings, thus eventually securing the freehold, Mr Steward agreed with Mr Breen’s idea, but to prevent the reaegregation ot large estates, would limit the amount to be paid off to 90 per cent, the State thus remaining f ho landlord at a nominal rent.

On the motion of Mr J. Breen, seconded by Mr R. Goddes, a unanimous vote of confidence in the present Government and in the Hon. W J. Steward was carried amid loud cheering. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Watt as chairman.