RURAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1819, 4 March 1884, Page 2

RURAL NOTES.

Since our last issue several districts near the coast (says the Sydney Mail) have received rain, but very few localities inland have been siniilaily benefited. On Thursday there were signs of a change ; and as it was known that heavy rain was falling in several parts of Queensland, telegrams from the northern parts of this Colony were eagerly scanned. We regret, however, to say that, according to our latest reports, the drought still remains unbroken. Our Bourke correspondent reports the country around that town to be in a wretched plight. Stock are starving, the stock routes quite bare, and wool teams unable to proceed. On the northern border several stations reported rain. Walgett, Nanabri, and the northwestern portion of the Liverpool Plains still remain diy. The losses of stock are already enormous. The South Coast is ■•veil grassed, wheat harvesting is nearly finished, and the threshing machines are at work. Bk erin the harvest field. -An interesting discussion took place at the annual meeting of the Oxford Diocese Church of England Temperance Society on the use of beer in the harvest field. Mr John Abbey, who was recently defeated in his match in Wiltshire whilst working against a farmer on temperance principles, said the reason he failed was for want of food. He had made no provision in this respect, and under the burning sun, which was 80 degrees in the shade, he had challenged his opponent next year in Oxfordshire. A very important step in the direction of Irish peasant proprietary has just been taken in Mayo. The tenants of Captain A. It. Costello, of Edmondstown, have arranged with him to buy all their holding under the Land Act of 1881. They are 400 in number, averaging about £6 annual rent, and the purchase money is about £30, 000. Of this sum the Treasury will supply three-fourth, to be repaid by a rate of 5 per cent for thirty-five years, and the Hibernian Bank is advancing the remaining quarter, less a few thousand pound, which the tenants are to find . themselves. The owner reserves hia 7 housed and demesne, and bw rights of