WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2769, 12 April 1890, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

Lessons From Last Hauvbst. —From information received from various parts along the Waipa, it seems certain that the grain crops this year have turned out very badly. Some blame the season, others the soil, .but there can bo no doubt that taking into consideration, the low prices, the risk at harvest time, and the impoverishment of the land, Waipa farmers will have to rely , upon something better than growing grain for sale. Fortunately they have the alternatives of keeping sheep, or producing milk for the factories. Sheep have been paying remarkably well, even on small farms, and the butter factories, which are gradually being established all over the country, afford a cash market for all the cream the farmer can produce, and this means neither a great outlay or risk, and does not entail selling the fertility of tho land for a veritable mess of pottage which grain growing at present prices certainly does. The Butter Factor?.— Messrs Reynolds and ICing met the suppliers at our factory on Friday last, and announced the rise in the price of millc from 2i|d to 3d per gallon for the balance of the present term, and 4d for tho winter months. The visitors received a cordial reception from the settlers and expressed their admiration at the way the Whatawhata suppliers had met and overcome the many difficulties which had arisen since the factory started, and stated that after this season, the suppliers would not be asked to bear the expense of carting the cream. The season has been greatly against the success of the factory, but all hands are preparing to start next year on a large scale, meanwhile the factory will be kept going as long as possible. Pahtv. —A most enjoyable evening party was given last Tuesday evening by Mr and Mrs Iwersen on the occasion of Miss Priscilla Iwersen's 21st birthday. The weather was, unfortunately, most unfavourable, but notwithstanding, the capacious schoolroom was well filled. Miss Iwersen has been a useful girl to the various denominations holding thoir services in Whatawhata, having for some years played and sang for them, and was quite recently the recipient a handsonie album from the Wesleyans, and on Tuesday, during ana of the intervals, Mr A, M, Ferguson, on behalf <)f numerous friends, preaentod the young lady with a gold bracolei. On such an occasion

as last Tuesday, while celebrating the birthday of a younger sister, one's thoughts, in spite of the gay scene and lively music, could not help reverting sadly to Mr Iwersen's eldest daughter Nellie, the beautiful and gentle girl who died in Whatavvhata some years ago, a great favourite, and regretted by all.' Great consideration was given on Tuesday evening to the youngor visitors by having children's dances and songs. The Misses Calder and Rolleston played and sang very prettily, and later on Mr Maddock brought down the house by some capital comic songs. The music was kindly provided by. Mr S. Calder on the violin,' assisted at times by Miss Philips from Ngaruawahia. Dancing was carried on Until the small hours, refreshments being handed round at intervals. Everything was done to make the gathering enjoyable, and the general opinion seemed to be that the sooner some more of our young people attain their majority and celebrate it in a similar manner the better. •