WAITETUNA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2786, 22 May 1890, Page 2

WAITETUNA.

« Tun Wkathku.—Two very severe frosts have been experienced during the past week ;it the Waiugaro Springs, with open showery weather since the lljth inst., proving very suitable for the newly sown grass seeds which have been at the mercy of the imported pests during the spell of fine weather. Their depredations, even in this newly-settled district are of a very serious nature, and it becomes a question whether surface-sown grass and other seeds will not have to be protected from the ravages of the small bird curse by poisonous preparations. What a different New Zealand of to-day, is to that known to the early settlers of 30 or 40 years past. It was then a pleasure and consolation to know that what was surface-sown then, would be a profitable harvest thereafter. So much for the bungling enthusiasts who could not let Nature reign supreme iu her natural course of ornithology, but it must be improved upon, and yet it becomes a question if the native useful birds will not becomo still scarcer, if not extinct. Visitors.—Visitors at the Springs since mv last have been : Messrs Nicholson and party, McKiniwn Bros., Messrs Phillips, Broone, Potter, Sutherland, Cogswell, Moon, Loano and Holt: also Mesdames Bulford and Moon, and last but not leapt, His Dusky Majesty King Tawhiao and suite, who arrived on the 15th from Pukekawa. His Majesty will make a stay for the benefits to be derived from his favourite baths; he is suffering from rheumatism. It is very satisfactory to state he acts with dignity, and his suite under his watchful eye has behaved in a very exemplary manner in not intruding upon visitors, and whenever they have taken the boneh't of the waters, the first consideration at their hands has been to loave everything scrupulously clean. His Majesty wears a sad and serious expression to my ken, and mi doubt reilecto on the fallen greatness of his cause, or the fntility of hopes for future greatness. Pastoral. — Messrs McKinnon Bros, will not after all take over the Peninsula. They came through to the Springs on the Kith, with some 700 half-bred sheep from Napier, which are to \r>-. located at Teramahoe, and the run atOhautira. l (l eed is still plentiful, but I regret to state the natives iu this district will be short of food, being previously engaged at the flax mills, they neglected their planting. With the short crops from late planted potatoes, and the demands made on their stores by the Royal party will run them very bare, so that an exodus for gum-digging or swamping will be compulsory. The Waibata Flax Mill.—The Messrs Wilsons, at the Wairata steam flax mill will erect their saw benches, and shortly commence to cut timbers. This should enable settlers to dispense with the imported article. Should the price of flax rally, a few days re-construction can convert the mill into its former trim for flax milling. Road Works. — With favourable weather the road works in the district will be diligently pushed on.