WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3188, 29 November 1892, Page 3

WHATAWHATA.

AcctUENT. —An accident, which might have resulted more seriously, occurred at the Post Office Corner on Sunday last. Mr W. McLeish was driving with Mrs Johnson in a light single buggy, and had rather a flighty young horse in the shafts. When turning the corner something startled the animal, which bolted at once. Mrs Johnson was thrown out and so seriously bruised about the face as to necessitate being taken to the Hospital. The other occupant of the buggy escaped unhurt.

Race Coubse.—With the approach of the Christmas holidays, sports of various kinds are being discussed. The question of a race-course has been satisfactory settled at last, Mr Ferguson having given the use of his paddock for the purpose, and a good course, nearly a mile in length, is now being made. The position is a very central one and the Race Committee are likely to have the use of it in future year*:.

The Weather and Feed.—The splendid growing weather we are experiencing is evident by the luxuriant feed to bo seen in all the paddocks, and even along tl e roads. It seems a pity that batter and cheese manufacturers do not offer more encouragement for settlers to turn this surplus grass into milk, instead of putting sheep or store cattle upon it, as so many pre now doing. Dairying,—Your remarks on the dairy business are opportune. Some time ago I drew attention to the way in which the creameries seemed to drag, at least on the Waipa, a few of the best of our own suppliers having given the business up. Some say it is the tests, others the prices, but I expect the true cause will be found in the fact, that the returns obtained from the creameries are not sufficient for the labour and outlay involved, as compared with other branches that settlers can go in for. When milk supplying pays better than it does a* present, no doubt it will boom again, but not before. Another difficulty has been brought under my notice, and which, in its way, is of some importance, particularly now that outside labour is becoming scarce and dear. This is the deeprooted aversion that young people seem, in a short time, to have against milking cows. They say, and with some truth, that weekdays, Sundays, and holidays alike, it is the one grind, there is no respite, or recreation, such as their town cousins are continually getting, and very frequently no wages to reconcile them to the drudgery, a chance offers, no matter what it is, and off they go, swamping, fia.tcntting, orbushfallingis preferred by the young fellows to milking cows, and even the girls are just as willing to exchange the milk-maid's billet for almost any other. Yet these are the hands upon which the milk supplying settler must largely depend for his bucccss.