WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3200, 29 December 1892, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

Weather and Crops.—At last the weather has cleared up for haymaking and harvest. At one time it looked as if we were to have a wet harvest—which is a very different thing to a Wat spring—but the last week or two have seen a change for the better, and most of the hay on the Waipa is now being harvested. The grain crops are also ripening very fast with the wanner weather, many of the oat crops being quite ready for cutting. Crops are good everywhere this season. I have not seen a light crop on the Waipa where the treatment has been even fair, and in some cases the growth of o-its on the river terraces has been simply eivrmous; the same may be said of potatoes, of which crop, however, a much smaller area is being cultivated, The last two years have proved a perisher for potato growers on the Waipa and even the old hands are petting tired of it. School Matters.—Our school broke up ou Friday last and both teacher aui scholars have commenced a well earned holiday. Before closing, the teacher (Mr W. Rapsom) gave a prize for drawing to Master Gilbert Rolleston, a lad of LI years. This little follow possesses undeniable talent for learning, being now well advanced in the fifth standard, and if kept gning, is the making of a splendid scholar. I regret to say that there is some talk of Mr Rapsom leaving, owing to the small attendance at the school. Should this be the case, it will be a matter f>r regret throughout the district, Mr Rapsom being one of the most capable and painstaking teachers we have ever had, and every incentive should be given, both by parents and tho Board of Education, to induce such men to remain in the country. The Festive Season.—Before these lines are read, Christinas will have come and gone, marking .-mother step onward in life's journey. While the young folks, of both sexes, are looking forward with eagerness and delight to Christmas, with its feasts, its out-door holidays and other pleasant things, not omitting Santa Clans, those of maturer years usually take a retrospective view, glancing over the many Ghristmases past and gone, and generally wind up with a sort of mental stocktaking of the events of the past year. Being, of course, in the latter category, I can endorse your remark that " the year which is about to close, has been for tho country settlers generally more prosperous than they have experienced for a lengthy period. 1 ' Although there is no boim on and 1 have not heard of anyone making a pile, yet all seem to be doing better. More channels are open through which to make a living, and towards this end perhaps nothing has assisted sc materially as the operation*; of dairy factories, and the increased value of live stock. On the Waipa things generally are going ahead, creameries and saw-mills are increasing in number; our lands, whether new, or improved, are being promptly taken up by bona fide settlers, and everything points to a steady contiuuence of this progress. In closing these jottings, perhaps I may be allowed to follow the custom, and extend, in a becomingly modest and respectful manner, ray fraternal greetings to ''our correspondents" everywhere.