RIVERSDALE.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 29

RIVERSDALE.

November 8. — I have to report a great improvement in the weather, though the breezec are by no means balmy as yet. On the contrary, they .are d^cidcily cold; but the fanners are only too ; glad to get any wind at all to dry up the land and enable them to finish sowing their grain. lam : afraid there "will ,be too many late crops this < coming harvest. The braird in most places is . looking well, but some of it in not at all a healthy * colour, and indeed that could Hardly be expected. Much of the land is badly caked om the surface, ' too, but the Cambridge roller will put that to ' rights inmost places. Grass seems to be plentiful ■ enough, but eveta that wants some hot weather ■ badly, as it has not the f ich green colour that it should have at this season of the year. November is the very month when the pastuies should be at about tbeir best.

Presbyterian Church.— We have lately lost our minister, the Rev. Mr Carter, who has gone to Waikaia, aud so far I have not heaid anybody mentioned as a likely successor. Meantime tha pulpit is being filled by neighbouring ministers, but I hope we shall soon have a minister of our own again.

School , Concert.— Great preparations have b^en made for this annual event, and the childien have been most indefatigably coached and drilled by Miss Smith, of the local school. I bear great things of a maypole dance, also of a fan* dance, both, of which will be novelties in Kiversdale. The Drill Hall is already prettily decorated, and given a fine nieht to-morrow there should be a bumper house. I only hops that such •will be the case, and that the school funds will benefit accordingly. Mr J. Smaill deserves all credit for th 6 trouble he has taken to make the affair a big success.

Volunteers. — I understand there is to be a big entry to-morrow for Mr Hallenstein's Cup Match, •which is as it should be when such handsome trophies are presented. The corps is getting more new blood, four recruits having joined last drill night. This is encouraging, but there is room for ten or a "dozen, more yet — now is the time for them to roll up. I was very sorry to see the death of Major Atkinson reported. The older volunteers here knew him well, and liked him as a drill instructor. Especially was he good in his musketry instruction, and having great patience with the men he very soon made them smart at handling their rifles. .Poor old fellow, his was indeed a chequered career ! Improvements.— The alterations in our station yard are still progressing. The goods shed has been shifted back some 12ft, a new loading b.nk nut up, and the hollow near Totbill and Watson's lias been filled up level, which latter is a great Improvement. The men are at present engaged in erecting new cattle and frheep loading yards. No doubt the farmers will find greater facilities Itezt season for loading their grain, and the Rail-

way department will also fiud the shunting department improved — One of our local blacksmith', Mr J. M'Dougall, has just finished building; a large wheelwright's shop alongside his f-mithy. I understand that he already has orders for a waggon and several drays, so that he will have a good start. There is no reason why equally as good work should not be turned out here as in Invercargili or Dunedin, and it is to be hoped that the new local industry will be supported.

Limbing.— l have not yet beard much about the local lambing, though I believe the increase is good. The New Zealand Agricultural Company last week marked one lot which averaged 92 per cent.— a good return considering the weather. The lambing in September this veai- had a decided advantage over that of October, but one cau never tell " till the numbers are up."