CHATTON.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 19, 13 August 1895, Page 2

CHATTON.

We are just emerging from a long spell of Arctic weather. Even yet we are not sure whether we are within or without the circle. There will be a nice lot of work to make up in the next three months. Fairly speaking, we have completely lost two months this winter so far, and it |ako3 some time to pull that up. The farmers will suffer a great indirect loss, but the contractors will suffer a direct and complete loss, as they can do no other work that will bring them in any recompense. Even to-day, though fine and a thorough thaw, the frost is deep in the ground. Most of tbe snow is gone, but its effects remain — in slush and mud. I am told that the Education - Board are about to send one of their inspectors up to report upon an application for a school down the Valley near the fora. It is quite probable that an alteration in the site of our present school will coma up. The folk down near the school are badly in want of a school, but whether they will be successful in getting one remains to be seen. I notice a good few sheep have besn dying this while, and ona might exclaim, "no wonder, for the turnips have been in a fearful state after the sheep hava been on an hour or so." A number have had to cart off the turnips on the lea to keep the sheep from bogging. A season like the present one brings homo to farmers tbe folly of destroying the straw stacks after threshing. Those who have old stacks about them this year, find that they do come in sometimes. Poor bunny has bad a terrible time here this while. The hedges are the only places they have for shelter, and during the snow, the boys not having much else to do, have given them such a thinning that it will be some time before they recover the number of their mess — no one will complain, methinks. August 8, 1895.