CHATTON.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 213, 10 November 1896, Page 4

CHATTON.

Our district has had the wooer for the __2_o a year. They are the regular milk and water, and prate the usual stuff. Our votes will not have the self-reliant man to represent them that they had in Mr T. Mackenzie. The ridiculous way, too, that our district is cut up, ronders any community of interest out of the question. By rights the whole of the Mataura basin, - from the Blue Mountains on the east to Dome in the north, and Hokonuis in the we3t, should be represented together. Here, we have in this district, Clutha . Mataura, WaMtipu and Wallace, all running into the Mataura Valley in points. An alteration in the boundaries could be make to great advantage. Our old teacher is gone, and a new one has come in his stead. Mr Merrie was the recipent of a very valuable memento from the residents before he left the district. Mr Merrie has left a large number of friends behind him who wish him and Mrs Merrie every happiness in their new home. Mr Merrie kept our school - for about ten years, and saw many of his pupils grow up, marry, and settle down. Farming is very backward. The wet, cold weather has had the effect of killing a great number of young lambs. There is no sign of any growth yet, and stock are going down in condition very fast. I notice that Mr Briggs is grumbling about the Eabbit Inspectors ; two in Gore he says. Well, it is a pity that they do not pay this part of the country a visit occasionally. There are a groat nnrnber of rabbits about this season, and some of the farmers require a little reminder now and then. It is the only way we can get bunny killed. I notice that our County member, Mr McQueen, has been returned unopposed. This is as it should be. Mr McQueen is ever anxious to do justice to the large and influential Riding that he represents, and no one having any grievance need dispair of redress if once the matter is brought under the member's notice. The advent of the traction has rendered it necessary to incur heavy expenses in the matter of new culverts, and" our Riding in that respect alone has swallowed up a lot of money. It is to be hoped that during the next year the members of the County will take up the question of cuttingdown some of the clerical and staff expenses so as to bring expenditure under these headings down to current requirements. Small birds are still with us.