COUNTRY NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1191, 26 September 1874, Page 11

COUNTRY NEWS.

(from our own correspondent.) NA3EBY. Some time has elapsed since my last communication, and this owing to lack of anything which might interest your readers, not to forgetfulness on behalf of your correspondent. The principal items of news I can now send are — The opening of 3000 acres on deferred payments on the Pastoral Association's property, Maniototo Plains. The "District Land Officer, with the District Surveyor, and others interested in the matter, went out a few days ago, and selected the reserve — most of which, I am informed, will be taken up, and is considered to be most suitable for agriculture. If present ideas as to farming thereon are carried, out, doubtless it will be a great boon to the district, as agricultural produce, which has been nlways high, will be obtainable at a reasonable rate We have for some weeks past had a good supply of water, and all parties left here with sluicing claims have been in full swing of work, which the succeeding escorts will no doubt testify. When the public works are completed, I think that the Mount Ida escort will recover its old prestige. By-the-way, I shoulc state that we are receiving a large influx of Chinese, and that some three or four new Celestial stores have been and are in the course of opening. The head-race, so far as Mr Dillon is concerned, has progressed very satisfactorily, and his present contract will, it is expected, be completed shortly. Mr Abbott's contract progresses but slowly — the Government new chums, not liking his terms, having left. I hope he will be successful in obtaining better men. Doubtless the men sent up by the Government were not suitable for the work, but had the trouble been taken with them, as with those on the sludge channel (who were in the same position), they would doubtless shortly have been worth the current wage. The Brothers Creigbton have lett here for Dunedin, at the request of the Superintendent, to confer as to the deepening of the sludge channel, and that work is at present in abeyance. Now for a chapter of accidents. On Wednesday noon last a man named John Marks, working on the head-race near here, was choked whilst eating his dinner by a large piece of beef sticking in his larynx, and death was instantaneous. A verdict was given by the jury on the inquest to that effect. On the same evening the premises on the Home Station at Paterora, occupied by Captain Baldwin, were totally burnt down, together with the furniture and other contents. The Captain and his wife were, I am informed, absent at the time, but the governess and the family had a narrow escape. Then a Mrs Davis, on the following day, was thrown from her horse in riding to Kyeburn, causing a broken arm and three broken ribs. She is, I am informed, progressing favourably. LAWRENCE. Our town was quite lively on Thursday last, when the Roman Catholic Church bells gave forth their merry peals, which announced that the marriage ceremony between the schoolmaster and mistress of the school was about to take place. Large numbers attended on the occasion, and the Rev. Father Larkin conducted the proceedings with great solemnity. The happy pair looked well, and after partaking of a repast at the residence of the priest, they departed to the Beaumont to spend their honeymoon. The pupils gave expression to their feelings of regard, and the attention paid to impart education in this seminary is greatly praised by the Roman Catholic community here. The proceedings of the Supreme Court sitting have already been published by you. There are four lawyers in this locality ; but, on this occasion, the official Crown Prosecutor sent up a gentleman from Dunedin to appear on his behalf. On Monday last a large quantity of the land advertised as being open for sale was applied for by Mr M'Lean ; and, if his application is granted, there will be no chance for the numbers who are very desiroun to have a bit of land. It requires some little delay before they are aware of the chance, and by the time they get this information they have lost their opportunity and must wait till the next time. The recent statute in reference to the sale of the Hundreds grants a proper delay after advertisement, which will certainly answer better than the present arrangement.

We have had very changeable weather, but it has been good for farming operations.