Our Correspondents.

Otago Witness, Issue 1489, 29 May 1880, Page 13

Our Correspondents.

(from our own corbkspondent.)

After very fine weather for some time, tbe weather changed, as usual, on the Queen's Birthday, for at about 5 pm.rain set in, which continued without intermission until late last night. Jack Frost's presence has been felt, both morning and evening, for some time past, and does not fail to make an impression on members of both the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Large quantities of grain are still coming in, but there is no market for it. It is almost an impossibility to find a buyer now, even at the ruinous prices ruling. Go to the merchants, and they say, " We are not buying just now, nor Bhall we be for two or perhaps three weeks." This season is proving a very trying one to farmers, the price of the article produced being in some instances less than the cost of production. When oats fetch Is a bushel, and the cost of threshing, bagging, and carriage is 7d, the remaining 5d goes far short of cost for seed, ploughing, wages, &c, &c. Landlords, too, ask far too high a rental off the croppers for their land, and until these conw down and more markets open up, I fear farming must in many places prove a failure. Ploughing is begun already, and the present rain will be highly acceptable. May "God Bpeed the plough," and may the coming season recoup the losses of the present. To turn to something more cheerful, an entertainment in aid of our public library was held on her Majesty's Birthday, it having then reached the first year of its existence. The chair wa3 taken by the vice-president, Mr Walker, who dilated upon the advantages of such institutions in the country districts if appreciated as they should be. An excellent programme of songs, recitations, and musical selections on piano, violin, and English concertina was then gone through, in which the following ladies and gentlemen took part :— Mesdames Low, Atkinson, and Collie, Messrs Atkinson, Ford, Bayes, Murdoch, Glenn, Holt, and Walker. Mr E. Conlon also played two violin solos. He then read report of library, which showed it to be in a very prosperous condition. An effort will shortly be made to erect a suitable readingroom or public hall on a piece of ground given by Mr Menlove, who, unfortunately, was unable to attend the entertainment. After various votes of thanks had been carried, a service of fruit, tea, coffee, cake, &c, was served in good style, quantity and quality, by Mr Collie, after which dancing was commenced, and kept up with unflagging interest until 4 a.m. Mr Ardagb. was our able M.C. lam not in a position to state the financial result, but it must be satisfactory, as a large company assembled. There would have been even more but for unfavourable weather in prospect. We have, I believe, some 120 volumes in hand, have an order under execution, and purpose re commending others in new supplies from Home.

Mr Reid, of Elderslie, addresses us on Monday next, Mr Jones on Tuesday, and, I presume, Mr Roberts after him. Opinion is divided as to who will be returned. The Colony is greatly in want of wise legislators in this its time of great depression, so I trust the right man will be placed in his right position.

Things appear to be workiug satisfactorily on the railway section of Windsor, and a really good thing it is bo many are provided for for the winter.

The Rev. Mr Wilson, Episcopalian, visits us on Sunday next, so that we have three Sabbaths in the month occupied. The Rev. Mr Cameron dispensed the communion last Sabbath, when a large congregation was present.