NGAPARA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1495, 10 July 1880, Page 13

NGAPARA.

(fkom oue own oobeespondent.) July 3rd. Wo have, with the rest of the Colony, bad our share of the wet weather. The rain commenced on Saturday night, and never ceased until the evening of the sth, for a short timo. There appears but little indication of fine weather yet. Until last Wednesday we had it very fine, though some sharp frosts have boen exparienced. Thoue are, however, preferable to rain as far as comfort is concerned, but we must have seasonable weather if we expect to have seasonable advancement in garden and farm products. The grain is now aboub in, the last having been one of the long6sb harvest seasons known here. There will be lees work on our branch railway, and as economy is now the order of the day, I believe we are to have trains but four days a week instead _of six, as has always been the case since the line opened, I hear very little grumbling, however, at this alteration. In fact, the people of the Colony generally appear willing to do what they can, and in a measure sacrifice something,

in order that the fi ,r,nces of the Colony may recover from theh" unenviable position j and " every little helps." We have recently had a change in stationmasters, Mr J. J. Atkinßon having been transferred to Hillgrove, and Mr Stitchbury of Waiho appointed in hia place. There has been a fair amount of building going on lately ; and although farming this past season has been a loss to many, yet I am convinced the district will recover itself and continue to advance. I believe the school, too, shows au average attendance for the June quarter of over 50 pupils, thus entitling it to a pupil teacher and sewing mistress. The midwinter holidays are shortly to be given. Considerable progress has been made on the Windsor railway. Some 140 men are employed upnn it. It will be a long time, however, before it is finished ; and, if all is true, it will be of no great service to the district.