WEST TAIERI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1500, 14 August 1880, Page 19

WEST TAIERI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

Woodside, August 10th. A sad case of drowning occurred at Grantori Farm on Friday evening last. A little boy, 20 months old, son of a man named Alexander, who is employed on tho farm as blacksmith, fell into a creek which runs past the house. He had only left his mother's sight for a few minutes before he was missed, and on search being made was found floating on his back in the creek. Every remedy was applied, but life was extinct. The father and mother are new arrivals, having been only six months in tho country, and this was their only child. Mr Peter Grant, blackßmith, Maungatua, met with a serious accident yesterday whilst shoeing a horse, by which he got his leg broken. The horse had thrown him off his balance by some means and trod on his leg. He was attended by Dr Denshain, who set the bones of the injured member, and he is doing well. Tho decision of the Education Board in Dunedin has surprised our School Committee here, as I have no doubt it will do many others. A reduction of 25 per cent, means, to small schools such as ours, an end to all improvements that might be in contemplation. In fact there will be no need for a committee at all, as the few pounds receivable will hardly require a monthly meeting of seven householders to consider what had best be done with it. To have made things a little more equitable, a pro rata reduction should have been made, as has been done with the ealaries. 1 have tested a sample of oatmeal from Mr Mann's mill, Woodside, and being a connoisseur so far as that article is concerned, can say that it is equal to any in the market. The works, which are the first of the kind in the Taieri, are now in full swing, and orders are coming in rapidly. The improvements and additions have cost Mr Mann about £300. The fitting-up hag been under the direct supervision of Mr Lawson, late of Tokomairiro, who has intrqduced some novelties in construction, amongstwhich I noticed a smutter and cleaner combined, &ernng for either wheat or oats, and an improved shifting slide. The machinery was manufactured by MrHollick, of Milton, and is giving every satisfaction. The shelling-stones are obtained from Mr Duff's quarry, near Waihola, and are very superior. The miller informs me that if the stone is all of the same quality, there must be a little fortune in the quarry. The drying-kiln is 15 xl 5 feet at bottom, tapering to 12 x 12 feet, and 14 feet high; the full height is 18 feet 6 inches. The machinery is driven from a large water-wheel, and by using belting instead of gearing Mr Lawson has gained more than double the power available formerly. There is always plenty of water in the creek, which is known as Fulton's, and I have often wondered that someone with a little capital has not seen a way to start another industry'on its banks. We are close to a railway (Outram, two and a-half miles), firewood is plentiful, and we are in the heart of a large farming district, whilst the surroundings are remarkably picturesque and attractive. The weather is still splendid, frosty nights and bright sunny days, pleasant and health invigorating.