WEST TAIERI.

Otago Witness, Volume 15, Issue 1562, 15 October 1881, Page 13

WEST TAIERI.

(PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Woodside, October 11th,

The early-sown crops in this district are looking remarkably well, although the weather lately has not been altogether favourable to a rapid growth. A little rain, followed with genial warm days, without the drying-up wind which has been rather prevalent of late, would be very acceptable, and do a great deal of good to the grass, which is backward this soason, especially on ridgy ground. The fishing season commenced on the first of this month, but I have heard of no good basket as yet. The weather has been rather too cold. The end of this month is about the time the fish begin to take best about here.

A largely-attended pigeon-shooting match took place on Saturday at Lake Waipori. The weather was not very favourable, being wet and windy ; so the scoring was not very brilliant. Mr Kempshell, Maungatua, was the most successful contestant. I understand that Mr Jas. Sim's farm, Maungatua, has changed hands, Mr F. M'Diarmid, Woodside, being the purchaser, at a very satisfactory figure. A public meeting of the settlers at Woodside and surrounding district is called for Friday night, to consider the advisability of forming this district into a town district under the provisions of " The Town Districts Act, 1881." The settlers here have long been wishing the opportunity of separating themselves from the Waipori Road Board, and they have now the possibility of doing so. The Act enables us to take in an area of two square miles, and grants the control of the rates in the district to a local board. From the general feeling here, I have no doubt the " consummation devoutly to be wished" will be gained. It seems rather hard for the settlers at this end of the subdivision to be paying a shilling rate, and see a great part of it expended in river-groins on Waipori River, or sunk in the mud of the Henley road, at the other extreme end, when a sixpenny rate will more than meet all their requirements here.

The weather on the occasion of the Church of England concert on Tuesday night last, at Outram, was very unpropitious, and as a consequence the audience was not at all in proportion to the merit of the performers. A rare treat was provided in the singing of Mrs Ansley, of Mosgiel ; and the instrumental music was very superior. A want which has been felt at Outram 5b now supplied by the opening of a singing class by Mr Prentice, of Mosgiel, and I am glad to hear that the attendance is very large. This gentleman has been very successful with Mb pupils at Maungatua and Lake Waipori, and no doubt will find as good material to operate on at Outram.