PALMERSTON AND SHAG VALLEY (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) July 25th.

Otago Witness, Issue 1601, 29 July 1882, Page 14

PALMERSTON AND SHAG VALLEY (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) July 25th.

The remains of tho late William Cobden, who died in tho Dunedin Hospital on Thursday last, were interred in the Palmorston Cemetery on Sunday afternoon Tho funeral was attended by a large concourse of mourners, and was, I believe, one of tho largest that has yet t-.ken place in the district. As the deceased for a considerable period belonged to the craft of Freomaaoiis, nearly all the local members of thai Order, anxious to show a last mark of respect to their departed brother, lollowed his remains to their final resting-place. For many years deceased was a citizon of this town, and w-s much respected for his quiet, inoffensive behaviour. Some months since his health began to fail, aud he betook hirmelf to the Hospital, where lie died. He leaves a wife and family to mourn their loss.-lt.l P. . A deputation, eotwibting of several members of the Piilmerston School Committee, waited upon tho Education Uoard at its last meeting to place under their consideration the necessity of erecting a new schoolbuilding for this district. It was represented that it would be cheaper m the end to erect a new building than to patch up the old one. Tho Chairman, although not refusing tho demands of tho deputation, did not hold out much prospecs of their being immediately granted, as at present the Board had not a sixpence to work upon. As the winter i 3 nearly over, the hnildiny will doubtless do perfectly well during the cummer. Tuo pasture-fields are very baro here at presont, ana farmers and graziers are anxiously awaiting the approach of spring. Straw, the principal winter fodder, is also very scarce. Thoso who furnish the town witli chaff can scarcely get auflicienfc straw to supply the wants of their customers. Anyone who is fortunate enough to possess more than he requires can sell it at a very fair price ; whereon hitherto it has been almost unsaleable, or brought only for a trifling sum. A straw-srack on fire— a very common occurrence in pa3t years-is now a very rare sight indeed During the past week we experienced some of the coldest and mo&t boisterous weather that has yet occurred during the course of the winter, from Sunday up till Friday night cold piercing winds blew almost .continuously ; while every now and then the mountains in the vicinity received a fresh sprinkling of snow. Rain commenced to fall heavily on Friday night, and continued till noon on Saturday.^ At W-ent frost rck'ns supreme, and tho weather is all that could be desired.