PALMERSTON AND SHAG VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1797, 30 April 1886, Page 13

PALMERSTON AND SHAG VALLEY.

April 26. — Glorious weather have we had up to to-day for our autumn holidays. Soft, warm nights, and calm, sunny days have almost tempted U6 to forget that we are on _ the verge of winter— a winter which seems inclined to be exceptionally mild. But however pleasant fine weather may be, it becomes somewhat objectionable when it lasts for about nine months on a stretch, as it has done here. We are suffering very much from the long continued drought. Creeks and lagoons that I never saw actually dry before are showing sunbaked and hardened bottoms.

School Matters. — Our new High School building is nearing completion. It will be opened with great ceremony and jollification, I expect. On Saturday night at about 10 o'clock tho schoolroom at Goodwood was burned down. The oiigin of the fire is at present unknown. Ecclesiastical — Mr Blathwayt, teacher of the Shag Point School, has been ordaiucd a clergyman of the Church of England. Amongst other duties, that of labouring among the Maoris at Moeraki and Waikouuiti will take a prominent part. Mr Blathwayt has studied the Maori language. Music— A musical association ha*, been formed here for the cultivation of vocal and instrumental music.

Volunteers.— Our local corps is starting very promisingly There is one unpleasant feature, and that is— far more wish to join than art' required. On Wednesday night members are to be enrolled, and how they will meet this difficulty I do not know. Political.— Politics are not engrossing very great attention just now. A while ago some little feeling of the pulse of tho constituency wa*> going on, but our member is not very uneasy; and, truth to tell, I fancy he holds his seat at present as firmly, if not firmer than ever he did.

Railway Injus pick.— Howls of indignation have been pioduced by the action of the Railway authorities in granting facilities to Dunedin residents which they deny to those in the country. The latest injustice took the form of granting tickets from Dunedin to Oamaru at 7s 6d and ys, while Palmerston travellers had to pay about a-half more for travelling half the distance. The thing is palpably unjust. It would have be«:n bad enough to have had to pay as much as Dunedin people, but to pay a-half more is too much.