STRATH.TAIERI.

Otago Witness, Issue 1895, 16 March 1888, Page 17

STRATH.TAIERI.

March 8. — Like our neighbours, we have suffered greatly from wind this year. Such a continuance of gales has never been known beforo in the memory of " the oldest inhabitant." This is saying a great deal for Strath-Taieri, which, from its situation at the base of the Rock and Pillar, is particularly liable to wind. Of late we have been favoured with true summer weather, which has been eminently suitable for the present farming operations. One or two slight frosts and fogs have already been experienced. Many of the potato crops were ruined by a somewhat severe frost a few weeks ago. Harvest. — Most of the grain is now stacked, and threshing is genera) ou the plain. The yield is said to be poor, the high winds having shaken tho crops considerably. This is not the case with all ; one or two farmers haviug expressed themselves as satisfied. In a week or two the waggons and drays will be on the road with the produce for market. Turnips have not done well this year, the season having proved too dry. The last rain came rather late to benefit them much, but it has done good to thti winter grass.

Progress. — For a long time many fruitless attempts have been made to form a " Progress Committee,"for the purpose of watching over the interests of the district and securing any desirable advantages. Owing to the apathy of the residents, or some equally powerful cause, nothing came of those efforts. Like many others, we are willing enough to receive and enjoy any benefits procured for us so long as these cause no trouble to ourselves. Still, we seem to be able to advance without the aid of this piece of machinery. Chief among the signs of material progress may be refckoned

Thb Telephone, — There does seem at last to be some hope that t-bis much needed boou will ere long be granted. At present we must be content with a weekly mail, having no regular communication with the outside world from one end of the week to the other. Mr Logan, of the Telegraph department, paid hr a visit last week. I understand that the iurention is to carry a telephone line from Abhotsford up tbe Otago Central railwa) 7 . It will be one of the moat use? fulof contemplated improvements.

Cemeteuv. — The Church Committee at ics last meeting took in baud 'ohe important matter of procuring a burial ground for the district. The nearest cemetery i» at Hyde, 20 miles distant ; but, owing to more frequent communication with Outraro, the latter place was generally made use of when oecaMou required. Forcunatdy, few places are healthier than Strath-Taien ; and the inconvenience of haviug no local burial ground has not yet been greatly felt. It is well, however, to be prepared for emergencies ; aud tha Church Committee did a wise thiug when they took this matter in hand. After making application ,to the High School Board of Governors, who own the land in and around the township of Arden, they received a very satisfactory reply to their request. The board have decided to reserve section 20 of the village settlement immediately adjoining the township as a site for the purpose. It is gratifying that this long* desired boon has been so readily granted.

Some time ago the Church Cora mittee too£ s sfce P 8 to secure the erection of * Manse for the uJstrict. A most convenient site, consisting of nine acres or was after a long delay acquired km the High School Bo^rd of Oovettors. A sflfi* of £300 was voted by the synod for the purchase of site and ereci^n os manse. This sum was afterwards increased &y means of subscriptions and lectures until a sv*ancient amount was obtained to justify the conw ' ftittee in making a start Messrs Mason and Wales* architect?,- of J)'unedin, were accordingly instructed to prftpate plans, &c. A very n«at design of a Comfortable cottage raanse, containing seven rooms, *as drawn out and approved of by the committee and the Oamnru Presbytery. Tosdera having been catfad for, the contract was let te aw local carpenter, Mr John Hay, who hails from Wilton, aud who a fwnwto beforey had started bfisiues3 in our midnl ane worik has gone on BtcAflSy during summer, and waa brought to a successor! conclusion at *os end ot last month. On March tMr Wales drove up to inspect the building, aedf expressed biraselt highly pleased with the credible maanar m which the contractor had carried out the worfc. The painting waa done by Mr 3. A. Bmaw, or Dunedin, who also deserves cr?dit for tho workmanlike manner in which he perU>noe« his duty. The building is a censpicuous ornan;«nt to our small township, as well as an object Ox mark on the plain, andte without doubt the bes* iiiwned house in the district. It reflects great cr«m> alike on the architect and tbe contractor. Other BuiLDiNos.—Mention should also be made oi two other houses in the township, one rectntly finished, the other in course of erection The former ib a plain wooden cottage, meathouse attached. It is a coroforfcablo house of four rooms, and was built by Me Aitken, of Outram. The other is bfJßg butlfc by Mr Outtlie, and is of sun 'dried bricks. Mutual Imphovement Socwrv.— A society with this worthy object in view was started homo time ago. It has shown no signs of tife as yet, but I believe that it propose/? malu'Mj; a beginning soon after the bur.y aeasou is p?M>k o«cb societies generally flourish best in winW, when other thiugs are dead. It was started iif connection with the church, and has the folio wing office bearers -,— President, Rev. A. Bruce Tou.i ; vice-presidents, Messrs James Kirk and William Ooatsworth \ secretary and treasurer, Mr John Hay; and a coramitteo of three— viz., Messrs A. Harvey, W. D. Mason, aud A. Warburton. All it wants now is members.

School Picnic— This annual gathering was held in the school playground on Saturday, 3rd inst. Apparently it was not quite so successful as in former years, for some unexplained reason. The. children mustered in goodly numbers and iv gay attire, befitting- the season . > The m>ature comforts were uuder the direction and dispciw&tion of Mr and Mrs Warburion, who were assisted by friends. Tho day wan pleasantly warm, but became chilly towards evoniug. I should suggest to the committee the desirability of holding the picuic away from the schoo! ground. It would then have more the character of a holiday for the children. We miss greatly the presence of some kind friends whose grounds on former occasions were always most willingly offered for such purposes,