OTARIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 10 July 1890, Page 18

OTARIA.

July 7.— -Last Tuesday evening the Kaiwera schoo was packed by the friends of Mr James Scott, who had come from far and neat to bid Mr and Mrs Scott and family a formal farewell, and to make Mr Scott a presentation before he left the district. The ladies of the district, as is their custom on all social occasions, provided the good things, of which there was a great variety, plenty for everyone and any amount to spare. Mr Scott, who has been a resident of Otaria for the last 13 years, and is leaving for another district, is one whose loss will be severely felt, and will cause a void that will be hard to fill. As a consequence, much ragret is expressed at his departure, After full justice had been done to the good things provided, Mr D. A. Purvis, on behalf of the residents of the district, presented Mr Scott with the following address, together with a purse well filled with notes and sovereigns :— "Mr James Scott, Wishdale, Kaiwera,— Dear Sir: We, your neighbours and friends in this district, having beard with deep regret that it is your intention to remove from amongat us, desire in some form to show our esteem for you and Mrs Scott, and to express in some feeble way the earnest regret we all 'jfeel at the prospeot of your removal to another distriot. During the 13 years you have resided amongst us we have not failed to reoognise the very many acts of goodwill and kindness shown to all with whom you have come in conbaot, and your desire to improve the social, moral, and spiritual welfare of those around you has not passed us unnoticed. We hope that in the near future wherever your lines may be cast they may fall in pleasant places, and that prosperity and happiness may ever crown your labours. We need not say that we are extremely and sincerely sorry to say good-bye to you and Mrs; Scott, as well as the members of your family ; but before doing so we beg your acceptance of this purse as but a slight token of our goodwill and our appreciation of your good work as a resident.—We are, dear §ir, you» sincerely. (Here follow 40 signatures.) Mr Scott briefly and feelingly replied. The evening was spent in readings, songs, and recitations. Mrs Couperswhaite sang two songs very nicely, Miss Sturm and Mr D. Purvis rendered a dialogue "Account Current, Woman Dr and woman dr." Miss Purvis ably defended her sex, and woman like, had the last word. Messrs Bobertson, Christie, Fullar.Potter, O. Robertson, Lofty .and Dawson alio contributed towards the evening's amusement. After " Auld lang syne " had been sung by the company the room was cleared and the young folks settled down to their indispensable dince. Messrs Johnston and Dawson supplied the musio with violins and Mr Purvis aoted as M.C. The mirth was kept up till the "wee sraa " hours, and all went home thoroughly well pleased with their night's enjoyment, only regretting that Mr and Mrs Scott and family were leaving us. Agricultural.— Nearly all the farmers have again commenced ploughing. There will not be as much in crop this year as there was laßt, the present prices being a sickener. So far we have had a very mild winter, consequently stock are looking remarkably well. A few dealers have been round lately buying up every fat sheep they can possibly get. It seems strange there should be such a demand for sheep and none whatever for fat cattle, but I think cattle must rise in ptlce later on.

A Farmers' Grievance — The farmers are indignant at the Southland County Council in not allowing them to put more than 18 bags of oats on a load. Now, when the roads sure dry and the weather good this is nothing like a load, but when the weather is wet and the roads cutting up 18 bags are too many. It seems to me foolish for the council only to allow the 18 bags in dry weather. If the farmer were allowed to put on any load he chose, he would probably have his carting done before the wet weather set in. No one could find fault with the council in protecting the roads in wet weather, but I do think that in fine weather they ought to allow the struggling settler to put on what he thinks proper, as the roads are not then liable to any injury. It is the settler who lives from 10 to 15 mileß from a railway who feels this oppression the most, and it is to be hoped the counoil will take this into consideration and advise their officers to shut one eye and' wink with the other when they think they see adray coming with more than the limited 18 bags of oats.