DRUMMOND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1903, 24 July 1890, Page 19

DRUMMOND.

July 16.— Those in the neighbourhood of this embryo City of the Plains have had [a visit from a goatleman v whu»e presence is marked by unusually low temperature— Mi- John Frost. Many of us thought that, like last year, he had come to, stay, but &fter;delaying ploughing operations for a. short time milder weather supervened, and the soil is being rapidly turned over. The drain plough, which is here considered an indispensable implement, is already tolling Us own story in improved pastures and crops. land which prior to Its introduction cou'd seldom be wrought before September or October, may now ba seen as firm and dry as could be desii cd., Nor are these drains, though cheap, looked upon &a temporary, as In ordinary olay subsoil they will run for yeara. Many in this quarter after running for over three years are still doing duty aud giving as much satisfaction as tiles. One great benetic is tbatjin case of choking— such will occur even with tiles -a new plough drain can be made at a nost of about 10s per mile, or about ]£d per chain.

M.l.S.— The more Intellectual in our midst, evldeath'beliovjug that " variety is the spice of lire," have for/nad a Mutual Improvement Society for the discussion of matter s of general interest. At their first, meeting, held on Saturday. sth iost.. Mr Jimos Lumsdon was elected president, MrH. Buckingham vice-preaident, aud Mr W. Stortnontti 6«cretary and tronsu'er. The subject set down for discussion waa, " Are digging ploughs an improvement on the onlinnry double fjrroiva?" Mr Lunisdtin taking the affirmative aud Mr Buckiuslmui the negative. Both sides were well set foith anil discussed; a vote at the close showing as follows : -For, 9 ; Against, 10. On the 19fch inst. the discussion is to bo, •• Should we aeU the railways ? " to be followed by Federation';! but of these more aion. One benefit of such societies afc least is tliat they CAiisfl people to study the subjects in hand, enabling them to form clearer ideas thau might o'hepvise bo the case. I wish the Drurnmoud M.I.^J. a long, useful, and pleasaut existence. Politics.- The news market is almost unsuppieo, anything really stirring being instantly pounced upon It is. however, but a calm before a storm, ns the politioal atmosphere is quietly naUieriuß, and Dossible [candidates and their probuble chauoe3 aro already being remarked upon, while all poiuts to the comini struggle as becoming of considerable interest. Meantime no one socmi inclined to throw up hia hat over th 1 ) fate of tho no confidence motions in \\ el-liuxlo-i, apparently b^iji content that things are as they »re, aud willing that they should remain so -- [Arrived loj late for last issue — Kr> ]

TUAPEKi WEST. JVLY 21. -The annual p'oujjhiiij; match was held in Mr J. Real's paddock, and passed off very well considering the day being wefc. There were not ao many Uv.ms on the ground l w l«t year although the prizes offered were fully batter. Mr George Redp*th took fi-st przo-£J 10* and a gold med^l. He also t.jok t lot of goods as special prizes, lhe business people of Lawrence were very liberal in X donation of goods. Pome dlssatWaciion was caused by lhe derision of toe judges, as some of the .peotttort thought the first prize should have been given to J. Heal, who was awarded second ; but on Sft iuflgos giving their reasons and showing the diffareat poiuts, they convinced some of thote who

_ were so positive in their own opinion. AH was, set ' right by apologies' from those who bad been too hasty in giving their opinion when they had grounds for dissatisfaction. ' FARMERS' Unloh.— At the last meeting of the Farmers' Union a letter was received from the Waitahuna Farmera' Club, asking the Tuapeka West Union to co-operate with them In calling a public meeting In Liwrence with the objeot of starting a rabbit factory In or ab tut Lawrence. The members present fell in with the idea, and authorised the secretary to comtnunioate with the Waitahuna Olub, Informing that body of the willingness of the union to join them In the publlo v eeting. A' letter was also received from Herbert and Co., of Lawrence, offering to make a donation of £100 if the affair is started on a proper basis and all capital subscribed before starting operations. I think this Is a good offer, and if those who have money were to come out In a similar way, there would not be such very dull times and so many unemployed. Since writing the above I have heard of two other donations that have been offered— viz., £100 and £125.