MILTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1966, 29 October 1891, Page 20

MILTON.

October 27.— 50 far as we have gone the spring has been most favourable and propitious— everything is growing. Aa a consequence no one is grumbling, whioh in an agricultural community says much. An unusually large area has been put in crop this year, and a large proportion is sown down In wheat, so that the plaiu and the surrounding bills present a very refreshing appearance. The crops are all well forward, and growing rapidly. Lately the growth has been something wonderful. One field I know was scarcely sown a fortnight when the crop showed over Sin above ground. The grass, too, is heavy and thick all over the plain. And fruit trees give promise of heavy crops. New Ooutbkt School —This building is rapidly approaching completion. The outside structure ia finished, the brickwork and slating being quickly completed. The building occupies a prominent site, and can be teen from almost any part of the township, and when finished it will. prove no mean ornament to the town. Nbw Buildings, &o.~ Messrs Wright and Burley have had a large shop erected on the vaoant spot where Marryatt's store nsed to stand, and are rapidly filling it with furniture and upholstery. — I hear some talk of another geaeral store being erected on a vacant lot opposite the Presbyterian Ohuroh.— Our solitary watchmaker and jeweller is also threatened, I hear, with opposition, so Milton may soon have additional business places whether there is any additional increase ia business or riot. Bailwat Siding.— The Bailway department have recently added a siding fully half a mile long to the railway station. This was muoh needed during the grain season, and will be greatly appreciated next autumn. The yard and approaches to the station have been greatly improved by metalling and gravelling, and when the gravel settles and hardens it will make a splendid yard. Tbliphonk.— Milton is soon to be blessed with a telephone exchange, and the linemen who have been for Borne weeks past working their way from Duuedin with the new wires have at last reached here, and are proceeding with the ereotion of the telephones. &o. •• Thb Piciubbsqub Atlas."— The agent hai been in the district during the past week, delivering his books and extorting his pound of flesh in the shape of lOgs per subscriber. There were many rumours of opposition, but so far things have gone quietly, most of the victims, as they consider themselves, acoepting the inevitable. A meeting was called of " those interested," but the only resuit, so far as I can learn, was a deputation to the local livery-stable keeper, asking him not to give the Atlas agent hones or traps. The livery-stable man sympathised with the victims, and was quite willing to concede their demands, provided they agreed to recoup his loss. This they could not see, and so the Atlas man wends his way about the country " spreading desolation." Several of the farmers adopt the " not at home " dodge. When a suspicious character is seen approaching they look their doors, pull down all window blinds, and retire to their dens till the stranger departs.