MILTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 21

MILTON.

August 15. — At last the weather has taken up, and the mud has almost disappeared from the roads. It is with a feeling of relief and pleasure that we once more walk about without going ankle deep in mud. The sunny days and light winds have dried up the surface wonderfully, and farmers are pushing ahead with their ploughing, which has been so long retarded. Spring flowers are already plentiful, and there are indications of growth in the trees. Talking of trees, prominent hotelkeeper and properly owner in Milton has been assiduously chopping down the tn c s in one of his sections in the very centre of the township. First a row of tall blue gums were brought low, and then several sycamores— which no one seemed to regret — but when the ruthless axeman felled four beautiful tall cabbage palms, and a splendid Scotch fur, people began to think the owner had taken a spite against his property — which is unoccupied— and was doing his best to disfigure it. It certainly seems anomalous that when the Government proclaim an Arbor Day and public bodies go in for tree planting that rare trees should be cut down — trees which would have been an ornament to the town for years to come, and which were not even taking up valuable space, for there is no intention of building or utilising the sraco thus reclaimed. Comi.no Show. — The Dog and Poultry Show Committee have been pushing matters energetically, and the affair promises to be a great success. A large number of prizes have been "donated" or " presented," and everyone is looking forward to the show with pleasurable anticipations.

Cricket. — The articles on cricket at present appearing in the Witness appear to have awakened the latent love of the game licre, for there is talk of a cricket club being formed on a thoroughly sound basis and in a practical earnest manner. There are a number of old cricketers in the district, and if they take the thing in hand and give some attention to the novices, it should be possible to foim a strong club here. If properly managed the club will at any rate have the support of a large number of young fellows who find tennis too uninteresting. The Book Fie.nd. — The Picturesque Atlas Company had a bad time of it in Milton last week, for Mr Revells gave judgment against them in three cases at the R. M. Court. Mr D. Reid was the counsel for defendants, and scored several "points" against Mr Sim, of Dunedin, who appeared for the plaintiffs. Another Change. — The Bruce Herald has once more changed hands, the new proprietor being Mr Chantry Harris, who at one time owned the present Government organ in Wellington. It is to be hoped Mr Harris will infuse some _ new life into the paper for which there has certainly been a want of late.

Pkopekiy Sales. — Several farms in the district have also changed hands within the last few months, notably Mr Duthie's at Lovell's Flat, which has been purchased by Messrs Drinnan Brothers. That of Mr Hugh Murray has been leased to Messrs Heagin Brothers for a term- of seven years, and Mr Watts' farm has been sold to Mr James M'Elrea.