BALD HILL FLAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 22

BALD HILL FLAT.

July 31.— There is not much news of importance to chronicle this week, things in general being somewhat quiet. The frost has completely broken up, and we are having very soft weather, as is usual about the first of August. Arbor Day.— Our school committee are preparing for Arbor Day, and I believe it is their intention to plant a good number of trees and shrubs, and hold some kind of sports or picnic on tho school grounds. What a pity Arbor Day had not been established in Central Otago 25 or 30 years ago. If such had been the case many a claim that has been abandoned because the ground would not pay to cart timber from Tapanui or Tuapeka to work it, could be worked to pay if the timber were obtainable in the neighbourhood. All timber used in the Alexandra, Blacks, Clyde, and Roxburgh districts has to be carted from Heriot, most of the timber coming a long distance by rail before reaching that point— more shame to the inhabitants of those districts for allowing it, as there is a splendid bush at a distance of 24 miles from here on the Waikaia. A considerable sum of money was spent by the Vincent County Council in making a road to it, and a few hundreds of pouncU would complete it, so that timber could be brought over and sold for a figure much below the price we are now paying for it. Electoral.— The air is full of election rumours, but we have only heard directly from Mr Pyke and Mr Rawlins. The latter gentleman has addressed the electors at the main centres and seems to have created a favourable impression, having " caught on " better than was expected in the upper portions of the electorate. Several other candidates are spoken of, among them Mr Fraser, of Clark's Flat, being anxious to woo the electors. The last-named, however,! do not seem to he desirous of his caresses ; and it is generally admitted that if Mr Eraser should stand he will run a risk of losing his nomination money. There is another young man in a remote corner of the lower end of the electorate who makes no secret of the fact that he wight go on the stump at the eleventh hour, but he having received no encouragement so far, and pure front being only in rare cases mistaken for talent, it will in all probability be some time before he will be able to write M.P. after his name, even in these democratic times. Health Note.— The measles have found their way to this locality, but no serious cases are reported.