TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2103, 14 June 1894, Page 22

TAPANUI.

June 12. — A most successful trial of a drain plough by the Southland Agricultural Company took place on Mr A. Potts's farm one day last week. Horses were at first tried, but not working well together it was thought that a better trial could be obtained by the use of bullocks if they could be procured. Mr W. T. M'Farlane at once offered the use of a team of bullocks, 12 in number, and the result of the work was thoroughly satisfactory. There is little doubt but that this style of drainage will be all the go in the future, and farmers will probably find that improving their lands by this means will prove remunerative. Licensing.— When the news reached here that wholesale licenses had been issued for the sale of alcohol in the Clutha electorate, it was received with no small amount of astonishment, and even those who had been so fondly hoping that ouch licenses would be granted were completely taken aback. The result shows what a fine specimen of legislation the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act really is. A protest against the issuing of those licences has been made by the memberd of the committee, and it is probable that an effort will be made to set aside the decision of the chairman. The people are almost unanimous in the opinion that too much power is placed in the hands of the chairman, more especially if he exercises it as has been done on this occasion.

PiiESiivTEiiiAN.— The Rev. Mr Bepg, newly returned from the Home country, conducted the services in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday last. Mr Begg is a young man with all his work before him, and has every appearance of proving a valuable addition to the ministry. I understand he is a candidate for this vacancy. Judging from the past, men qualified to fill thi3 charge are not easy to be had, and the congregation would do well to keep this in view, for they may restaasuredthat if theehance of obtaining the seivices of a good man is not availed of at once there is danger of some other vacant charge being placed at his disposal.