STRATH-TAIERI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2116, 13 September 1894, Page 23

STRATH-TAIERI.

September 11.— Though the Rock and Pillar lias- donned his nightcap of purest white, we in the. Strath are in the enjoyment of nice spring weather. So pleasant is it indeed, that were it not that I have a wholesome dread of the editor's ire and the W.P.8., I should indite a short ode to spring. Under the circumstances I shall leave to others who still scan their verses through rosecoloured spectacles to indulge in the pleasure of writing and possibly suffering the indignity of i ejection of verses which, though very appropriate to the season, are much calculated to raise the bile of the least bilious of editors.

Wanted, a Doctor. — Since Dr Fletcher retired from the practice of his profession there has been considerable agitation to secure the services of a ncdical man, but with no avail. The secretary of he Medical Ulub (Mr Neill) called a public meeting cist month, at which a representative committee vas chosen. A canvass of the district has taken -»lace with promising results. A committee meetug will be held again on Monday, -when it is i:>ped that matters will be in such a foward state 'i.it steps will be taken to induce some medico . settle in our midst. lam glad to record that i- late esteemed doctor is once more able to . i about after his late rather serious ill- . r.oGUESSiVE BtmNT.— l fancy the nineteenthfjjihury rabbit, like his compeer in the higher :>nimal world, is just a Itttlt bit progressive. He -■hows a discriminating knowledge between a iesh turnip or sweet young .grass and phos)horised grain or texa. And why not? If man's "viiowledge is ever increasing, why, with correuonding surroundings, should not the cuteness f bunny also develop ? Rabbiters, though not all iliilosophers, will, in doleful dumps, descant on the mowingness. and some on the cussedness, of the long-eared tribe. For once bunny has scored one, "wiDked the other eye," and is now a living monument of the truth of the axiom, " The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aftaglee." Poisoning being over, dogging, trapping, and ehooting are being carried on with vigour, as an increase of wool cannot be effected but by a diminution of fur. So look out, bunny ! A Change— The store of Messrs A. R. Falconer 3? o -5?? changed hands, the incomer (Mr 0. D. Smith) being widely known and highly respected in the district. A Narrow Escape,— A fire, which but for the activity and piesence of mind of Mr Peters Blight haveproduoed serious results, occurred in *he Strath-Taieri Hotel, Dr Jeffcoat was reading Inbed, and *» J * " --i

-JWfiflD.witb the candle

alight at hi 3 bedside. Thr book In falling from his hands had probably knocked over the candle, which set fire to the bed, and before the doctor awoke his left hand was severely burned. His cries aroused Mr Peters, who, in a state of dishabille, burst open the door of the bedroom s.n<i quickly extinguished the fire, but not before It had burned the hangings and had begun on the paper and scrim on the walls.