MACRAES.

Otago Witness, Volume 01, Issue 2123, 1 November 1894, Page 25

MACRAES.

October 30.— During the month little or no rain has fallen, and as a con equence the soil has become very hard, and the farmers rind it difficult to prepare the ground for tutnip seed. The oat crops are not looking over well, and if the weather does not improve in their favour there is every prospect of a poor harvest. Os Dit.— A concert and bill in aid of the-Moon-light School funds is to be held on the 9th prox. in the schoolhouse of that locality.

October 30.— 0n Friday, the 19th, the children attending our school were examined by Inspector Goyen, and much to their credit and also to that of their energetic teacher, Miss Walker, the answering was all that could be desired, the nnmber of passes being equal to D&per cent., thus showing that the Macraes School children have taken the palm from schools of fia greater preten'ions than ours, and I am pleaded to say that before leaving the inspector congratulated Missi Walker on the at T ention she paid to those under, her care, and also congratulated the children on their cleverness.

Ecclesiastical.— On the following day, Saturday, the 20th, the most Rev. Dr Grimes, Catholic Bishop of Christchnrch, accompanied by the Rev. Fathers Lynch and O'Donnell, visited Macraes, for the purpose of adminisieriug the sacrameut ot confirmation kiihore Htfcle CathoHc aspirants who answered so weTl at the school examination the day before, they bnng joined by their coreligionists fiom Nenthom aud Moonlight, all bsing neatly dressed. His lurdship examined the group, and I am sure that in his rounds he did not find children better instructed than those at *VFacrae.T, t&e bishop ercpres^in^f b.is satisfaction at their answers. Ihdpea, their answering was a credit to both the cluldreu and their parents, imd also a credit to our good priest, Father O'lJonuell, who for months before was always to be found in some centre instructing rho children.

Mining Legislation --The people of Macraes are disgusted at the Mining District Lands Occupation Bill. The- people here petitioned ngainst it» passing, but all to no purpose. The Minister pushed it. through, and this mischievous bill is now law. A more injurious bill could not be passed so far as we are conperned. But apples will grow again, and we shall not fo - get it, for the Hon. John M.'Ketizie. We intend communicating with othiT centres, and ashing our representative to resign before he does any more haxru. Agricultural. — Our crops are all looking well. —Occasional Correspondent.