MABEL (SOUTHLAND).

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2159, 11 July 1895, Page 22

MABEL (SOUTHLAND).

July 3.— Like the rest of the colony— or perhaps the world— we manage to exist, and fail not to odd our quota to the general wealth of comi laints that are so abundant just now. There is a dulness hanging over Mabtl at the present time of which it is difficult to det» rmine the cause. Four years ago a visitor would have presaged, judging by the stir then perceptible, that a great future might be expected of the district, but that animation was engendered by hopes which have as yet Tbeen unfulfilled, and the place and the people are Kick with hope deferred. Mabel is Etaggeiing, unless some new and unlooked-for induitiy springe uptoauppoit it. Let the sawmill cease operations — the only industry except farming that we c.in boaet of— and a general exodus must inevitably ensue. Weather.— My weather report is a long continuation of dull, cold, showery weather, with mud ankle deep at the bc-t, aud the roa^s in many paces utterly impassable. Fiosts have been conspicuous by their absence this season, ao that the grafs >• 'Idocks in the district still give fair feed to s*o< k. Farming Pkospects.— l am pleased to state that many of our farmers are participating in the recent rise in values of wheat and oats. Of the former very little has been grown ill this di-"tiict of late years, but of oats we have always a larcre quantity. More than the usual ajc.t of land is being ploughed for crop, so that, with reasonable prices or prrseut rate*, there, is room for indulging in the hope that the cloud has lifted and Southland may yet boom again. Skttlejii<"lVT.— The farms on the recently subdivided Morton Mail s ebtite are gradually being cold. About 20 of them, all on the unimproved portion of the est*t<*, have been disposed of privately, and all to bona fide settlers. Messis James Campbell and li. Young, both old established residents of this district, have each acquired a farm on this estate. ScnooL Matters —Our public school opened to-day, aft-r b. ing closed for a wetk in con»equence of Mr Gilohri»t, the pupil teacher, being in attendance at his annual examination in luver- , cargill. ' Kcclksiastical.— Mr Binsett, our worthy pastor, attends to our religious wants attentively, but I am sorry to state that im services are on many occasions Bparsely a' tended. It often happens that the male fulk *re working hard all the Week or are away from h.one, so that they are too tiitd to attend the Sabbath services. DesuUte, lonely . bachelors have to utu-nd to laundry or sempstress matters, so that their periods of rest are further encroached npu>>, miii thi-y are often on the move fo* 1 long hours each day. ->UNriAY School Library.- Our young fraternity will be glad t<> learn that the supply of new books has come to hand. Let us hope that they will perufee them carefully, and profit thereby.