RATANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2167, 5 September 1895, Page 23

RATANUI.

September 2.— Th« weather during the past fortnight has been fine, although the storm glasses possessed by the local wet Wrajnes " indicated threatening! of "bad weather approaching" for several daye last wc«k, which, culminated in a light soowiitonn on Saturday afternoon, nnd it has apparently relieved the elements of some supeifluity.

Banks and Slips —On both sidei of Catlin's Lake there haw at various times been a large quantiiy of slips. On the south side especially the road is almost blocked. Th* fault lies in the fact that the baakx are iloped to a grade of i to 1, whereat they should be Ito 1. la many vlacei there is v large quantity of mica schist, which is very slippery watii wet. After the slipi, of course, the foundations c*n be *een, but it should hmvc htcu ascertaii c \ sooner, and the only remedy is to give tbo banks more slope, dre*s them down level, and take care that the water tables are cleaned, so as to carry off the stagnant water with which th«y ate now choked. These were formerly country baaka ; they are now county banks, an* the mountebanks are those who a f*w days ago sent down some more deposits from the banks when they wure hauling gate posts. lam not thinking of other banks— oh, no ! Of rank*, bonks, and cranks we have quite a quantum sujlcit. Arbor Day —This fixture was observed at Ratiiiui School on the 26th ult. Some settlers gave a few trees— Cnpresius macrocarpa and othera— and the school children also collected a number of cabbage trees, etc. There was no big fuss made, perhaps owing to the fact that the settlers have too many tree* already. However, the teacher, Mr A. Gow, and tht childretf"did a good duy's work, and the school committee are going to fence round the trees. Funous —I wiah to remind fruitgrowers again that unless they attend to their fruit trees they will probably lose them. Dreiaed with from 4oz to 6 z of lulphace of iron dissolved in Sgal of water to each tree, the fungus will be prevented from dtvelopiux round the tree. The Government pomologist recommends a dressing of 801b per aero fur orchards. If treefe can be fawd by a dressing ofeulpha'e, costing only Id euoh tree, they a»e well worth the small expense and trouble This is my second warning, and I hope it will be more heeded than th« first. In January next I hope to write more on this subject, and by that time there will bcmorelosnes.

Poison.— Many settlers here have laid poison thoroughly for bunny, while a few others have totally neglected to do so. This injustice to neighbours will, I trust, be attended to by the inspector in due time. 1 Biuciin 1 Rays ''—l have just noticed a child's book with thin title, and as it was bought at Mr John Reay's sale, it has prompted me to report the sale, which took place at Owaka on the 28th ult. The day was fine, and there wai a large attendance, many, as is usual on such occasions, attending to «ay farewell to Mr Reay, who has been in tbe district more than 30 years He was then one of a surrey party, which included Mr Glasgow Lotan, I thiak, and Chief Surveyor Adams, and I believ* their first work was to survey Newhaveu town»hip, which, by the bye, « not much more of a towaship now than it was then, and ii situated near the junction of the Owaka with Catlim's river. Everything Mr Reay offered wai sold apparently, and the prices must have been v«ry satisfactory to the vendor, if not to some of the purchasers. Approximately. I give the prices : — Cuwb, medium to good, j£3 We to £7 sa ; heifers, two y ar-old, up to £2 ss— better value than ihe cows ; two-year old bull, £4 ss; yearling calves, up to 355 ; scrubs, 265 ; draught gelding. £24— considered cheap ; other horses at full value*. The implements, household furniture, odds and ends, etc , fetched uood price*. Mr Reay's farm was «old privately to Mr Walier Stoddart, at £5 10* i>er acre. Another section, partly improved and situated near the old »ifce of the " little mill," was cold by auction to a Mr Todd, of the Taieri, at £3 10» per acre. Mr lteay has a fninily of six, Mrs R*ay being his secoud wife, and 1 am informed that it is wholly on account of Mrs Reay's continued indisposition that Mr Keay is leaving the district. Thty are going t* Wellington first, pre«umably to seek better health and a home in place of the one they have lon« Nved. When I wish Mr and Mrs Reay and family all the health and wealth the world can afford them, I know that I Khali express the hearty wmhee of the large circle of friends they are leaving behind. Gkass.— Ju-st a fortnight ago the grass began to movo, aad is now growing apace, except on the flats, where frosts are yet somewhat keen and frequent. Carjiying Coals to Newcastle.— The Owaka corrwipondent n»ys he "wa« rather surprised to find out that the number of sleepers to a mile averages about 3DOO, and as there is about tiro miles laid, the West Coast must have supplied a good few thousands I hear some of those supplying sleepers locally got their sleepers condemned if th«y skow the Blighteßt bit of 6»pwood, and >et they ara putting in West Coast ones worm-eaten." Ke^p awake, Owaka, and don't let those sleepers rest.

Accident —An unfortunate Occident occurred on or about Wednesday last. A Mr Stewart (father of Louis F^ewait, by way of distinction) was engipod felling timber for slecpeis He was working alone, and when found was uru-hed to death, hardly a bone in his body being unbroken.

Bachelors' Ball.— This eventuated at Owaka on the 30th ult., when there wm a muster of about 50 couples bent on enjoyment— about the only port of fun the young 'uns are privileged with. The hall (Patemm's) was elaborately decorated for the occasion ; and everything went merry as the marrags balls. The belles were attired in their usual neat and tasty manner— the nasty "rheap and gaudy" being avoided. The refreshment*; were all that could be desired, and there win a total abaence of any indication that there was anything strong in the district. Fruit, temperance drink«, and eatables were supplied at a moment's notice for the asking, and were of excellent quality. Music was supplied by Miss Murray (piano)and Mr Carrick (violin). A goodly number of songs were well sunn and much appreciated. About other son/js I say nothing. Mr W. Gillon danc«d a hornpipe, which was evidently well received. Mr James Hora acted in the capacity of M.C., and the happy party, well tired of one of the best "sprees" there has yet been held in the bush district, separated for their several homes about 5 a.m.

Ratanui Band.— The band promoter* have now about £4 in hand, accrued from the late concert, and are canvassing for subscriptions, with a liberal response. They are also on the lookout for instruments—new or second hand— with a view to

purchase. Hicij) Over.— l have several other subjects on my "little list "to deal with, but I am afraid I

have already monopolised too much space for one week, nnd shall therefore have to defer writing on them till next week.