RATANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2170, 26 September 1895, Page 23

RATANUI.

Skptkmher 2.l— The weather during the pas* week has been all that couH be desired, and w 9 hope for n)>)re of the same sort. Obituaky.- Our late county councillor has goue the way of all fIeHU. Mr Knowlos died ou the I6tk inst., the immediate cause of death being Bright's disease. He resided in this part of the country for about 12 years, having beon employed for a considerable time at the Big Mill, but latterly has been engaged in the occupation of farming at Upper Owalca. Mis Knowlua died florae mouths ago, and thus there is left a family of three girls arid two boys fathorleas and uiotherlesi, t but not friendless, as they have the sincere | sympathy of a larga circle ot acquaintances in their bereavement. SoccKSSioN.— The nominations of candidates for the vacancy caused by the death of Ml Ktiowles takos place «t Owak* on the 30th insfc. I cannot pretend to predict who will be the successful one, but I take the liberty, if it be such, of naming two gentlemen well qualified to represent the ratepayers, and I think either or both should as a public duty step forward it requested by the ratepayers. As I noted last week tho office of a county councillor ia no flineevwo, nnd few tr.en have the real ability, spare time, or position requisite in order to fairlr uphold the dignity of such an otiica aDd fulfil its duties with the exactness necaasary to euture the confidence of the ratepayers. Mr F. Brad Geld, of Upj.er Owaku, has been a metuber of the council previously^ and, so fur as I cm aware, g*ve thorough satisfaction, and I predict that lfha contents to be nominated uo other nee<l attempt to oppose him Air W. Carlton is well known, but untried, which fact, however, should not influence ratepayers very much. Mr Ctrltou ia well known to posHess the ability, and can afford th« uecesatvry time, and it ia almost a certainty that if he c >uld bn per.-nuded to accept nomination, and became a member, ratepayers would have no cau u e to regret their cuoioe. There may be other candidates, but I have had my pick, and bopa to vote for one or the other. Whoever is elected will, I hope, be in favour of abolishing the rotten system of 'conducting the business of the county which at present holds the council in office. Then probably, and not till then, shall we have a just and equitable' distribution of the people's money on roads and charity. Fish -Fish are said to bo very scarce inOatlin's river, especially flounders, and it is leported that certain men almost clen red the river of both large and small last season. If t-o, it is h pity they could not b« madVj an example of. Killing all sized of flounders almost means " killing the goose that la) 8 the golden egr." Poor Cows —A good many cows in various parts of the district are iv very low condition and infected with lice. A good dose of oil would b€ v«-ry beueiicial to them, perhaps more so now than at any other timo of the year. This dose, coupled with the graan which is now growing apace, would help to fill tho milk bucket in due time. Sifted wood aches rubbed into the cows' hair ar« a good remedy for lice