KAITANGATA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2199, 23 April 1896, Page 23

KAITANGATA.

~ April 2o — The cold, wet, and boisterous weather which has prevailed for the past two weeks has somewhat retarded ba< vest operations. Tb.reeb.ing has commenced, and in some instances the returns are beyond the moat sanguine expectations, Mr A. Smaill, of the Ba.llo.iu farm, having an average of fully 60 bushels to the cere.

Bowling The bowling club and volunteers had a duel competition last week. On Wednesday a match at bowls took place, and resulted in a two-thirds victory for the club. On Satnrday the return match— a shooting competition— took pl-.ee, and notwithstanding that the volunteer team was composed of the best men, tbe trundlora prevented a two-thirJ3 victory. At the clos« of both matches both teams adjourned to. Host Smith's Club Hotel, where an enjoyable hour was spent in toast »nd song. Coal-mining. -I understand the Knitangata Railway and Coal Company have commenced boring operations with the view of increasing their works, so that the daily increasing demand for this favourite household and steam coal may be met.

The Brunner Relief Fund.— An active canvass has been nude on behalf of the widows and orphans left destitute by the Brunner explosion, and at the time of writing the sum of £176 has bern collected, and it is expected that by the end of the present week the sum will have reached £200. A very prominent feature of the voluminous correspondence which has appeared relative to the Brunner accident is the mismanagement of the Kaitangata relief fund. Locally, I may state, there is becoming an increased feeling of dissatisfaction as to how the money is distributed. Rumour has it that widows who have remarried— some a second time — since the unfortunate catastrophe are yet in receipt of money, while others are getting the children's allowance for member* of their family who have entered the bonds of matrimony a good number of years ago. For the truth of these allegations I cannot vouch, but nothing but a refuteraent from the chairman of trustees will satisfy subscribers who feel aggrieved. Political. — The fact of our member n*t deliveuug his pro-sessional address, nor yet paying a visit, so as to become acquainted with 'the wants and wishes of this portion of his constituents, is the subject of talk, and will prove detiitnental to the amount of support he will receive in this locality at the coming election. v School Matters.— Householders will do well to attend the meeting which takes place on Monday evening in the schoolhouse for the election oil a school committee for the ensuing year.

Street Lighting,— The contract for street lighting has been let, the successful tenderer being Mr A. Crawford. A Liberal Inventor.— Mr T. B. Pmith. proprietor of the Club Hotel and Public Hall, has invented a door which, although simple, is nevertheless very valuable as a mode of exit, mor« especially in time of fire. The patent is one thai can be fixed to any door, and publicans and pro. prietors of public halls would be amply rewarded by having their doors so arranged that patron: would feel - safe in- time of fire. Mr Smith hai decided to let the public copy the contrivance free of cost, and will gladly show it in full operation to any»ne desirous of taking advantage of it.

Coal Point.— The prospecting party at Coal Point, I have been credibly Informed, are highly pleased with the 'last month's returns. Thia is a class of work most .suitable for those who rank as unemployed. There i« a large area of black Band from Co*l Point to_ Measly Beach, and, strange to say, the party at both ends seem satisfied with results The outfit is a very inexpensive one, and the distance from Kaitangata about five miles.