ROUGH RIDGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 25

ROUGH RIDGE.

May 4.— Grim and gloomy winter is fact approaching, but it is to be hoped that we shall not have a repetition-of last winter. During the past week we have had sharp frosts at, night at times— hilf an inch thick of ice one night. Most of the farmers are busy ploughing just now, and water is a little more plentiful for miners. School committee Election. — The usual annual meeting for the election of a school committee was held here on Monday last, and resulted in the election of Messrs R C Darling, E. Hayes, Wm. Marshall, F. H. Perry, C. Beck, 5. Lockhart, and F Harre. The first five gentlemen were members of the old committee. Mr Charles C. Rawlingon occupied the chair, and Messrs E. Jopson and G. Perry were appointed scrutineers. The first meeting of the new committee was held an Friday, Ist inst., when Mr R. Darling was appointed chairman and Mr F. H. Perry araa

reappointed secretary. I understand that Miss A. Rtwlinson has been appointed sewing mistress. The average attendance for the past quarter has 1 beon 37 03 -nfc of a total of 42 on the roll. Already the quest)' n >f enlarging the school has cropped 'ap more th«vn once It is to be hoped that when any triore building Is undertaken the board will aea Wv.it it is a little more windproof than the present structure. Shesp Worrying. — Mr Charles Beck, of Idabum, had the misfortune to have about 30 sheep worried last week Some of the poor animals had the hind quarters literally torn In ribbons. Farmers ia the vicinity should be on the alert, as they cannot tell how spon it may come their turn to receive a visit from these worrying curi. Owners of dogs with a propensity for this fiendish kind of amusement must be something less than human to allow such brutes to encumber the face of the earth, knowing their habits. It must mean a gieat blow to a struggling settler to lose SO- or 30 sheep in this way, in addition to the heavy losses of the past winter. 1 MININ&. There are no new developments in this industry to chronicle. As yet nothing has been done on •the large area lately acquired by the syndicate, owing, no doubt, to the fact that arrangements Tiro not yet completed for providing the necessary capital. Mr F. W. Inder, of Naseby, has applied for a licensed holding adjoining the ' Syndicate's ground. At the hearing last Tuesday the application was adjourned sine die. {Continued on-Poge SO.) The Bruce Herald says it is reported that Mr H. M. Driver, of the Horse Shoe Buah estate, has been left a legacy of £10,000 by a relative | in the United States. , i

Nimmo & Blair's " Standard " Sbbds are unequalled for quality of strain. Their produce take prizes' every where.