DIPTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2302, 14 April 1898, Page 25

DIPTON.

April 11.— We are having very imsettled Weather, which is disheartening to the farmers, many of whom are still busy trying to get in their crops, some few of which are event uncut, and there is a deal of it out in stook yet. We had a few sharp frosts lately which completely cut down the potatoes. Those that were ripe will uot hurt, but many were late and only about half-giown, and the frost will certainly settle them. I hear there is little or no market for oats in Southland this season. I think, however, it may be that the farmer is anticipating rather too much. What with the reports of drought and bad harvests up north, coupled with the destruction of grass lands by fires, etc., we are looking for the market to open at nothing less than 2s per bushel at the least, and because this is not offered freely we say there is no market. Many talk of chaffing it if they don't get 2s or more for the oats. Dairying.— Our daily factory is still working away, although the supply is coming down pretty fast, and it does not seem likely that it will run through another month. The Babbits —Rabbit trapping is becoming a great industry about here, and it Eeems wondeiful •where they all come from. Moving about the district one sees an. odd rabbit now and again cross their path, but would never suspect that they are present in cartloads. This is, however, tieyond denial, as is pioved by the cart loads taken by by the trappers almost daily. If the demand only keeps up, and tiapping is given some degree of encouragement, ere long there will be a scarcity of rabbits here instead of a plethora. Charitable Aid. — We often hear of the vagaries of the administration of the Charitable Aid Board and the cost it is to the country, etc. 3SJo doubt it is a heavy tax, and as undoubtedly it is queerly managed in some cases. One poor ■widow here with a family of four depending on her has lately been in the receipt of 4s per week to keep the lot on. I don't know if Bhe also gets a homily on extravagance administered at the same time ; but with the assistance of kind neighbours and a due consideration for "tick" fihe and her family have managed so far to pull through. Some weeks ago, however, she met with au accident, and has been all this time, and is still, laid up, at which juncture the Charitable (?) Aid Board take it into their wise heads to cut off her munificent allowance altogether. What would happen if her neighbours did the same ? Perhaps the board think as her neighbo :rs are doing so much for her they might just as well do the lot. This is not the first or only time such a course of procedure has been taken, and the b&ard will certainly hear of it goon, as & cousidexabk amount of indignation is expressed here at the treatment accorded this unfortunate woman.