DIPTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2326, 29 September 1898, Page 25

DIPTON.

September 26. — After all, we have^experienced the floods we were so anxiously hoping, bo avoid. For the past fortnight the weather Bias been more or less unsettled and showery, though the rain was chiefly local, and the first flood was caused principally by the rain that Sell in the high country beyond Mossburn. jit was not, however, a serious flood; but on [Friday last the river began to rise rapidly, and by 10 p.m. it was overflowing its banks. At 6.30 a.m. on Saturday it was at its highest, and was running through the township in all directions, and playing havoc with the low•lying cultivated lands. It is too early yet to be able to ostimate the amount of damage done, but it will no doubt be considerable. •Tho garden plots about the township, though Slot damaged to a^y great extent, had their pristine freshness wiped out by being covered ,«p with sand. Agricultural. — Though we have had an amount of spring weather we have also had a "lot of frosts and cold snaps, which have considerably zetaxded growth, and grass is very scarce, though now coming away nice and green. The farmers have few idle moments at -present, all being busy getting in their crops. Stock Sale.— The stock sale on the 26th ult. ,was too early in the season to be a great success. Would-be buyers were diffident owing to the shortness of feed; nevertheless a good many lines changed hards. Entertainment. — The Sunday School entertainment on the same evening was an unqualified success. The hall was literally crammed from stage to door, and all the performers acquitted themselves most creditably. The children deserve special praise for their club exercise and maypole dance. These items were admittedly the gems of the evening, and demonstrated the great care and pains taken by their teachers to bring them to such a state of efficiency in so short a period. Ball. — The Bachelors' Ball, on the 16th inst., ■was also a great success. So great a gathering, especially of the gentler sex, was never known here before, and great praise is due the management for the smooth and pleasant way 'everything passed off. It is unnecessary to go into details here, as I understand a description of the affair will appear in the Ladies' page. Dairy Factory. — At the annual meeting of tho Oreti Dairy Factory Company, held on the 17th inst., the balance sheet, showing a profit of £Si 5s lOd, was unanimously adopted. It goes without saying that but for the low prices ruling last year for cheese the profits would have been greater, but it also speaks volumes ior the management that they came out with a profit at all considering the smallness of tho supply. If the supplying shareholders would look at it in the proper light, and double or even quadruple their supply, and encourage all to do the same, they would get a handsome xeturn for their milk, even at last year's prices ifor cheesa It would cost little more to run a larger supply, and the balance would all go to fawell the price given for milk. The chairman, Mr R. D. MacLachlan, announced to the meeting that they had secured the services of their old manager, Mr J. Taylor, a statement .which seemed to give general satisfaction. Amusements. — The Fredo3 'gave a performance here on the 22nd inst. to a very poor audience. • It is a bad time of the year for .travelling shows to visit agricultural districts. Partners and their men can't possibly spare ±he time for such things just now. — Mr J. Black proposes giving one of his pupils' concerts some time in November. I should say it will be an anxious time for the pupils be/feween now and then, as, if I mistake not, [they will all be debutants, and, putting proJficiency on on 6 side, none but those who have passed this point can duly appreciate the feeling. However they are in good haaids. Obituaiy. — Sickness in one form or another "" is still pretty rife throughout the district, and it is my painful task to have to chronicle the death on the morning of the 20th inst. of Miss Maggie Marshall. This is the third death in the family sinca the 17th May 1893, on which day the father died, then a younger sister, and hot poor Maggie. The family are greatly reapected in the district, and Maggie was an especial favourite, as she could not help being [for her inherent goodness, and she will be greatly missed by her juvenile acquaintances. She was just ovei 18 years old, and had been ailing ■ for some little time, and never was a /strong girl. Deep sympathy for the bereaved {family is felt by the whole district. The Juneral on the 22nd was largebz attended.