LAWRENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 29

LAWRENCE.

June 5. — The severe frosts we are now experiencing seem to be making themselves felt, more especially to those up in years. Within the past few days two more of our old residents have passed away, Mr William Ramsay, an old Munro's Gully miner, who was buried last Friday. His illness was of very short duration, he having walked into Lawrence o:i the previous Saturday and dying on Wednesday. He was a quiet, unassuming man, and well liked by a large circle of friends. This afternoon Mr Win. Eckhold- passed away after an illness of about a fortnight. He was an old resident of this town, and one of the largest owners of town property, accumulated by sheer industry, combined with strict economy and integrity. He leaves a widow (to whom ho had only been married a few months), also a, sister (Mrs James Robertson), and other relatives. Those who came in the early sixties are becoming few and far between.

The dredging boom contines, and so much money is getting locked up in that industry that it is getting rather scarce for other purposes.

The roads are becoming very bad for all descriptions of traffic, and a journey to the interior at present is not a great treat, nor to be lightly undertaken.

The Fire Brigade's annual procession was a complete success, the illuminations and fireworks being a grand display. The concert in connection with it was well patronised, the Town Hall being jpacked to its utmost capacity, and, being a cold frosty night, those that remained to the dance thereafter were not a few.

From the falling off in the attendance roll of our public schools. I understand there is a good deal of sickness among&t children, chiefly from mea°les, colds, and such complaints.

V. r e are looking forward to the coming of our new magistrate and waidcn, who is expected hero at the beginning of iic::t week. I understand there is a, fair quantity df work waiting for him.