MOSSBURN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2368, 20 July 1899, Page 29

MOSSBURN.

July 17. — The weather here during the past 10 days has been very wintry, a heavy fall of snow being succeeded by an intense frost which lasted tin til yesterday, when a thaw set in ; but the weather still continues unsettled. The barometer is low, and another fall of snow is predicted before we have fine weather. The weather here in June and the early part of July was extremely fine, resembling an Italian winter.

Changes. — This remote and obscure settlement has had quite a record lately in the way of changes. Mr Milne bought the Commercial Hotel, which was lately destroyed by fire. In no manner daunted, he has now bought the Railway Hotel, and takes possession in August. Mr David Jack has bought the Key Hotel, and takes possession at once. Mr George Beer, of the Railway Hotel, is about to erect a new villa on his property of Round Hill, overlooking the township.

Fire. — We have had a fire, and a fire inquiry,* replete with all the embellishments of theorists. The difficulty is to detach fact, absolute, undeniable fact, from the theories promulgated. Not being able to satisfy ourselves here, we are suffering from a plethora of surmise, conjecture, and hypothesis. I am of opinion that it would require a Sherlock Holmes^ to clear this matter satisfactorily.

Educational. — Our school examination has not yet taken place, the inspector, I am told, being required in Wellington on matters pertaining to education generally.

Amusements. — Our bachelors give a ball on the 18th of August. Should it prove as successful as the last, it will be remembered until they feel disposed to give the next. It certainly promises well, as a strong committee was formed on the 18th to. carry it out, and a large number of invitations are to be sent out.

Agricultural and Pastoral. — Ploughing was well forward before the snow fell. Very little autumn sowing takes place here. Ail classes of stock still manage to hold their own, and look well. I think the mortality in high latitudes will be insignificant, as less snow fell on up-country stations than here.

Political. — I hear of several probable candidates for political honours, of some of whom it may not be said, like Tennyson's heroine, that " They shall be weighted down with the burden of an honour to which they were not born." No, quite the reverse.

Presentation. — Our late pastor, Mr Dickie, was presented by the ladies of Lunisden with a suitable souvenir as a token of their esteem and appreciation of him as a minister and member of the community.