RONGAHERE.

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

RONGAHERE.

July 7. — The other evening, whilst enjoying my after-dinner smoke, my meditations were interrupted by my batter half remaning, "Why don't they poll-tax bachelors?" "Well, my dear," I observed, " they are very useful sometimes, you know, especially when their advice or assistance is required on— well, we'll say,

"School Matters." — "The idea," she exclaimed, "of bachelors knowing anything about children! It's my firm conviction the more you listen to a bachelor the more egotistical he will become, till finally Jie comes to look upon himself as being a sort of universal coixtie pole, around which all things revolve. I'm not going to vote for ' our Tom ' at next election unless he promises faithfully to ' poll tax ' n\\ bachelors over 40. They are just a hum o.ig- they and their dogs and old torn cats. ' At this stage I fell asleep and dreauit tlrit T was iDachelorising again in that dilapidated old hut up the gully, with its bag-lined walls and smoky chimney. An old "torn" was sitting on the far corner of a greasy table, with one feline eye on the " billy " and another on the frying pan, whilst I was doing an epicurean repast from a couple of underdone chops and a chunk of damper, with tho assistance of a rusty knife, broken fork, battered pannikin, and tin plate to match. — Our school is now closed for the midwinter holidays, and Miss Annett is spending her vacation among her friends in Central Otago. I am informed that on her return this talented young lady intends organising a debating or mutual improvement society. I wish her every success in this undertaking,- as it will be a very useful and pleasant way of spending a winter evening.

What the Weather is Doing. — The late severe frosty weather haf> had a marked effect npon our local induttries, more especially that of the fur trade, which came almost to a standstill. Manuka ha 3 been going down, whilst whisky and furniture have had an upward tendency. Firewood and patent spuds are on the boom. Noo I'll tell ye o' a gallant chiel That kens a thing or twa (Ye're aye sure of hearin' somethin' Ance I start tae wag ma jaw). Weel, he's takin' up a section, Gaun tae clear aff a' the scrub, Plant it oot wi' eucalubtus, An' start manufacturm' the drug. Ance his trees are a fu' grown, Twa three liunner feet or mair, He'll supply us a' wi' firewood, ■ An' hae lashin's ower tae spare. Syne he's gaun tae bigg a railroad — At least that's hit they say — ■ Tae tap this michty forest O' blue gums on the brae.