DIPTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 29

DIPTON.

July 24.— Last month we were priding ourselves on getting through the winter so nicely, tjut it turned out to be the proverbial crow laefore we were clear of the bush. At the beginning of this month we had a very heavy fall of snow, which, owing to frosty nights, hung about for a long time. In fact the ground was hardly cleared by the 20th, when we had a second "dose of fully 3in, which, from appearances, will see us through the month without any further instalments. Agricultural. — Farm operations are progressing slowly, owing to the weather. The frost in many instances has completely stopped the plough. Harrison's mill is still busy threshing eeemingly clearing up the odd lots about the district. The othei mills have retired for the Reason, having had a good run. The ballast I gang that were getting out stuff for the Forest j Hill railway have been discharged, as the line is supposed to be finished. There should therefore be a few unemployed about soon, between threshing mill hands and ballast men. Ecclesiastical. — We have had a Mr Shaw occupying the pulpit here for a couple of Sundays, and he left a very good impression. There ia no doubt but" he is the making of a good man. Of course we like our own Mr Brown very much indeed, and have no wish whatever to part with him, but if he gets a call to something better, I don't suppose we will he able to go with him, and Dame Rumour lias it that the Taieri people have an eye on Slim. We have a grand new organ for the church, and if we had only a choir in keeping with it, the church would then be pretty complete. Accident. — Mine host of the Railway Hotel met with an accident the other night. He slipped on the frost and broke one of his ribs. He had been in but poor health prior to the accident, and when Dr Hogg examined him he found he was suffering from pleurisy. He has had a tough time of it, but I am glad to be able to say that he is now progressing favourably. Trout.— Eanger Mackay has not yet made up his complement of ova. The river has not been in the best condition for most of the season, and the nights when he might have done weli were far too bright. Most of the big fish are Bow spent. Dancing. — Our Quadrille Assembly meet levery Friday evening, and they have some very enjoyable nights — nice attendances and good • music. Amusements. — The Black concert, sr long talked about, is still on the tapis. I hear, > fcavAver, it will positively, come off about the

middle of August, and as Mr Black has a pretty full complement of pupils, past and present, he shoxild be able to make a good -show.