PUREURI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2387, 30 November 1899, Page 33

PUREURI.

November 27. — The splendid rains of the last week, coming, as they did, just when most needed, wonderfully improved the outlook for the farmer and grazier. In many fields the crops were beginning to suffer from the combined efiecta of wind and drought. Grass too was giving way. Now, however, we have promise tof abundant pasturage for some time. Dairy Factory. — The annual meeting of the Pukeuri 'Dairy Factory was held to-night, and was lairly well attended. In the absence of the chairman of directors, Mi Cagney was voted to the chair. The uu*ual report and balance

sheet. w*-e reai and adopted. Messrs* FainiT* tori, Bee, and Schulter were elected directors. The directors reported that a complete buttez plant had been put in, but the demand for cheese being b >od, and prices highly satisfac-; tory, it was found better to continue manufacturing cheese for ike present. Everything waa in first-class order, and tlie prospects of tho company h^ad never teen been better. The milk supply at present i,-< almost up to 700 gal a day, and is confidently expected to go up to 800 gal. There are 27 suppliers, of whom, 21 are local, as against 11 last year. When the factory was started -^c -roakers predicted that it would run .or a yea and then be converted into a public hall c. something else. Well, the factory has now been running for five seasons, and although shareholders have not draw, many fat dividends, yet these gloomy predictions have not been realised, nor are they likely to be.

Roads. — During the long spells of dry wea ther these become badly worn and very rough. They, as well as the crops, are benefited by the rain. At last the railway station road is to be put in order by the Railway department, and then taken over by the County Council. This would no dovibt have been done years ago had strong and united representation been made in the proper quarter. But what is everybody's business is nobody's business.

Political. — Two candidates, Messrs' Duncan and M'Pherson, are in the field, with Mr John MacGregor, of Dunedin, as a poseible third. So far less interest than usual has been taken in the election.

County Election.— Mr Borrie, the late member, was opposed by Mr Gardiner, of Papakaio, but was re-elected by a considerable majority. Cricket. — Little interest has" been taken iv the game of late, with the result that a Maere> whenua-Ngapara combined team beat PukeuriHilderthorpe on Saturday, the former team scoring 87 and the latter 53 in a one-inninga match. On the Prince of Wales's Birthday; however, the local players again beat a team from the Capulet C.C., Oamaru.