RATANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2404, 29 March 1900, Page 29

RATANUI.

March 24. — The weather has been very bioken, but at the time of writing it looks moic promising. There is much need of some dry weathei to enable the settlers to get their crops stacked in good order. Nearly all the oats are cut and stooked, but they will soon turn black if the weather continues as wet as it has been during the past month.

Ciutha County Council.— -The Clutha County have just finished surfacing about two miles and a-half Oi the Catlins road. This work should have been done three months ?go, ana then it would have been dry and firm before the winter set in. This is the only work being done by the County Council on this side of the river. It is to be hoped Cr Saunders will not allow the question of "thirds" and "fourths'' to be dropped.

Sale at the Parsonage. — A sale of furniture was held at the Ralanui Parsonage on Friday, 23rd. There was a good turnout of the generni public, with the result that most of the fiirmttire brought prices nearly equal to top values. Mr Griffiths has not had a very peaceful sojourn here, and it is to be hoped he will be more successful in his next srjhere of labour. Departure. — I hear we are to lose the services of Mr White, who has so ably filled the office of schoolmaster at Tarara school since it was opened, eighteen months ago. He has got on extremely well, both with parents and children. Mr White is one of the few teachers who believe in teaching the children without using the strap, as he only uses that weapon in extreme cases, and then very lightly. Our loss will be the gain of the Katea people, and I earnestly hope they will appreciate their new teacher.

Holiday Cheap Trips. — A large number oi people left here to be present at the ceremonies in connection with the farewell to the Otago ana Southland Hough Riders. The Rough Riders have the good wishes of all who are left behind, and their career in South Africa will be' watched with much interest, and I am sure they will try to earn as good a name as those who have gone before them.