FAIRLIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 33

FAIRLIE.

August 28. — Up tc the present the district has been favoured with a wonderful winter. Before midwinter the froste were keen and for a short time ploughing was stopped, but early 111 July mild weather set in, and agricultural operations have been in full swing ever since. There has been little or no bad weather from a farmer's point of view all winter, and in the back country the " oldest inhabitant " must tax his rnemoiy to think of another season so favourable. There has been sufficient rain to set grass growing, little snow to trouble the sheep, and favourable winds for burning off the tussock, so prespects are at present good. The farmers all round are doing a good deal of ploughing for spring ciops and grass.

Land Settlement. — The new settlers on Punaroa arc busy. Dwellings are going up on several of the sections. Some settlers are already in residence. Others are taking advantage of their year's grace 'to put up fencing and make other improvements first. The favourable season lias given the settlement a good start — a great contrast to the first year of the Rakjtairi (Arawhenua) settlement. The settlement is naturally bringing increased business to the railway and post office, and the Mackenzie County Council has been making arrangements for improved telegraph and telephone facilities. It is contemplated if possible making bureau stations of Fairlie, • Kimbell (Pun.sjoa), Burlse's Pass, and'Tekapo^ and

getting several private houses, stations, and business firms connected by telephone to Fairlie. If the arrangement is carried out it will be possible to communicate direct with Timarir, firms, a great convenience sometimes in business rnatteis.

• Our Railway Station. — The question of build-, ing a verandah at the Fairlie railway station seems to be too great to be hastily settled. Probably if the Minister for Railways were to land in Fairlie or? a dark, snowy, or rainy night in winter and have to hunt for his luggage on the wet platform he would see thn question from the point of view of the Fairli« public.

Volu:iteeiing. — Our volunteers, the Mackenzie Mounted Rifles, are sticking to their worli well under the able instruction of Sergeantmajoi Jones, an enthusiast at his work. Th<\ trcop is now at full strength with full complement of officers and surgeon-captain attached. The non-commissioned officers have received acting appointments, and are working hard" under Captain Gillies, getting ready for then examination in the course of the next month. The first period of musketry instruction is being gone thiough, and 59 men fired in th« Third Class the first day, only three failing tc pass. The average was 20, the best being 34. In the Second Class some have already fired, and 66 is at present the best score. The troop intended going into camp early in September, but owing to the impossibility of being supplied with rifles (only 60 have been supplied;, belts, haversacks, etc., it has been decided tc postpone the camp till a future date. Th« uniforms are to be delivered' immediately and) the troop will then look what it really is — a smart body of men, active and well-drilled. At present though its drill, both mounted and dismounted, would do credit to an older corps, the motley garb of .civilian life prevents it showing as it .should. There- is great 1 interest being taken in the troop by the public generally. The honorary - members' list is constantly growing, and fresh donations of prizen for shooting are frequently being made. Tha great proof of the interest being taken is in the excellent turn-out for mounted drills, when employers make it convenient to allow men ti get away to parade. May this feeling long continue, as it will when employers find theii consideration returned in kind by their employees.