MILTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 33

MILTON.

November 26. — The flood, which caused considerable loss in other parts, did comparatively little damage locally. The rivers and creeks rose rapidly and higher than they have been for many years, but the water quickly subsided, and, though in a few instances young crops were permanently damaged, in most cases the* injury done is only temporary. Grass lands, which were under water, suffered pri • cipally thiough the deposit of silt left by the receding water. More serious damage was done to the Fortification railway. In places the strong current of water caused washouts, which will take some time to repair. Formation had just been completed,. but the work had not been taken tiff the contractor's liands, and -on ""im will therefore fail the responsibility of making good the damage done. The Ueward of Zeal. — During the heigh* of "the plague scare the local borough council, wishing to make the town somtiliing better than a whited sepulchre, arjpointed an inspector of nuisances with powor to summon for breaches of the by-laws, payment to be the fines inflicted. Spurred on by this in-

— ■■■■-"'■ ■■■ '■ •■> .<.™--^.. ~ -~* ctntive, i*he inspector quickly got into liT^ ncs?, and for a tune all went well, and many objectionable features about i~-+e town's samV :at_on weie remedied. At last, however, the scare abated, and a desire was shewn in rnsnjr quarters to allow things to drift back to where-, they had been. The inspecW, .however, con'" tinned* tc pn-sue the e-\ en tenor if nis way nr^' til m a moment of indisereiion, he bejjan toi critic.se tke rrangements of the back yar<-lsi of the veiy councillors themselves. Th ; s" sumption on the pait of the inspector so oui* raged the feelings of one of ihe counciilflaa, fiat wher the report came before the counoili he discouiserl very vigorously on the inspector and his v/^rk perera I.yr'1 .yr' To smooth his ruffle6"i feelings the council p»=sed a resolution thai" 1 the inspector tc informed that he need send m no further repoits. Thi^ was supposed by many tc be virtually dispensing with the services of the inspector, but that gentleman thought otherwise, and with an eye, no doubt, on possible fines, continued to ferret out the tOT/j/s insanitary spots. His action in this respect b: ought on another long discussion at the last meeting of the council, and a resolution was at length moved that the inspector be intimated that his services were no longsi required. The majority of the councillors, tc their credit be it said, refused to pass ths resolution, and things are at present to remain where they are. The council is, however, in the peculiar position of employing a man to dc certain works of inspection, but who runs'; not tell his employers about what he sees. Things are not v likely to be left long in thai, anomalous position, and it is pretty saife to predict that in the near future the inspector will be relegated once more to the obscurity of private life. • Encampment — The Bruce Rifles have jusi completed a most successful week's encampment. The camp was pitched on the shoV ground, an ideal spot for such a purpose, as is is well sheltered and convenient to the tows, while the booths, etc., form excellent mess' rooms for both officeis and men. The cam» propel was to have commenced on Friday evening, 16th inst., but as rain fell in torrents just as the men paraded, it was deemed advisable aitei pitching the tents tc postpone other airangements until Monday evening. Since then beautiful weather has prevailed, and a week's excellent work has been put in. Camp and field work have received a good deal of attention, and the men have also undergone some instruction in digging shelter trenches, the first time, it is said, .work of this kind has been undertaken by any volunteer company in the colony outside the Engis neers. On Thursday evening the company was inspected by Colonel Webb, after which something in the nature of a sham fight took place between the District High School cadets ana the volunteers. Yesterday afternoon the brasa band mustered at the camp, and played a number of selections of sacred music, while in the evening the company, headed by the band, attended divine service in the Presbyterian Church. During the encampment Sergeantmaior Towler was present in the capacity of instructor.