KAITANGATA.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 33

KAITANGATA.

December 3. — We are having very changeable weather lately. Most of us would bs glad to see a little more sunshine. Yesterday it lamed very heavily from the south; to-day, although dull, has kept dry. The Molyneux was higher a fortnight ago yesterday than it has been for' the last two years, but it is again about its normal summer level, though it is still very muddy.

Our School. — I am pleased to be able to congratulate Mr Moir and his staff on the . inspector's report, just received, as it is most creditable to teachers and scholars alike. The school is to close on December 21 for six weeks' holidays. Subscriptions are now baing taken up for the purpose of getting prizes for our little folk prior to dispersing foi the Christmas and New Year holidays. Flaxmill.— This industry has been closed owing to a complaint having been sent to the Bruce County Council, alleging that it was the cause of polluting the water in the now notorious Kaitangata Creek. This is much to be regretted, as Mr John Caird was doing a big business, and employing a large number of handa. But rumour has it that our flaxinill will soon hum again, but on another site. In. connection with the closing of the flaxmill, I hear on good authority tuat Mr Sim, solicitor, of Dunedin, has, on behalf of Mr Caird, put in a claim for £500 damages against ane of the councillors of the Bruce County Council, owing to certain statements made at the last meeting of that body regarding the pollution of the water by the mill; and it is alsc stated that our creamery manager intends to vindicate his character, and, acting on 'legal advice, is alsomaking a claim for defamation of character, alleged to have been caused by certain letters written to the press by one of the parties interested. Unless settled privately, both cases will come on at the Supreme Court, Dunedin, in February. It remains to be seen how far' the flaxmill is guilty "of alleged pollution ofthe creek water. Where does the drainage of all the north end of the town go to, and who cut the canal and diverted the running water out ox the creek, and left it verily a stagnant pool? Tenders are now being called to clear out the old natural course— to vit, the creek.