MIDDLEMARCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2454, 27 March 1901, Page 42

MIDDLEMARCH.

March 25.—Mi Graham M'Leod, labbit inspector, who has been stationed here for about three yea^s, having received notice of promotion and transference to Clyde, was entertained at a smoke concert at Webb's Hotel on (Saturday night. Owing to the short notice there were several absent who would have been only too glad to be present, and who would be disappointed at not receiving notice in time, but such are the exigencies of the country. The entertainment thtfugh hurriedly got up was well attended by a very good representation of the district. Th} speakers were unanimous in expressing regret at Mr M'Leod's departure from the district. After the xisval toasts, songs, and . recitations had been dispose* of, a very pleasant evening was brought to a dose by wishing Mr M'Lc-od and family every happiness in their new sphere of labour. Mr Maloney, who was chairman for the evening, and a host in himself, helped greatly to make the entertainment the pleasant affair it f ioved to be. Rabbis Industry.—l understand that a meeting of trappers was held at the Strath-Taieri Hot3l on Saturday night to protest against the low price offered by the agents—namely, 4d per pair; but what decision they came to I have not as yet heard. However, the trappers are maste*. of the situation in more ways than one. In the first place, if they will have patience for a week or two, the agents are almost sure to come to terms, and if not they can trap for the skins, which in a very short time will be worth more than the agents are offering now My advice to trappers is to possess their souls in patience for a little while longer, and things will come all right. But while on this subject I wonder why trappers in this district are paid less per pair than their brother trappers in Southland, and also why somj trappers in the same district receive more than others per pair, which I understand was the case here last year. There is apparently something rotten in the State of Denmark. Honesty is after all the best policy, even with irabbiters—they are white men, and egents should act straight. Weather.—The weather up lo yesterday has been fine for some time, but about 4 o'clock yestsrday afternoon we had a regular thunderstorm, but nothing to. what it was four or five miles up the plain. The Tain came down in torrents there, and the creeks were in flood m less than half an hour. Ifc cleared off by night, but was still somewhat equally, and to-day ia simply a cold, blowing, blustering winter, a day, with very cold showers, and no appearance of clearing up. Last week we had several hard frosts. Coming so early they will cut down grass, and will also do considerable damage to the gardens. Harvesting.—Harvest work has been progressing very well, the favourable weather at the commencement of the month being taken advantage of. Most of the crops are in stack, and some few lots have been already threshed, ftng fro» what I h«tur JU« yifld h&S fc«a* IM£

good. Me=srs M'Donald and Tisdale's mills are kept busy, and no doubt will be so for weeks to come.

Kmematograpb., — Mr Robson gave an entertainment to a crowded house on Saturday nignl, 23rd, and the affair was really very much enjoyed.