RATANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 29

RATANUI.

March 30. — Since niy last notes the weather has not been of the best for harvest work, but the past week has beau an exception, and I venture to predict that -there will be no oats cut in this district after to-day. The roads have uried up well, an: 1 promise to be good for Eh ster. Roads and Road Works. — Grert activity is being shown in metalling the roads this year. In a short time the main load will be made fairly good to Owaka. One gang is busy doing the woist places from Ratanui to Tahakopa. I see the Cluth?. County's contractor hs.s not yet made a start with Warwick's, road. Annual Social. — The annual social took place in the Ratanui School on Thursday last. There was a large attendance of the public, several ministers bong also present— viz., Rev. Messrs r 'u-ri" and M'Alhster and Mr Torrance (from Dunedin), who delivered very interesting addiesses l'iie choir gave a. veiy good account of themselves. New Settlers — Now settlers arc the order of the day. Mr Gibb has now arrived with his family and stock. He appears to be n man of the right stamp to make a home in the bush. He has takea up the section lately occupied by Mr J. Lumsden. Mr Thornton, I hear, intends to permanently settle on hi<3 section in the Catlins Valley. When once the tram is running to the Catlins budge there will be no vacant sections in this locality.