MILTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2507, 9 April 1902, Page 31

MILTON.

I April 7.— With the exception of a small quantity threshed from the stook and a few stacks j secured before the weather broke, the ! bulk of the gram m the district • is still standing in the "paddocks. I It goes without saying that this has been badly 1 damaged by the wet. Complaints are general j of the gram, especially wheat, sprouting in ' the stook, and even where wheat is uncut the J ears have in some cases been found to be j springing. The weather is still broken, and 1 kesn disappointment is felt by farmers at a harvest, from which they expected so much, turning o\U so unfavourable. , Woollen Mills.— The work of re-erecting the machinery at the Bruce Woollen Mills is proceeding apace, and it is expected that in a very short time row the works will be in fullgoing order again. The company is considered to be on a much more satisfactory footing than 1 formerly, and once operations .ire properly started, there is little doubt that it will soon become a dividend-paying concern. j Valedictory.— The Rev. H. E. Bellbouae, ™j.o is leaving Milton to take charge of the Wesleyan Church at Kaiapoi, was tendered a fare- ' well social on Wednesday evening last, when he was made the recipient of a handsome present in the shape of a silver inkstand from the members of his Bible class. In his reply, Mr Bellhouse spoke somewhat strongly on the difficulties he had had to contend with and the discouragements he had had to put up with since coming to Milton. i Obituary.— An old and widely-resrected resident in the district ha 3 just passed away in the • person of Mr William M'dw, -v:o d c-d a\. !>i3 I residence near Clarksville on Sunday last, 6th inst., at the age of 83. A native of Durufries1 shire, Mr M'Caw was brought up to the occupation of a shepherd, and it was while followI ing that vocation that he was enabled by dili- ' gent study and Teading to accumulate that 1 store of knowledge, especially on Biblical mattews, which served him in such good stead m after life. Mr M'Caw came to the colony over 20 years ago, and for many years followed farming" pursuits at Glenore, but a few years ago he retired, and has since resided near Clarksville. During his residence in the district, Mr M'Caw closely identified himself with the Presbyterian Church here, of which he was one of the most respected elders. Strongly conservative in his views, he opposed any innovation in the forms of church government or in its ! services; but did so in such a conscientious | and yet kindly manner that even those who held other views could not but admire' his sincerity | and respect his opinions. He could wield a | vigorous pen, which he was ever ready to use when he thought the furtherance of social and religious matters would be served thereby. As a writer to the press, he was well known, and as he always had the courage of his , opinions, no matter how unpopular these might be, his letters did not always pass unchallenged, and he some-times became engaged in controversy, in which, however, he was always able . to hold his own. In early life lie gained some I repute as the author of a book, entitled " Truth j Frae 'Mang the Heather," a book on Christian J evidences. Outside affaire of a social or rei ligious character, Mr M'Caw did not take any ' active part in public life, though he served- for ' some yeaTs on the Glenore School Committee. ' Of a sterling, upright Christian character, ever j ready to help on any gcod work by word or ! pen. Mr M'Caw will be much missed in the ' community, but more especially by the church I he served so faithfully and so long. Deceased j leaves a widow and family of four sons and six daughters to mourn their loss. Of the sons, 1 the eldest is m business at Waitahuna, one j is home missionary at Tuapeka West, another is Presbyterian minister at Pahiatua, while the fourth is arcnitect to the Southland Education Board.