RATANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2511, 30 April 1902, Page 31

RATANUI.

April 27. — The weather for the pa c t month has been very bad. one continual drizzle, the only redeeming point being that it has been warm. To day is bright and sunny, and ii, looks as if the weather had cleared. There is a sharpness in the air which indicates frost at no distant date. The rain has not been a local rain, but has evidently visited the greater part of the South Island. Roads. — Owing to the damp werther, the road 3 are already in a bad state. What they will be like before the winter is over remains to be seen. Already the coach fare has been raised, and it now costs nearly «s much to go fiom Ratanui to Owa-ka and back again as it does to go from Owaka to Dunedm. No doubt the cost is exorbitant, but when one considers the price of horse feed and the bad roads, it is not much to be wondered at. A Juvenile Burglar.— A good deal of excitement was caused here wheu the .report became general that Young md Clapperton'.s store at Owaka had been broken into ; and our astonishment was great when it appeared that Ratanin had supplied the delinquent in the shape of a lad of some 13 summers. No doubt ha had been hearing some bushranging tales, and, not being too strictly brought up, he started off on his own. However, he was quickly brought to bay, and was committed to the Industrial School, where he will no doubt have time to regret the course he adopted. Dairying —The cheese factory is still open. THe grass has held out fairly well this year. Tlicj-p arc still some oats standing m the stook. It will, however, be of very little use now except for mantiri' Only the fortunate few who secured t'l" r ._rops bcloip the wet weather set xn ure I . V '■ I v t> ifap the benefit of the good price ii' i )*£ Potatoes are a veiy good crop in j)'?'' 1 -, b'lt one li'r^ly hpars of a. crop of DerWMits in tlits district. Many of the newer kinds =r''in to do better on the bush land, such a-^ B:n(» p"a<'h blossom, and kidneys.