ALDURY (S.C.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 40

ALDURY (S.C.)

Juno 25. — Winter has put in an appearance in such an obtrusive manner that his mi welcome though seasonable presence is kpenly felt. Beautiful weather had been experienced for several weeks, and the community were beginning to forget the deplorable results attending the protracted spell of wet weather experienced prior to the favourable turn. Folk were unhesitatingly of opinion that a good open winter would surely follow so wet a fall, but, alas! their prophecy is receiving a rude shock.

Stock Sales. — Stock are beginning to look well, though, contrary to predictions, feed is fast vanishing, a fact no doubt accounting for the pronounced slump in sheep at the recent Icoal sales, when even the better class of sheep could bs bought at le3s than was paid for them three months ago, while old stuff could not be given away. Cattle, however, are meeting ■v/ifch better attention, especially in th© case of dairy cows. Young horses also are inquired "for.

Land Settlement. — Considerable stir has of late been noticeable in this respect. Any section offering on the Albury immediately commands attention. Several changes of ownership have been effected, and a visit paid a week or two back to the neighbourhood by the Land Purchase Board, inspecting that part of the vast Levels estate, adjacent to the townahip, gave rise to much speculation ps to the upshot, and no doubt hope fathered th« rumour that the Government had subsequently purchased the Levels. Undoubtedly in thi3 case it is particularly desirable that the rumour should prove correct, as was the case with reference to the offering of the well-known Opawa estate to tho Government. Rumour has it that the offer is at a price that should literally be jumped' at. As for its suitability for cutting up for closer settlement, there cannot b© a shadow of a doubt, the greater part being of fine rolling downs on a limestone formation. The whole estate has an ea-stern aspect, and it is all •within easy reach of the railway. In short, if judiciously subdivided, this property should mako an. ideal settlement, and once put on the market, especially by Government, it will attract a crowd of applicants, and prove a boon to the- district, to say nothing of the inevitable increase in the railway traffic.

Social Matters. — "It never rains but it pours," and this has been our experience Int3ly. On the 19th inst. the Presbyterians held a soiree in aid of tho fund to fence the site and plant trees, etc., and also to extend 1 an introductory welcome to their new pastor, the Rev. Dr Black. Success attended the function in a most decisive manner, and the large gathering dispersed well satisfied with their outing. It was a gloriou3 night, and an excellent programme had been airanged, and was efficiently executed. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the system adopted, anil the tastefulness of the supper provided and dispensed by the ladies of the district. — T'.ia following evening tho Cricklowood school fo'k ran their annual social, which also passed off •with characteristic success. A beautiful night, a capital programme, and good music were sufficient to satisfy the most wanton critic. The bountiful supper was supplied by the ladies. A pleasant innovation was a presentation to Miss Smart, who is leaving the school to take up another appointment neat her parents' home at Glenavy, Waitaki North. The chairman made the presentation in a neat speech, remarking feelingly on the district's loss, and expressing the hope that continued success •would attend her labours. He then asked her to accept from her friends of the district n Blight token of the'r esteem in the form of eight beautifully-bound volumes of poems, and on behalf of the Sunday School children, a n?at little hymn and prayer book, gifts that were suitably acknowledged. I understand that Mibs Williams, recently ol Belfield, succeeds Miss Smart.