DIPTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 31

DIPTON.

July 2f -We have had fairly mild weather this month, bu^ rath"r =lopry. The roads have boon in a fp.u.'ul state. iLven the metalled roads were more muddy than they have been for many years past. \Ve had cur first fall of snow on Saturday night, 12th inst., and though ■snow has fa.'lcn on the hills round about sceral times since, we have been free from it on the flats. At present there is every prospect of an early spring.

Health Xoie. — Sickness of one kind or another hns bpffn pretty prevalent of late. Mr Millar, our head teacher, has be*>n one of the victims, and he was so bad at the time of the annual examination of the school that he had to absent himself on that occasion, and though he is now on the way to recovery, he is Still far from well.

Chaises.— Mi- R. B. Ross, who has occupied the position of railway stat'onmaster heie and in the north for the past 15 years, is, I learn, about to sever his connection with the department and enter into -the occupation of Kluerburn Farm, the properly of his deceased father. He has always had a le-aning to agricultural pursuits, and during the past few yeais has devoted a considerable amount of his time to scientific lectures and agricultural demonstrations at the Government Agricultuial College, and he should therefore prove an acquisition to the farming community of tjjfi Plains. I have it on good authority, also, that he intends to contest the Wakalipu seat at the forthcoming election. He is a man of good address, and of a genial disposition, and having a wide circle of friends, should have a good show of being returned. He haa a wide grasp of most subjects, and should make a good member.

Telephonic- — The residents here are petitioning to have a telephone bureau opened. As the wires ara already running past the place, the expense would be but trifling in putting us in connection with the outer world, and I hare little doubt but that our request will be readily responded to.

On the Move. — We were looking forward to the impioving of our httle town by a new residence for Mr T. Campbell, our local baker. Mr Campbell had gone to considerable expense levelling on the section, and had got the timber and bricks on the ground, -and the contract for building let, when he suddenly changed his mind and bought out Mr Aitken, of Lumsden, whose business he takes over at the beginning of August. I believe it is his intention to supply this district from Lumsden.

River Encroachments. — The river has made considerable inroads on the Great North Toad, just above the township, of late, and the County CcuecJ have- had to put in several more stone groins to protect the read. If they would put in one good groin well up the xiver, «o as to turn it into its o'd course, they would save a lot of anxiety, time, and money.

Social. — The English Church social was held on the 23rd inst. in the Public Hall, and was well attended. The report and balance sheet were well received, and unanimously adopted. The balance sheet dealt w»th some pretty lar^e figures for a sni.il! inland town. In round numbers, some £jOO had been raised, and much solid progress made. The building oi the church cost over £392, the furnishing over £17, incidentals over £10, and there is stili £3i to come in from subscriptions, and a vote from the S P.C.K. Society of £40. A great deal was done by free labour, both inside and out. Our vicar, Mr Wood, addressed the meeting at some length, and spoke very feelingly on the subject. He trusted the people would continue to take the same interest in the church, ajid that the parish would go on progressing. Votes of thanks were recorded to all who had so generously assisted in the work of the church, especially to Messrs Taylor, Brown, Varcoe, and West for fencing; Conley, Sparks, Musslewhite, and Sons, and all who helped w.th the concrete work; Woodward, Haruson, M'Carthy, aud others for carting; Woodward and Wilson, lay readers, Miss Perry, organist, and Mr Whitaker, church officer. The following committee was then plected — Messrs Whitaker (church officer), J. Reynolds, F. S. Woodward, T. J. Vaicoe, O. Conley, D. Evans, sen., W. MacLichlan, J. C. Sparks, G. Hampton, j.m ,S. Bratten, and C. Taylor. Songs, music, and games were freely indulged m, and refreshments were handed round at frequf-nt intervals A'together a bright and most pleasant evening was spent.