FORTROSE.

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

FORTROSE.

July 26. — Fortrose is still in^the same place, although there is only part of it" loft. Two very prominent buildings, formerly used as hotels, and situated in the centre of the township, were lately burnt down. One oi the buildings and its contents were injured, but the other was not. There is some talk of another brick buildir.g rising on the site of the old one

Political. — We are already entering on our triennial political warfare The present member. Mi M'Nab, is again to be opposed by Mr I. \V. Raymond, but the Coin-tv Council elections come off before the general election, aid the sitting member, Mr Raymond, is to have opposition. It has been suggested m th'» pTesa by the writer of a letter dated from here that the opposition comes from Mr Raymond's political opponents. This is> altogether wrong, as the prime movers in the matter are strong po'itical pupporters of that gentleman. At a meeting of latepayers held to-day, the question wa3 debated, and the choice of th-s end of the riding has been Mr H. J. Midd'eton. Mr Jas. Milne is mentioned as the choice of the north end of the riding, and I believe it is yet to be deeded which of these two gentlemen contests the election. They are both well known farmers, a..id either would make a very capable councillor. Mr Raymond has been a very live member during the long teim d years that he has been on the council, but there seems to be a general feeling all over the county that an infu«ion of new blood is wanted, and all the sitting members ar.3 threatened with defeat. It remains to be peen what effect the Farmers Union will have on the election. The local branch is BtlCJigly of tile opinion that the farmers oj the district should lie represented by one of themselves, bat it could "not gel the neighbouring branches to take a; > bteps m the matter

Coronation Lamp. — We erected a handsome l;imp pillar and lamp to commemorate the Coronation, the funds for which were subscribed by the public. At the wind-up meeting of the committee, the Chairman, Mr R. A. Eiliot, reported that the total cost was close on £17, and that tEe amount collected was short by nearly £3. He spoke very Btrongly on the quiihty of the patriotism that was very much in evidence wntil tha Docket was touchei, when

it quickly vanished. He offered to pay the balunce himself, out the members of the committee would not hear of it, but decided to share it amongst them. The lamp is a public benefit to the township, and as such should have met with the cordial &uppoit of at least tna township residents.

Agricultural. — Threshing is again over for the sißson. and the yield all over was a very fair ene — about 55 bushels to the acre. Some of the grain, however, was not got in iv veTy good order, but still. it brougLt a good price. The farmers are busy gcttmg the ground ready for the next season's crop. Turnips were a gcod crop, and rre lasting well. The weather is fine for the t me of year, but cold and damp, although very 1 hltle rain has fallen