MILBURN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2578, 12 August 1903, Page 45

MILBURN.

August 7. — Wo have had a great deal of rough ■weather during tho pa3t month, and shared freely in the heavy snowstorm that has been so troublesome up country. Beyond the breaking down of many large branches from the trees, it did little damage locally. Stock w-c-re in good condition, and ploughing operations were not seriously retarded.

Sickness and Death. — Quite an epidemic of illness haa recently spread through our usually healthy district. Colds, sore throats, and a prostrating influenza are common. Nearly «very house has had one of its inmates afflicted, and not a. few have suffered badly. Tho most distressing trouble was confined to one house — a small cottage occupied by Mr William Seed, jun. About a month ago his wife gave birth to a son, and was doing very well for a few days. Suddenly, however, alarming symptoms showed themselves, and she has had a long and painful illness, from which she is slowly recovering. Meanwhile her nurse (Mrs Whitehouse, of Circle Hill) became ill, and was removed to the nearest residence, the Presbyterian manse, wh?re, in spite of all that could be done, she gradually sank and died on Monday, July 20. The* nurse> had scarcely gone from Mr Seed's house before ho began to show signs of illness, and after a few days in bed he succumbed on the 18th July. The tragic naturo of the whole circumstances was heightened by tho fact that the poor wife and mother wa3 lying unconscious of her loss. Much sympathy is felt for her and the father of Mr Seed in tho sad trouble. The funeral of Mr Seed was largely attended. Tho R«v. Messrs Miller and Budd and Mr Taylor (for the Milton Oddfellows) conducted the last rites. Mrs Whitehouse was buried in Clarendon Cemetery, and tho hearse was followed by sl number of old friends to whose families she had so often been tho friend indeed. Since ■then Mr Seed, sen., has been taken very ill. At first his case seemed hopeless, but it is pleasing to be able to report that there is iiope of a recovery now. The peculiar nature of the case has caused quite an uneasy feeling in the community; but it is to be hoped that the stage of convalescence and recovery will soon ba reached.

Public School. — The head master of our ■chool was again compelled to lie by for a iew days, jind now the mistress is off duty through illness. Several children have been in trouble, 100. It i 3 high time that some change was effected in the position of the school building, so that the sunshine, which is at present excluded, may be enabled to show its welcome presence. Illness Among Horses.— Quite a number of farmers have had, in addition to trouble in their homes, serious inconvenience through sickness in their stables. Two valuable horses have died, and several have been under treatment for various disorders. The cold winds may have been responsible for a good deal of the trouble, though some think that soft and *' sweaty " oata k»->>* Mameihiax to do with it.

A good vet., living somewhat nearer than at Wellington would be of great benefit to the district.