MIDDLE MARCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 30 March 1904, Page 31

MIDDLE MARCH.

March 28.— Quite the severest shock of earthquake that lias ever be?n knov.v here was felt on Sunday morning about half-past 2 o'clock. A littie more shaking and quaking, and some of us would, I really believe, have thought we had taken flight in our sleep and landed at Cheviot. It was somewhat alainung, and indeed startling. I understand the shock was even more severe towards JSTenthom.

Anglican.— The Right Rev. Dr l\ T evill held a cor.fi i relation service in the Anglican Church j'esterciay. only four candidates coming fcrw-ard for confirmation. The Bishop was to be entertained by his people at a social on Saturday night.

Firearms. — What might have caused a most serious accident occurred here last week, when a young fellow, who had been drinking heavily for some days, discharged a revolver off the ■verandah of Mrs "Webb's Railway Hotel in tho direction 01 the railway station yard. Mr W. Moynihan, who liapp&ned to be in the yard at the time superintending the trucking of grain, had a very narrow escape, the 'bullet going close past his head. The culprit was had up before Mi W. D. Mason, J.P., who let him off with a nominal fine, which amounted to £1, including costs. Why do we wonder at crime a.t.aJ'l when .a case like this i 3 let off so lightly, instead of making it. an object lesson to others. IFancy a young mail drinking himself to nothrng short of madness for days, a.nd then to bo allowed to go about with >a loaded revolver. lives arc not safe xiiicler STi-oli circumstances. Next on the list was 'an old mart named M'Killup, better known as " Old Burnside," who has been in the habit of travelling about this district loafing on the settlers aaici making himself «, perfect nuisance. He ■was also had up on Friday, before Mr John Elliot, 0.P., who ga,ve him a Government billet for three months. - Constable Paterson took him to Dunediii^on Friday, and 1 we all hope hs will remain there.

"Vaccination. — Dr 'Will, from Abbotsforo, paid a vis-it to this district last week for the purpose of vaccinating the children who were not already done. Quite a small army were vaccinated during his visit, but I am afraid ha will have to repeat the dose in several cases where the vaccine did not take.

"Weather. — We aa-o enjoying beautiful sunny days at present. The coldl snap of last week was Tatrher unwelcome — snow on the hills and severe frosts at night, perishing the vtry few remaining tender plants and flowevs. Hcwever, no doubt, it tiill <To good in other ways: it may arrest the blight before it gets too far in its ravages.