ST.BATHANS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 35

ST. BATHANS.

June 20. — The weather for the past week has softened the ground — r&in, more or less, falling on five consecutive days. This has given a, copious supply of water for mining and other purposes. The various mines are now in full swing night and day, with expectations ot getting a wash-up before the keen frost sets in. The open weather has also done much good to pasturage, causing the natural feed for stock to be exceedingly abundant for this peiiod of season; but the heavy rains have caused the Manuherikia and Duf.stan Cresk to be in half-flocd. The rising of the Manuherikia causes some anxiety to the travelling public, owing to the rough and dangerous crossing that has to be undertaken to reach the opposite shore. The settlers in the district have -found out. or remembered, that the General Government had voted a sum of money for th-e purpose cf repairing the Bridge of Alian that spans the Manuherikia River on the Main road to Dunedin. Before entering on repairs a. Government official, with the county engineer, inspected the structure that takes the place of a footbridge. They arrived at the ccnclusion that it would be an injudicious expenditure in laying out money on repairing Allan bridge, as it was in a state of decay from end to end. They concluded it would be better to wait for a year or two, and get a. larger sura voted for a main traffic bridge. The 3'ear or two has expired, and the inhabitants have faken steps to get the vote renewed, and', as I have learned, a monster petition is to be presented to the County Council at the nest sitting of that body, praying councillors to take immediate steps towards the erection of a safe traffic bridge across this exceedingly dangerous river. It. is put down as sheer good Juck by those who have experienced the ciossing of this river when in flood that no serious calamity has happened to life and property, several narrow escapes having been chronicled from time to time. The petition has been numerously signed by commercial men pia! others who have occasion to tiavel to and from St. Bathans and C<uiibriau&.

Health Xote. — There is nothing serious to leport in respect to the community in St. Batltans or its neighbourhood. Old and young seem to be enjoying fair health, which, means slack times for our medico. The young man who had his leg dislocated at the football match between Ophir and St. BatliAits left the Cottage HospiUl last Sattudsy, Ms business necessitating his removal to Ophiy. The other innate of the hospital, \\ho was oneiated on, is piogressing favourably, but is still an mmite cf the institution.

Ecclesiastical. — Since the departure of the I?ev. James Gellie from the Laud^r charge the Dunstan Presbytery has done well iv making piovislon so thst no break in. church services lirs taken place in Lander parish since Mr Gellie's departure. The services or both gentleman who have conducted divine service at the various stations of the- parish hsve been ittiich appreciated by the different congregations v.'lto have had the pleasure of hearing them preach the "Word of God.