McKENZIE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2663, 29 March 1905, Page 35

McKENZIE COUNTRY.

March 19. — An exceptionally dry summer has been experienced here ; consequently feed is very mucdi dried up ; but as stock are not superabundant, no ill effect is being experienced. In fact, the merino revels in the pasture available, and grand clips have been the order of the day. With the big prices for wool and lambs plentiful, allowing of liberal culling, the fortunate owners have been able to participate abundantly of the fat harvest. No wonder, then, that pastoral hodings are in keen demand, b\it firmly held. The only station property in this locality about to change hands is Sandon, M>v Donald Burnett having rebought it of Messrs M'Kenzie and Ross. Mr Bunrett, since selling oxit last autumn, has enjoyed a lengthy holiday tour round the world, including South America and. his parents' homeland, Scotland; but no place seemed so inviting as home, with the above-stated result. In welcoming back our young squatter, Mr and Mrs Ross's many friends trust they are not intent on taking their departure -from our midst, but hope to !<oon hear of their again settling in the district.

Our Little Township. — Several changes are observable in The Pass. Mrs Jones has tak'sn up her duties as mistress of the school, with very encouraging results to the parent's of her rather small classes, the attendance being very limited. Fortunately, Mr D. Eoss, of Single Hill, has taken the County House and transferred his family thereto. Nevertheless, the rising generation would appear to be getting beautifully less fast. "'The child -lo youth; the youth so soon to manhoodl state — eager to run the parents' race." Mr John M'Millan has recently taken unto himself a lifelong partner. and entered into possession or the blacksmithing premises formerly hc«^l by his late good parent.

Welcome Home. — Mrs Keiffer's many fiienrls will be pleased to learn that she has sufficiently recovered to again return to her homo. Though *et far from convalescent, it is sincerely hoped that with rest and care a marked improvement will manifest itself. Mrs Keifler might almost be termed the mother of the district, so widespread and universal has her ever ready motherly help been felt. No night was ever too dark or day too stormy to deter her from promptly going forth to nurse the sick or comfort the distressed.

Dog Trials.— The local dog trials are being looked forward to with more than u«ual interest, quite a revival of local support being apparent. Several of the olden-tune acti\e ■pations are again to the fore to uphold the loaal balance against the promised distant competition by both Southland and Xoith Canterbury. I hear, too, that the club has again been fortunate enough to hare the same site nlaced at its disposal, and also in securing a d aft of Clayton wethers — sleep ihat have served their pvirpose admirably on several occasions. March 26.— The late Donald M'ilillan's some-

what sudden demise on Wediiesdjay evening cast quite a gloom thioughout the district. Deceased, if not the oldest, was undoubtedly the best known resident in the county. Arriving m tho colony about the middle of the sixties, he took to shepherding, being first emp'oyed by Mr William Sanders, then on the Mistake Station, and subsequently on The Wolds. M'Millan was early attracted to the sea, and seived his apprenticeship in the herring fishing industry, subsequently loiumg the Royal Navy. He fourd the lestramt of such a life uncMieonul to one of his free an:l independent, disposition. Donald, like many of the "good old pioneers," was a tiueboin Scot — a Rossshire'man by birth, and though migrating early vas well versed m Gaelic. After a number of years among sheep, he became rropnetoi of the Tekapo Hotel, where his congenial terapeiament soon won him marked popularity, especially With the travelling: public. Otu late Governor and Lady Onslow showed a marked appreciation cf Mr and Mrs M'Millan's hospitality. The latter only quite recently specially journeyed up to Buike's Pass in fulfilment of her promise to visit the worthy couple should she ever be in the colony again. Mr M'Millan never lost interest m pastoral pursuits. At the time of his death hs owned a small run. The deceased always gave liberal support, to all sports and pastimes and whatever might appertain to the advancement of the well-being of the neighbourhood and his fellow men. Little wonder, then, that the cortege following the remains to the grave was the largest which ever formed a mournful gathering in the local cemeteryIt was headed by a strong muster of Mason?, which brotherhood laid one of many tastpful memorial floTal wieaths on the coffin. Mis M-Millan, her four daughters and two sons have the heartfelt sympathy of a very large circle of friends. As a mark of respect for deceased, the local Collie Club postponed its annual trials from the 30th and 31st inst. to April IS and 14, and it was resolved that the club's usual ball and members' dinner be dispensed with