MOSSBURN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2695, 8 November 1905, Page 35

MOSSBURN.

November 4. — The weather continues fine, although the nights are somewhat colder than is quite desirable for crops, grass, and vegeta^ taon of all kinds. The high winds of the last two weeks have Lielped to reduce the amount of snow on tho Dome and adjacent lnountaina.

Agricultural and Pastoral.— The fields are now putting on a summery appearance, and seme of the earlier-sown crops are looking well. Grass, too, cannot be said to be* behind', and with a few weeks' warm sunshine should become luxuriant. Some of our farmers still held a, qgaaitity of lac* year's oats, in stack, vaiting, no doubt, for better prices. The lambing season has been a good one, and, this being the rule and not the exception, complaints of shortage by mortality are never heard. Farmers are now becoming doubtful whether twins are so profitable as one is given to understand. Yet, F-oniehow, they are always welcomed.

Political. — The an. is full of politics and county matters-. For Parliament we have cur prurient membsf (Mr Thomson) and Mr D. M'PheTFon in the field. Mi- M'Pherson addressed/ the electors here on the 30th ult. The schoolhouse wa® crowded, numbers having to stand, aaid Mr Bawson was voted to the ebair. Mir M'Pherson said he was a Government candidate, a believer in and supporter of the present Government. To enumerate the many wise and beneficent lawis enacted by the present Government could not be expected of him> in the limited time at his disposal. That the prospemfy of the colony was ovang to the- many caus'ss promulgated by the Government licv/ in office only a few would fail to admit. He. quoted th<? Cheviot Estate, which at one time supported or employed only about 150 people, and now maintaining an increasing population of 1500. He also said he wag a believer in party government, as it hclds the balance between governor and governed, and thus public affaire are conducted honestly and without cc-rmption. Ha, however, thought that the welfare of tlu country should not. be made a subservient to party interests. In contesting the seat with Mr Thomson, Mr M'Pharson said he wished the contest to be conducted in. a fair, straights forward manner or not at all. Mr Graham proposed a vole of thanks, which was seconded by Mr Christie, and carried watli applause. Mr M'Pherson thanked the meeting, saying it was orderly and well conducted. A vote of thanks to Mr Dawson (chairman) concluded tho meeting. Mr Thomson is expected here on Thui'sday afternoon to open a. bazaar in a:d of the 'Building Fund of the Presbyterian Church about to be erected here. He is to be a.afced nuaiiy and various queebions, and among tht» many is one of the greatest importance to all settled here — if he can cbtain better train arrangements for the district, the present timetable being very unsatisfactory. A deputation was de'egated to wait on the Minister of Railways a short time ago, but I have not yet heaid with what result. The 'matter only requires proper representation to have the present method so improved' as to meet the growing demands) of the district.