DEEP STREAM

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 36

DEEP STREAM

April 21.— The weather is very indifferent »t' present — one day fine the next day bad. The crops are all cut, and fine weather is feidly needed to dry the grain ready foT the Btack. The small birds have done a- great > dAI of damage. In. some cases fully 50 {pe?_ cent". .of the oats have been threshed out by this pest. ,- ' County Matters. — I notice the sub-inspec-}tdr and his men have arrived to form, a xoad into" the small run 3 that have -been . 'surveyed and occupied for some years. The have been placed in a- very awkward *" .position to get in and out by dray traffic, ' «.nd- it now appears that a long-felt want ■will soon be filled.

County Finance. — It appears beyond any doubt- that' the county is in a stronger financial position than before, and the present council deserves credit for keeping the position steacliiy in view, X#et us Hope i£ will tontinue in the course it has been pursuing. The writer has kept an eye on the members of previous councils for many -'• fears past, and well remembers the state »f the roads in the past. It seemed imposlible for the previous councils to make such lubstantial roads as we have at present without going into debt, or fixing unbearable iaxation on the settlers of the Taieri, and I tope ratepayejs will baar this in mind. I iake this opportunity of congratulating the ;ouncil on its veidict at the last meeting in ■ upholding one of the most honest And straightforward public servants it has ever had — namely,, Mr B. Couston. Prohibition Orders. — The practice of publicans disregarding prohibition orders made in the Taieri district calls foe comment. It seems strange that licensees, though fully aware of the danger that surrounds them with . regard to their licenses, should be s<s iudiffe- '' lent to the order of the court. Perhaps it is because they think no eyes are on them, fcut the drink exposes itself. It is very hard ■ jtf ire have to expect members of the police

Jforcet to "closely watch such a wide district. tEowever, as the licensing day is close at ■' tand, let us Tiope ' the police will make 'Borne inquiry "concerning this deplorable -,»tate N c-f affairs,, and bring the offenders to bo.ok.-