CLINTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 35

CLINTON.

May 10.— The continued bad weather is keeping buck the harvest, and stuff that was cut five and six weeks ago is still standing in the stook. Very little crop has been led-m for a month, although farmers and their teams have been standing ready to begin should 1 the stuff get dry. It is said that where the stoots are standing well up, and have not been turned or shifted in any way, the crop is not much destroyed. Anything lying down or standing amongst long grass, howevei, is almost useless. It is to be hoped a week or tv:o of fine drying weather will come our way, iind enable farmers to get the result of their year's work saved.

Dairy Factory. — We have had considerable agitation here of late regarding the erection of a -dairy factory. Mr Becon, of Gore, has offered to erect a cheese factory for the district on getting a guarantee of 250 cows. Farmers are agreed that such a concern pays well, and that it would be a good thing for the district, but when canvassed for cows are afraid the work of milking would be rather great a change for them and their families, and will only put down their names for a very few cows or none at all. So far 220 cows have been secured, and as only 30 more are required it is to be hoped some others will take on the work of milking, and get the concern started. The principal dairymen of the district, along with Mi Becon, are convinced that once the factory starts many others will come in. but the cost of erection (some £700) justifies the guarantee of this number of cows before a start- could be made. A committee has been formed, and a further canvass of the district is to be made.

Medical.— I hear that Dr Ryan, a young man recently out from England, intends settling in our midst. He was here the other day having a look round, and thinks a good practice could be worked up. For many years we have been well supplied by the visiting doctors coming from Balclutha and Gore by the trains ; but people take ill so suddenly and so often in the night-time that all would be pieased to have a doctor resident amongs* them. I am sure *hat Dr Ryan will get all the practice here, except, perhaps, a few eld people whose peculiarities and ailments are known to the visiting doctors.

Clearing Sale. — Mr David Wallace, who som« time ago sold his farm, held a clearing sale of 'all his stock, etc., last week. Things went well, especially the horses. Mr Wallace intends for a month or twq^having a look round Nelson, and then, it is said, intends starting business in our town.