CAVE (South Canterbury).

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 40

CAVE (South Canterbury).

December 5-—The weather during November has been very dry, but the good rains that we had in the winter and spring went well into the subsoil, and has kept the ground well supplied with moisture. During the last few weeks, however, the ground has been drying up fast, and a good day's rain would do a lot of good. Elections. —November has been one of the most exciting months we have had in South Canterbury this last 30 years. The warliamentary election was one of the most keenly contested ir> the Dominion. The Government candidates had not the large majorities at this election as has been the case in the past. At the Cave 20 years ago, on the first occasion on which there was a polling booth here, there were 10 votes, and they were a.ll cast for Sir W Steward. As an indication how the population has ifereased I will give a resume of the number polled this election in the Cave district: —Cave, 101; Cannington. 85; Cabbage Tree Point, 27; Ma-waro. 36 —or in all 249. In 1902, in the four South Canterbury electorates, the votes were: — Government, 9456; Oposition, >>i9L In 1908 the figures had changed to the following:—Government, 10,426; Opposition, 10,422. School.—The Cannington schoolhouse is finished at last. I had a look at it the other day, and I must say the contractor, Mr Cummings, has made a good job of the buildings. It is well ventilated, and provided with, ali the latest sanitary arrangements of, improved type. There was a meeting of householders held at the new school o:i November 30, some 13 being present. Mr Ensor was voted to the chair. I may here say that Mr Ensor has done all he could to get the school for the district, and he has seen his efforts crowned with success. The following were elected a School Committee: —Messrs R. Gainsford, J. Stumbles. G- H- B- Smith, W. Docherty, and A. M'Master. At the close of the meeting a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr Ensor for his services in the interests of the householders. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr M'Master was elected chairman and Mr Gainsford secretary. Postal Changes. —There has been a change in postal affairs at the Cave. After a visit from the Chief Postmaster at Timaru, the post office and telephone were shifted to Mr W. Johnstone's store.

County Elections. — The county elections went off very quietly in this part. Mr Jas. Smith -was elected for the Cave Riding of the M'Kenzie County, Mr James Smart for the Tengeia Riding of the Levels County, and Mr Herbert Elworthy for tho Upper Pareora Riding of the Wiimate County. The three members mentioned were unopposed. Shearing. — A good many of the sheds have cut out,, and their wool has been sent away to the seaboard. The wool-buyer 3 are going round buying all the lots they can pick up, but most of the farmers arc sending theii clips to the salerooms, which I think is the proper place to get the market value.