Dipton.

Southland Times, Issue 4630, 14 May 1883, Page 2

Dipton.

— ♦ (from a correspondent). Threshing operations are completed in the district. The weather has not been of the best, and, in consequence, some of the farmers were put to additional expense and inconvenience. In more than one case nine or ten days were spent in getting through two days' work. The railway goods shed daily presents a scene of bustle and activity, a large quantity of grain having bean received for transmission by rail. I believe the quality is good, while the yield varies from twelve bushels per acre of wheat to sixty, and from twenty to one hundred and ten of oats. Lucky tellows, I should say, that own land capable of growing sixty bushels of wheat and one hundred and ten of oats to the acre. What must be the feeliqgs of the twelve an 4 twenty-bushel men towards them.? Lstrg* numbers of sheep are passing down the railway almost daily, en route Jjoj 1

the Southland Freezing Coaipany's slaughter yards ;at WaUuwi* That, together with grain business, accounts, I suppose, for the extreme irregulanty of the trains. Both the up and down t- dins have been behind time to the : extent <•( Ktivp hours and more for a week or t i -> v-past.:;-';.' ••-.. ■■■■■ .-'"•..- , ;' -.' ■•■"■. ■"• .-. "'■■•• 1 •• -.. 'I have always considered it very ungenerous of travellers to be constantly railing at the railway officials and all concerned ' for this state of things, well knowing, as they must, that the poor fellowsjare nearly harassed to death. My feelings are those , ■ of gratitude at getting safely to the end of '.;my journey, although two horns and a half ,;■ behind. ;.-. ■■'* In connection with church matters, the • : Eev. Mr Ferguson has been announced to •preach here at least three different times to my knowledge. Whether there be such a person I know notj but certain I am that ; he bis not yet put in an appearance in fulfilment of his promise. ..'Upon the last announcement we were raised to the tiptoe of expectation by being informed that the said rev. gentleman was an excellent preacher, and took a great interest in the spiritual prosperity of Taringutura. I fear the effect of the next announcement will ; b« the same as that of the cry of " the wolf ! the wolf ! ! "in the old story. ;•■ As an evidence oi the extreme tightness of the local money market, I may state that in response to the call for subscriptions by the children of Fortrose school to assist them in embellishing the graves of the victims of the Tararua disaster in the cemetery at Fortrose, and the Tararua acre, not a farthing was. received, although the list was in hand for two months, during a part of which time it was posted in a conspicuous place. However, one sympathising and generous friend came forward with five shillings, which was duly forwarded to its destination, and our reputation saved. No inquiry has yet been made into the cause of the late fire. A good many unsophisticated people would like to know k how it happened, but they may stifle their I curiosity, for that is likely to remain among the things not generally known. May Bth, 1883.