GERALDINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2811, 26 September 1883, Page 3

GERALDINE.

(FSOSC Or/B OWK COBEB3PONDENT.) < Notwithstanding the hard times, Greral- t dine now shows some animation, and it mak- r ing preparation for its annual holiday — the ' Bace Meeting. Probably ibe return of fine ' weather and the hopes of better fortune next ' harvest, coupled with a disposition to view * things m a more philosophic light, have led c the good people to think of other topics than & the general depression. Be this as it mar, there is a little eicitement now with regard to the * coming races, which certainly promise to be i superior to any m former years. The e-itrie? * are very satisfactory, both as to number and 8 the class of borses. Tht>y include some of 1 the bett animals m the colony, and a glance c at the list will show that m every event the ' entries are not confined to one or two stables • If the very fine weather we have had for the j past week should continue, the Bacing Club will doubtless be credited with another most ' satisfactory meeting. As usual they are ' doing ranch to deserve success. This year ' sundry alterations to the course, and addi- | tions to the accommodation m the grand ' stand and stables have been undertaken by ' them. Ths arrangements for a special train ' from and to Timaru on both race days, and ■ also a concession m ths fares from Christ- ' church and Osmara should produce a good < attendance of visitors. The stakes m ' several of the races have been m- '■ creased, which will account for the satis- ' factory number and obaracter of the horses. ' lbs County Plate, the most popular race ' among the local sportsmen, from all appear- ' ances will be well contested, no fewer than ' nine youngsters being entered for it. In ' addition to the stake, the winner will get a < very handsome cup, presented by Mr L. ' Walker of Four Peaks Station. The honor 1 of catering for the wants of the public on the ' course has been equally divided among the 1 local hotel keepers, who bare each secured a < booth. I notice, too, that Mr S. Breadlay, 1 tbs new proprietor of the Orari Hotel, has I been making extensive improvements m ' preparation for what mast be to him the ' event of the year. ! Of much greater importance to the district generally than tba race meeting is the move- ' meet m favor of establishing local industries ' m our neighborhood. Full accounts of the teveral steps taken having already appeared m your columns, it is unnecessary for me to recount them here. Tha Dairy Faotory is an example of what one or two individuals who are thoroughly m earnest can accomplish. Ths agitation to set on foot some local industry commenced as far back as two or three years ago, when two or three gentlemen, two of whom very properly occupy seats on the directorate of the new Company, began to see the good that woold follow the introduction of some industry to enable ths farmers and others to make ths best of their raw product*, and at the iams time afford employment to many hands. Sines that time these gentlemen have privately, and, when occasion offered, publicly, never caused to advocate the project which at last ha* taken a practical shape. Their work is by no means ended yet, however, for m addition to the work of successfully starting the factory, prejudice against the nndertaking among those whoss plain duty is to support it has to be overcome. Some few too ore, I am told, directly opposed to the factory, though it seems almost incredible that anyone could be found to offer opposition to a scheme which is so well calculated to benefit the whols district. They are, of course, m a very small minority, and if no other consideration weighs with them, thrir well-known love for the " bawbees" should hinder them from killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. However, if the energy and foresight which has hitherto characterised the management of the Company's affairs continues lo be exercised there is not a doubt that the factory will be very successful. The Committee have scoured a site on Mr Allen's land, near Wooffenden's corner, and are making preparations for building. I h«ar our neighbors np north are greatly exercised about the minerals which ars said to exist mor near Alford Forest. It is a well known fact that minerals are to be found m several parts of our dutriot, notably coal, or lignite, at Kakahu, and I believe also m the Waihi Gorge. Would it not be feasible to thoroughly test these localities by boring ? If successful, the result would be a profitable thing for ths whole district. The woatber up to the last few weeks has not been favorable for agricultural operations, Of the crops I have teen, very few look well, and most of them are later than usual. Neither has tba lambing season so far been a good one 5 the heavy rains were very destructive. Fine sunny weather is now much wanted. I was pleased to notice that as a set-ofl •gainst his sin of living m ths country, th< Chairman of the Board of Education is abts to be of service to the Board. That his ad' vice m the recent dispute with the Architect was sound and good, was shown by tbe de cision of ths Resident Magistrate, who awards! the plaintiff the exact sum suggested by M Barclay, pltti a oharge for designs for sohoo furniture, of whioh claim Mr Barclay wa ignorant. The Solicitor of tha Board decidei on the smaller sum, which was paid int Court. Tha latest improvements m the building lin ia this township consist of a new auotio

room for Mr W. S. Maslin, a Good Templars' Hall, and several private dwellings. The auction roam ii builf. on the site of Mr Kirbj'aold smithy, which was removed bodily fo a section on the Kaiahu road. The (Jood Templar 9, now a numerous and flourishing body, aro building a hall for themßelves a little way above Mr Mnslin'a auction room j but it appears to bo too small, even for the present requirement!. The monthly fairs inaugurated by Messrs Mundell and Co. are quite established, and nre very fnirly patronised by buyers and sellers. The firm continue to mako improvements m the yards, 'which are now very convenient. Several business changes have taken place here lately. The late Mr Mendelson's business hns been purchased by Mr Pear* point, whoso many friends were glad to welcoma him back to Goraldinp. Meors Morrison and Dunlop dissolved partnership a little time ago, but are now m partnership ngain, Mr Morrison having charge of the Beehive Store and Mr Dunlop of that recently occupied by Mr Maslin. The Grown Hotel, too, has changed bands, Mr Bowden succeeding Mr D. Andrew! as proprietor.