West Melton.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4791, 7 September 1883, Page 4

West Melton.

[JBO- OUB OWN COBBBBJONDBNT.J Seed time and harvest are tho two principal seasons — sowing, hoping to reap, and reaping, looking forward to sewing ; and so the years roll round one after the other, and time melts away. And now, on looking baok over the past year, what promised bo well to all, while, in reality, but comparatively few suooeeded in saving what Providence gave, it may, in a great measure be attributed to mismanagement — some putting in what they oould not afford to take out (afford in the penny wise and pound foolish style), others, through carelessness in various ways, losing what might have been a little fortune. However, what is done oan't be undone, and let ub hope that if we aro not rioher, we are wiser. Tho cropping round about this distriot is well advanood, the quantity of land under crop being about the same as last year. Two or three weeks ago we had some nasty nor'west weathor, but it broke off with rain before the coil suffered by drought, and last week we had beautiful weather. Now, again, it is raining, and having had four days of it we might say, " Hold, enough," at least for a week or so. < To cause exoitement or general interest in tbe Oity something very startling must take place, and, what would oreate the same'feeling in tbe oountry, would, to you oity folk, seem small ; but please remember how few things there are to talk about, and how dull a oountry life must seem. We have our little excitements and sensations as well as you, and of those I mean to tall. First, and most depressing, the Bey vV. Collins, Episcopalian minister, is about to leave us, after being pastor for some years, and I might say that all the people in this portion of his parish are grieved at his departure. Hs is highly esteemed both as a minister of the Gospel and as a man, for be has stretched forth his band when needed to the stranger as woll aa to the brother ; therefore, whorever he goes may he prosper, and no doubt he will. Tho West Molton Sohool Committeo having promised prizes to all the ohildren who pass the various standards at the coming examinations, aad it being thought by some and hoped by all that the number would far exoeod all previous examinations — the Committee having scoured the services of a man who seems to aot with greater energy than any of his predecessors — and not having funds, resolved to hold an entertainment for that par pose. It was a great success, and the thanks of the Committee are due to the many volunteers who oame acd assisted on the occasion. Then we had a ploughing matoh, the suooess of which has caused some jealousy in other portions of the district, some, indeed, contending that West Melton was not the plaoe to hold tho match, and that it ought to be under the supervision of tho Farmers' Olub. The success that has attended the last two meetings proves distinctly that West Melton is the !>laoe— -Farmers' Olub or not. The sum coleotad for the matoh was over £70 ; and after paying all expenses, the Oommittee of Management hove a considerable sum in hand for noxt year. Professor Lio Medo hos been here, and there has been quite a rush to have our bumps examined. Hia leoture was well attended, and during tho remainder of the week his place of residenoe was besieged with anxious enquirers, some with 2s 6a, others with ss, and actually a good few with 12s 6d in their pockets, all eager to learn if they were the genuine article or not. I don't know, but it aeems to me they were defioient in the bump of keeping money when they have got it. Ho is gone now, and you would be surprised to see how muoh wiser his patrons have grown.