SOUTH GLENKENICH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1142, 6 May 1885, Page 3

SOUTH GLENKENICH.

(From our oivn Gorresnondent.)

Harvest. — Harvesting is rather late in this district, and although a great part of the grain has been safely gathered in, still a considerable portion yet remains . unstacked. It is unfortunate for those who have crops still in the field, as most of it will be badly damaged with the late heavy rains. Threshing is progressing rapidly. The yield, although not so large as in some previous seasons, will be on the whole very satisfactory, and the grain is fully better ripened and filled this year than last. Rabbits — The rabbit pest has not been felt so severely here this year. Owing to the vigorous efforts of the rabbiters and the quantity of poison laid down in the early spring, the number of rabbits was greatly reduced. But they ate rapidly gaining ground again, and it requires the combined efforts of the farmers and runholders to keep them in chock. Our School. — The school was reopened, after sir weeks' holidays, on Monday, 13th April ; but owing to the harvest work, not being over the attendance is yet comparatively small. Our energetic School Committee des&rye^credit for their anxiety to improve the school grounds. A harvest I home was got up in order to raise funds for planting out foreign trees round the school grounds. The affair came off on Friday, 24th ult., but, unfortunately, was not a great success. Our district is afflicted — and has been, for some time past — by a religious mania, and those who are over-zealous in that matter, with a view, no doubt, of endeavoring to put down all the frivolties and vanities of the corrupt age, sternly set their faces against all such iniquitous proceedings. The consequence is that we are a divided community— split up into two factions who wage eternal warfare with each other. It seems a great pity that' those who profess to set ua an example should show such an uncharitable spirit over what benefits the whole community ; and lam afraid that until they cease to regard tbeir fellow-beings as being less holy than themselves the social state of affairs will not be much improved.

"Roads. — Now that the winter is approaching, the district roads are begin, ning to .resolve themselves more or less into the liquid state. A sum of money was expended last year on gravelling about two-thirds of the Waikoikoi Valley road, and we all fondly hoped to see it completed this year ; but, to our chagrin, we are informed that only twenty chains more are to be completed. It is a great inconvenience to this district, as the road in question is the chief outlet for the district, and in the winter becomes almost impassable. The Clutha Couuty Council offer as a reason for not completing the road the old story— "Want of funds." And yet they can afford to spend a considerable sum of money on roads which are to benefit but one or two settlers, although, pur road has been proclaimed a main road. Evidently there is a screw loose somewhere. Ist May, 1885.