CHERTSEY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1889, 10 July 1888, Page 2

CHERTSEY.

The weather here for the past month or two haa been very favorable for all kinds of farming operations* Although we have experienced some pretty hard frosts during the evenings, it has not In the sllghteit degree retarded the progress of oultlvation ; but pastures have suffered to some ponderable extent, especially the. young grass. Most of of the farmers here have their ploughs busy at work In order to prepare the soil for the wheat, crop ; and although rather discouraged at present b,y the low price obtainable for thiq cereal, yet, doubtless, a large area will be seeded down m this district, and I only hope that the crop will realise satisfactory results In every reapeot. The weather haa changed again; this afternoon (Jaly9)ltoomtnenoed to rain about 4 o'olook and has continued ever since, and there are no signs of Its abating up to the time of my writing. It la a very pleaaing feature to view the progress the perpetual lease selectors seem, to be making m this neighborhood, In spi^a of the evil prognosticating of croakers when the schema was first promulgated, it seems sufficiently evident, judging from this locality at least, that if

the system haa not provided each selector

1 with a bed of roses, atlll it has improved the condition of very many who otherwise would have had bat a hard straggle to get along In church affairs here at present we are pretty ranch m a position of a flock with out a Bhephetd. The Key R. Stewart who ministered to the Presbyterian oongregatlon here up to a very reoent period, accepted an Invitation to undertake the charge of the Woodviile district; m the North Island, and left — with the best wishes of who Ijnew hltn-srfor his new location' sometimee time ago. " Since then a call to the Rev Mr Riddle, of the Auckland district has been largely and inflaentially signed In (he district, andjic la more than probable, that ere my next letter reaches you we Bhall have the reverend gentleman aetiled m oar midst. Report speaks highly of hia oapabilltiea aß a preaoher of the gospel and his eatimable sooial qualities aß a gentleman.

We pass a rather dull and monotonoua sort of life here daring the winter months! but we are roused op from this torpid state now and then by the usual soirees, dances, etc., usually got up with some benevolent nbj»ot m vlew r I understand that the Pendarves folk intend on Friday to hold "a grand conoert and ball " In aid c£ the : i school faud, Now that retrenchment has made the payments of Incidental fund to Sohool Commltteas smaller than formerly, it is to be hoped that as many as can afford the time and money will patronise, tnia very laudable ent&ttaiDment. The Pondarveo hdlea are ve)l?known for their excellent table preparations for Buch occasions, and. pa'rons may dppend upon being wejl treated. Good talent, musical, and otherwise, has I understand been beoured for the oonoert, Dr Anderson, one of the North Canterbury Education Board* lnspeotcra, paid his usual surprise visit to our Dlstriot school about three vreelns ago. Our Public Library m spite of hard times Is a till progressing £1§ worth of books bound m half oelf, are on' the way to ua from London, We ar.e all nonpluaßed to know where the money gomes from to effect such purposes, as the subscriptions of members drop m like angela visits, few and far batweoo.