NOTES FROM ST. BATHANS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 209, 28 February 1873, Page 6

NOTES FROM ST. BATHANS.

February 24th., This has been without exception thedriest season ever experienced in the district, and the water in the various races is entirely done : consequently, sluicing operations are suspended, and a great number of hands are out of employment. The new crop in the neighborhood has been harvested, and the yield is considerably less than half the usual average; in. a few instances, the owners of paddocks have turned their horses in to eat off the crop, as it would not pay to cut. Potatoes, except in a few favored localities, are also a complete failure. A company has been formed here, for the purpose of supplying a much felt want, viz., the introduction of water into the township for domestic use. The capital is £250, in 50 shares of £5 each. Judging from the success that has attended the JNaseby Water Works Company, this scheme should yield a handsome return. JSTo reply has as yet been received from the.Government as to the survey of the township. The Progress Committee do not, however, intend to allow the matter to rest here. The Superintendent and Mr~ Bastings gave a distinct promise that the survey should be made as soon as the surveyor could find time from more pressing duties. It is to be hoped that thismay be the case, as business licenses are falling due, and the sale of businesssites is the only way of getting rid of theobnoxious tax. An application to have a few seats provided for the use of the public, at theCourt house, has been made to the Warden by the Progress Committeee. This. is a much felt want, as persons attending on business, have often to stand for hours at a stretch. An impromptu meeting of the friends of Mr. James Stewart, Agent for the Bank of New South Wales, was: held on the 20th inst., when it was agreed to present that gentleman with a handsome gold watch, as a mark of their esteem. The sum of £25 was subscribed, and the amount forwarded to the Bank in Dunedin, to be invested in the purchase of a watch, with a suitable inscription. Mr. Stewart left here for the old country on the 21st, and was accompanied as far as. Hills Creek by a large number- of his,, friends,