TABLE HILL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 39

TABLE HILL.

September 3.—We have had some unpleasant weather lately, showers of rain and sleet, with keen cold winds. The other night about 3in of snow fell, but it had all disappeared by the following evening. It was followed by a sharp frost. Very little grain has been sown yet. A few days' wind soon dries the ground and the roads, but just as the roads get dry and ■easy to travel on rain comes on again. The weather glass does -not fall very low here ior bad weather. I brought mine down from Wanaka, for which place it was set, -and find it does not vary from others kept t>y neighbours. The altitude of the highest part of Table Hill is said to be 800 ft, while Clyde is 525 ft. According to the railway guide that of Lawrence is 60ft. A Departure.—Mr Joseph Perks is to leave Table Hill shortly for Canterbury. ■He came to the district about two years ago, his health having caused him to give up business as a sanitary plumber. His 'health has been improved. He held a -clearing sale a few days ago, when average were realised. A fine line of crossbred ewes brought a good figure. The 'settlers decided they could not allow Mr {Perks and family to leave without some jtangible token to mark the esteem in which '±hey are held. A basket social was accordingly arranged, and although no formal invitations were sent out there was a fine jmuster. Songs, readings, and parlour games constituted the programme. During an "interval Mr Charles Forsyth, as the oldest President in the district, presented Mr (Perks with a silver-mounted umbrella and Mrs Perks with a handbag. In doing so he 'referred to the loss to the district by the VJeparture of Mr Perks and family, whose jßooial and neighbourly qualities had gained jfof them many friends. He hoped the jmall presents would serve to remind them |f *bg ftoocfoill oJE the people of Table

Hill. Mr Perks suitably replied, thanking those present for their many kindnesses. Mrs Perks also replied, expressing regret at having to leave the district. "Auld lang syne" was sung and cheers given for the family, and also for Mr John A. Perks. I cannot 'Close this paragraph without referring to the splendid way in which the girls of the family adapted themselves to the change from town to country life, and their praiseworthy industry. Town girls generally find it a hardship to have breakfast over before daylight, but such was not the case here. Town vj. Country. —l have met many townspJbple who have assured me they would much rather live in the country on a farm than in town. In the country the wife has always the husband at home in the evening, while in the town he is rarely at home. Then rent day comes round with unfailing regularity, and the amount taken from a limited wage makes a substantial gap (why will young men not save up when single in order to have a home for themselves?). In the country 30 or 40 articles for the table are. produced at prime cost, and some without any cash outlay, whereas in town even a bunch of carrots costs a good deal. _ Cost of Living.—Mr W. Henry, of Westport, writes to the Witness saying the bill of fare for one week for a man and his wife and three children as provided by the York Health and Housing Reform Association for a cost of 12s 9d is sfairvation. I fancy it is plenty in the hands of a careful manager. An acquaintance of mine tells me that his household costs 14s a week, and there are four or five children. ' The Review of Reviews once had a detailed article written by a lady typewriter showing how she lived on a varied vegetarian and fruit diet at a cost of 2s 6d a week, and she cooked it on a kerosene stove. I knew an old, fellow who fed and clothed himself on 4s a week His well-kept, well-manured garden and rabbits were his staple diet, varied by an odd eel in the summer time, and two or three quarters of mutton during the holidays. The fuel was to be had for the gathering. I read a pamphlet recently showing how a man lived on Is a week H°s diet was boiled wheaten meal varied fometimes by boiled apples and fried Potatoes. An eminent Government official lives solely on wheaten meal porridge for health reasons.