WINTON.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 12, 23 June 1894, Page 9

WINTON.

(From our own correspondent.) The funeral of the late Mr John Thomson, which took place last Saturday, was very largely attended. There were fully 35 vehicles and close on 100 riders. The old gentleman, who was in his eighty-first year, started business at Winton in February, 1864, supplying the waggoners with oats and chaff, &c., and since then he had filled faithfully and impartially many important public positions. It was quite a treat to have a chat with him concerning days gone by. He reared a large family, who are to-day a credit to the Plains for their frugality, industry, and sobriety, and no doubt form a noble example to others. Mr P. Deegan, of Limehills, gets the credit, and justly so, of beingfamous for growing potatoes and turnips. Of the former he raises a few new , kinds every year from the apple, having plenty of leisure. He showed me a sample the other

day which ' he - styled “ New Tipperary.” As ;'an , eating, potato, they are difficult to beat, a good keeper, and for a cropper they put the “ Bruce ”in the shade. Another thing in their favour, should you get short of sacks, is that they can be tied with a rope and taken to market, their average length being from nine to twelve inches. At the late show Mr Deegan had a bag of turnips (seven) weighing 1361b5. These wei’e, he tells me, the smallest he could get in a 30-acre paddock. Hence he got no prize. In speaking about Jhe late grain show, the members of the A. &P. Association desire me to publicly accord their very sincere thanks to all those who so generously assisted to bring about the success the show proved to be. The following names have not yet appeared through the medium of your paper, viz. : —The Hokonui Coal Company, five tons coal (realising £3), and J. Hill, £1 Is. [Other contributors’ names appear on page ll.] Mr S. H. Woods, our local tailor, has removed his business-to the south end of the courthouse, where he hopes his numerous customers will not fail to find him. A competent tradesman will always be found out, so Mr Woods need not fear

I notice Mr Stobo is making himself personally acquainted with milk suppliers to the proposed dairy factory, which is to be erected here soon. The,number of cows promised so far is close on 290. This number is expected to be doubled in about twelve months.

I notice fancy butter is getting- to be a fascinating domestic element among women lately. A few days ago I had the pleasure of seeing a stand of this butter prior to being delivered {to a special friend. ■ The credit of the handicraft is solely due to Mrs E. Andrews, of Roseland, near Winton. As a butter-maker, this lady has at different times secured the palm. The taste and skill of the design under notice are unquestionable. There were facsimiles of twelve Marechal Neil roses in differen stages of perfection, interspersed with coral shapes and other objects, the whole tending to please the eye of the most fastidious.

The widow is less selfish than the maiden, for while the latter is always looking out for No. 1, the former is satisfied in watching for No. 2 Something- New at Last. -j are advised of the early appearance in Invercargill of the IST. Z. Line A.rb Co. with a collection of oil paintings of West Coast and Lake scenery. This company has been formed for the twofold purpose of encouraging genuine art production and of introducing pictures suitable for the decoration of any mansion at a price which will be within the reach of every person of taste. This is merely a preliminary announcement, and a complete definition of the company’s business, with a catalogue of subjects, will be issued at an early date.—N.Z. Tine Art Co. —Anyx. je23