The dwellers of this countryside where, you might say, the hills monopolize the Jand, are peace-loving, thrifty and frugal. The constant struggle for existence, however, leaves its impress on their life and features. They are truly hill people and raise their crops of corn far above the time scarred cliffs. In these highlands there is very little level ground for rice-growing so they make the most of the hills which are neatly banked up by retaining walls. It is very picturesque to seo the distant vistas dotted with a patchwork of verdure and the hills cultivated to the utmost height.
For at least eight months in the year these people live on a diet of Tndian corn. It is ground into flour and then made into cakes, 14- 18 inches in diameter. This cake serves og a plate for when dinner time comes round each member of the family is served with a hot cake on which is placed an assortment of cooked vegetables. It is a most convenient way of taking a meal for the cake is held in the flat of the hand, pieces being broken off at will, and the fingers of the right hand are used og a knife and fork to help themselves tu the savoury morsels.
The unsightly litter in some of these village homes is not at all in keeping with the beauty of the scenery around. Indeed, it is a miracle how half the people are able to livs and thrive in their straw shanties reeking with smoke which oozes out through the thatch. For the most part they are anemic and the toll from consumption is heavy. And yet on an occasion some of these poor people put on the armour of pride. Several times the offer of the relief ticket hag been politely refused. Not indeed because they did not need the extra help, but, as one old woman said to me,—''Oh, sir, I am poor, but I have got sons and I would never like it to be known that I had to receive charity."
We are now about to begin the spring.distribution and we are hoping that with this help tha people will be tided over until they reap the early summer crops of wheat and beans. There is a tremendous amount of reconstruction work to be done, but some corners of the district are past redemption. Through the overpowering force of circumstances and necessity many of the country people are moving out to seek fresh abodes and it is hoped that in this new start their lives will fall in pleasant places.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.