WAIMATE.

(from our own correspondent.) , There has been very little m the way of news to record for some time. The crops and grass were wonderfully improved by the late ruin, and ihe weather during the last week being warm the country is looking well m every direolion, indicating a good year for farmers and stockowners. Ail hough the spring was rather cold fruit and garden vegetables are early. There is, generally speaking, a gsod demand for laborers and tradesmen, very few having been out of work for a good while past. Ihe first Show of the Waimate Agricultural Association was as successful as conld be reasonably expected, and attracted a number of persons. Tbe oxbibilion of horned cattle was very poor, and rives great room for improvement for future Shows ; but the time for preparing for the Show of ttrs year was very short, and it is expected that next year the number and qtnlity of exhibits of this kind will be greatly m advance. The Association on winding np its account! for the season found a conriderable drflcit balance appearing against them. As tbe Agricultural Association's work recedes from view, the Horticultural Society glooms fair and hopeful, annonncing their annual show for December 26th. A few val cable speoial prises are offered, wbioh should be the means of stirring op the gardener* to energetio

b action m preparing and bringing forward exhibits. This Society has done good work , during the few years it has been m existence, not only with peoplo who compete for pn'z's, but generally m tho town and neigh.---lorho-d a marked improvement m I lie gardens may bo seen during the la-t few years. Tho Society is also to be commended for its raroful financial management, each year's accounts closing with o gcoi credit balance, which goes far to make things easy for the ensuing jear. The Caledonian Scciety and the Bace Club are also making ttrenuons efforts to prepare and carry out attractive programmes of ammoments m their respective lines for Ilia coming Christmas holiday?, and on the whole, ILe peoplo of this town nod district are looking forward hopofully for a pleasant and prosperoui Cbris'.mas. The people have been well employed during the latt six months. Their w-ig.-s have not been squandered on drink ia anything like tho extent of former 3 cira, and it is rtcsonable to expect the means of rational relaxation and enjoyment will bo within the gra»p of neatly every family m the dUtrict. The works of Ihe Gorge Hailway are progressing well and would be nearly completed by contract lime (about the Ist of December) were' it not Iliat several extra works outride the orginal contract had to bs exe-utcd. To a non-professional view the work dano by Mr Black (construction and bridges), by Mr Hubbard and others (fencing) and by MrO'Malley (Malting and plate laying) ii well and thoroughly executed. Although nothing has dropped from the Directors as Jo the opening of tho line when competed, it is generally beliovcd that tho opening day will bo observed as a holiday m the town, and that the event will be otherwise celebrated m a manner worthy of the event, of the Directors and of the peoplo of Wiiimate. -Arrangements are being made for a race meeting at Makikihi en tho 10th of December, at wbich the sporting celebrities of tho Oouuty will appear m good force. The Harmonic Society, defeated m tbeir purpose of appearing before a fuir Bcction of the public on two former occasions, are clearing their voices for anntber effort to bring their proficiency m vocal mueio before an audicn.-o. Th's lime it is to be hoped their appeal will be more successful than previous ones. The anniversary of Knox Church will be celebrated on tho 28th mat., by a soiree, whioh, judging from former results promises to be highly successful as a means of bringing a larce number of people together m a social and pleasant way, m sympathy with end practical help to a good object. The Foreign Mission meeting of the Weeleyan Church at Waimate will bo held during the week on a day not yet announced. Mr S. W. Goldsmith is cur Mayor elect, there being no other candidate for tbe cilice. He was also unopposed m hia candidature for a teat on the Timaru High School Board, and was consequently declared elected for that position.