TAHATIKA.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIX, Issue 1583, 6 January 1903, Page 5

TAHATIKA.

(From Our Own Corresponded l .) At the time of writing the weather is rough and stormy with heavy showers. Xmas day was glorious—an ideal New Zealand Xmas—but alas, it did not last, and we are back to midwinter instead of revelling in midsummer. However we always pin our faith to the autumn, and may our expectations be realised. We had some heavy thunder on Sunday, and a shower of hailstones, or 1 should say ice, for the pieces did not resemble hailstones either in shape or size, being of various forms and very large. I hear the stones increased in size further down the valley, while at Purekireki there were none.

On the 23rd of December the ladies held their annual sale of work in connection with the guild. The sale opened with singing and prayer, and then business went ahead. I have not heard yet what amount was realised. The show of work was excellent in quantity and quality and says much for the hard work of the ladies. The articles were both useful and ornamental, everyone being able to bring something suited to their requirements. In the evening the Christmas tree gladdened the eyes of the youngsters. It looked very pretty and attractive and the thanks of the onlookers is due to those who arranged and decked the tree out so nicely. " The Bride" topped the tree and when number 178 (?) was called out, the excitement of the lucky holder was intense. Between six and seven pounds was taken as door money, so that financially it was a success. The first part of the evening's performance was a musical programme which was as follows 100 th Psalm and prayer by Mr Murray; organ solo, Miss C. Thomson ; selection, Miss H. Brad field; vocal duct, Mrs M'Dougall and Miss L. Guthrie; selection, Miss Robina Wilson; selection, Mrs M'Dougall; speech, Mr Murray; quartette, Misses Guthrie and Friend and Messrs Friend and J. Thomson; duet, Mr and Mrs Wm. Wilson; selection, Miss F. Friend ; selection, Mr G. M'Latchie; quartette, Mendames Wilson, M'Dougall and Messrs M'Latchie and Wilson ; selection, Mr Andrew Guthrie; selection, Mr W. Wilson. The accompaniments were very efficiently rendered by Mrs Wilson and Miss F. Friend. A tea followed and then came the giving out of the tree gifts. Mr Murray acted efficiently as Chairman, and votes of thanks were proposed by Messrs F. Bradfield, J. Thomson, J. Ford and Murray. The success attending the concern is greatly due to the united exertions of President and Secretary, and we all hope they will do as well next year. The annual picnic was held on the 2nd of JanuI ary.