TUAPEKA NOTES.

Evening Star, Issue 13001, 21 December 1906, Page 3

TUAPEKA NOTES.

[Special to the Stae.]

LAWRENCE, December 20. The Tuapeka Agricultural Society's tenth annual ebow was held on the local recreation reserve Testeiday, but unfortunately the heavy ram which act in about eleven, o'clock, continuing all the afternoon, sadly affected not only the Managing Committee's arraugemente, but prevented the public from :tttending in any force. Exhibitors took their stock away very early in the afternoon, not caring to run any risks, and towards three o'clock, with the exception of a. few sheep and horses, there was nothing to be seen indicating' that the society's show was in progress. If the weather had proved favorable the officials were building upon a record attendance of the public; but as things turned out the show is certain to end in a very considerablo loss to the society. The entries in most of the classes for stock fell below last year's aggregate; but, generally speaking, the quality of the exhibits was ahead of last year's. In catHe Mr John Fleming (Milton) was the chief prize-taker in shorthorns; ■Messrs H. Craig, James Robertson, and RF. Thompson in Ayrshires; and Mr James Robertson practically swept, the board in cross-breds, tiere being very good competition in this section. The entries were fairly good in the various classes for draught hordes, but in the thoroughbred classes the numbers were disappointing. In the various classes for sheep tho entries were well up to the mark, and the competition, for honors was exceptionally keen. The chief prize-takers in the Jlonmey Marsh section were Messrs H. Cameron fTnapeka West), J. Tough (MiHon), and Win. Gray (MUbirrn). In the Border Leicester classes Mr Wm. Gray 6cooped the pool, and in Downs Sir Jsmes Gray's name was tie most prominent- In the cross-bred classes five first and three second prizes were soared by Mr John Toagb, Mr H. Cameron being runner-up with two first and three second wins. 11l the classes for collie dogs the chief prize-takers were Messrs Batph, Oaraon, and Treaty. Tho hack-jumping competitions, pony trots, etc., were aHowed to lapse on. account of the heavy rainfall. An inquest was held at Blue Spur this morning before Mr Thos. Pilling. J.P., acting coroner, and a jury, touching the dtath of Alex. Mackenzie, who has carried on the business of storekeeper at Blue Spur for several years. It transpired that deceased had been, in ill-health for some weeks, suffering from chest affection. He got up about five o'clock yesterday morning to attend his horses, and some time afterwards was found drowned in the water trough cloEe to h-s stable at the rear of the store. It was assumed thai in passing the trough deceased must have been seised with a fit. and that he fell into the trough and was suffocated. A verdict was returned to that effect. Deceased, ■ who was sixty-fire years of age, leaves a widow and a grown-up son and daughter. He was a* vary st&ady, goodliving man, and was held in high esteem by the residents of tho district. I hear that several thousand acres of Teviot Station, best known as Cargill ami Anderson's, have changed ownership. The buyer i? a Mr Pcnruth, cf Asliburton. The price lias not been made public, hut it. is understood that it runs into a goodly sum. Sir Macfarlane still retains the homestead block and a large portion of tbe country in the immediate vicinity. The lands cf Teviot Station are in splendid heart, and altogether tho property is a most ilcurablo one. Mr Macfarlane, since assuming tire management, has done much to improve the station—tbo land as well as the flocks. The annual distribution of prizes at the break-up of the Lawrence District High School took place this afternoon in the presence of a number of parents and visitors. The duces of the school are Arthur W. TyndaJl and Margarei Gray, who were the recipients of very nandsorne gold med;iLs. The duces of the Sixth Standard were Adam M'Neilly and Ruth Potts, who received silver inedate. The sr.liool take 3up again on Monday, 4th February, 1907. An entertainment on behalf of tho Tr.apeka Brass Band, the object being to provide funds to meet the expenses of the Kshibitton contest, whs held in Uw Town Hall last evening, and drew a fairly large audience. Tbo wet. afternoon and evening affected the attendance. A capital programme, consisting of vocal and instrumental selections, was provided. The band's rendering of the contest selection, " I Lombardi,' was one of the features of the programme. Tho half-yearly change of chairs in connection with tho Oddfellows' Lodge, M.U-, took place on Tuesday evening, resulting as follows;—G-M., Bro. T. PiXling; N.G., Bro. J W. RosseU; V.G., Bro. John Paolin; EJS., Bro. Jas. Haig. Bros. T. Arthur, E. D. Maeon. and YF. Heenan were appointed auditors for tho current term.

Fanners and minors alike rejoiced greatly lit. yesterday's rainfall, which caws along at a very opportune time. The grass and crop* badly needed the rain, and the sraioing claims were almost at a standstill- owing to the scarcity of -water. Wool-growers are very pleased -with tbehprospects. The prices ruling for goodquality wool are lOd, 10|d, and lid. One local grower got lid on the farm for his consignment, and the smile on his broad face in is worth going; some distance to see.