WAIKAIA.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 11, Issue 821, 2 November 1888, Page 6

WAIKAIA.

(From our own Correspondent*) On Friday evening last a grand skating tournament came off in SproatV Caledonian Hall to wind up the rinking season. The Waikaia brass band, in recognition of Mr Sproat's kindness on the occasion of their benefit some weeks since, gave their welcome assistance and contributed greatly fco the enjqyment of the evening. There were three events to be decided, the first being a boys' race for a money prize. This was well contested in heats, the final heat being won by W. Williams, J. Tretheway second. Next on the programme was the champion race for a silver albert, value 15s presented by Mr Lawrence, with money added, and a second prize of ss. The winner of this was Ncrman Mdlvor, second flonry Hardman. Then followed the married men's race, for which four entered. Thia was won by R, Lacey. The hall was then cleared for dancing to the excellent music provided by Mr Luke Collins which gave the utmost satisfaction to all present. The work at the shaft on Mystery Flat is at a standstill for the present, owing to the pump in use not being competent to overtake the water. Mr Jones is now in town procuring a pump of much greater power, which he hopes to have at work early next week. The shaft is now down about 17 feet, and with the water mastered, the washdirfc ehould be jeaohes with another day's work, A claim was opened a few weeks since in the hospital paddock. Plenty of hard work was done with but poor results, although rumor with her thousand tongues reported t;he yieJ4 of gold as fabulous. Parties interested in the management of the hospital premises, the cost of the erection of which came out of. the pockets of the public, interviewed Mr JJeyeJl last Court day, with the result that an injunction was laid on the claim. Matters now beings judice a cessation of work k the pon* sequence, causing much inconvenience and disappointment to those interested. Mr Northcot informs me that last wgejs his son, while eel-fishing in the lagoon. neap his house, caught an eel weighing 151bsj on hejng opened it was found to contain a trout l\ inches in length and 6 inches in girth. The eel proved a monster measuring 4ft (§in in length. Winter seems loth to leave us and the lambs are suffering severely, especially the merinos. The continual wet weather is a great hindrance to those farmers who are late with fche>r oats, The heavy freshes in the creeks and rivers have left dangerous places behind them. Mr M Moffitt got a capsize near the mill on Monday, but luckily escaped with only a wetting. Mr Wallis also oame to grief near Growler's flat in an old tail race last week, but as he is accustomed to spills very little notioe was taken of the matter. Waikaia, 31st October, 1888.