WAIKAKA.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 213, 10 November 1896, Page 4

WAIKAKA.

■;■-•'. The weather for the last few days has .-; been more like winter that spring. It -' - has been raining, with short intermissions, since Wednesday night last ; though not heavily. The groi-d, however, will get a thorough soaking, and all growth will be much retarded. No fresh developments have occurred in mining matters lat.ly, butafew months will see some changes in the mining life of the place. Mr Perry is making preparations for a start early next year. "We are now drawing, near to the end of the year^wheh t_e thoughts of all but the : 7 ' ultra eeohp_i_ioal,..a_djt_e "unco quid" „ - turajightly to;varipus "amusements, and " begin' to loot- forward with more or less eagerness to a brief period of relaxation from the cares and toil of • this world of work and woe. Every little centre, where two or three — and a public house -rare gathered together is beginning to make preparations for whatever . form of amusement with which it has heen customary to herald the advent of the new year, or commemorate the ; departure of the old. These annual festivities usually take the form of " sports," a term somewhat misleading to one not acquainted with- this foi_b of recreation. In upcountry places preparation for them is usually left to the last moment, and then, owing :to the lack of time and material for making proper arrangements, these are very often anything but well ordered. Make shifts that would put 'Robinson Crusoe to shame are resorted to, and at the last moment every man that can be got, willing or unwilling, fit or unfit, is pressed into the service of the acting committee, who very often only begin to mark offground, etc., when the first event is timed to come off. Then it is found that some essential requirements have been forgotten, and after hurried arrangements have been made with what material is at hand, the competitors are set to work under circumstances suggestive of anything but " sport," and so it goes on all , day. The absence of anything approaching system giving the ground the appearance of a place where a crowd of people had suddenly been dropped out of a balooti, and for a time were wandering about in a state of bewilderment. At last night puts a stop to the " sports " — never the end of the programme, for usually it contains all the events of the Greek ' Olympiads — and some the Greeks - never knew. Country sports are gradually changing in character, and year by year becoming more professional in tone. Tho pecuniary value of the prize seems to be the only thing regarded in the various competitions, while those compiling the programme seem disinclined to include any item that is conducive to pure recreation. "When sports are got up for mere amusement, the mercenary element should be excluded as much as possible, by making the programme of such a character as to furnish competition suitable for all, and of small money value. The first load of timber for Mr Perry's dredge was landed on Thursday, Mr D. Nicol being the successful tenderer for the carting. 1 understand Mr Marr, of this place, has been entrusted with the construction of the wood work. Has . the existence of the Waikaka district ever boen made known to the Minister of Justice ? Have the wants of the district ever been brought under his notice? Surely not; otherwise people would not bo subject to the inconvenience to which they have now to submit. To have his signature witnessed by a Justice . of the Peace, a man must take a journey of 15 to 20 miles ; very often when no other business calls him away, and yet the extent, population, and importance of the district should surely entitle it to a privilege and a convenience which seems to be thrust upon other places without the asking. The want of a Justice in the place is an inconvenience which makes itself felt on numerous occasions, and all have agreed as to the necessity existing for such a functionary. But why the want has never been supplied is difficult to understand. It can't be due to the . scarcity of men, eligible for appointment to the office, for every other man in the district is a born lawyer ; and srvely it can't be that all who are not rogues are fools. Or, can it be that the people of this district regard the office so degradethat to fill it would be anything but an honor.