CLINTON NOTES

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1037, 24 May 1902, Page 2

CLINTON NOTES

(From Our Own Correspondent),

The weather lately has been extremely boisterious but quite in keeping with the recent record fall of the barometer. It was thought that Wednesday last was to be the beginning of another spell of good weather, but the knowing ones predicted a second storm, and sad to say this turned out correct. This morning snow covered the ground, but as the sun came out at intervals this soon thawed, and conditions underfoot are too bad to mention. When the storm was at its height we had quite a milk famine in our town. The Kuriwao river, at other times a peaceable stream a few yards wide, having assumed alarming dimensions, the local milkman waß unable to gain the town, and many suffered great inconvenience. However, after two days the river became normal, and now things are as before. The weather has also been against church and school attendance. Very few have attended school all the week, while the services on Sunday were attended only by a few worshippers who live close at hand. The annual soiree in connection with the Presbyterian church was timed to take place on Tuesday evening last. Many thought that owing to the boisterous nature of the weather the function would be cried off, but the committee of management after due deliberation decided otherwise, and determined to go on with the affair despite the weather. About 100 attended, but a large number of tickets bad been sold, so that financially the gathering maybe a success. After refreshments had been handed round, the Rev. Mr ltamsay (late of Knapdalej was called on for an address. He took for his text " Some Defeats in Iteligion," and handled his subject in a masterly style. The Kev. Mr Kilpatrick and Mr T. Taylor were the other speakers. The latter presented our minister, the Rev. Mr Blair, with a purse of sovereigns as a gift from the congregation to help to pay the expenses of his recent holiday in Victoria. A strong choir, under the leadership of Mr Mackie, rendered several pieces in real good style, while Mrs Garden and Miss King gave solos.

Trooper Thomas Murray, of the Sixth Contingent, returned home from the war on Monday evening last, when a large crowd gathered on the platform and gave him a real hearty welcome home. Tom is thinner than when he went away, but says, with the exception of one week in the hospital, he has enjoyed good health. Campaigning and discipline seem to have had a good effect upon him. I congratulate him on this, and wish him success for the future. The Education Board's painters are about just now. Having completed the Wairuna and Kuriwao schools in the immediate vicinity, they have commenced on the local school, but the weather has been against them, and progress has been slow.