NGAPARA NOTES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10593, 24 October 1910, Page 2

NGAPARA NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The continued high winds and absence of rain are leaving their mark on our district. everywhere. Both crop and pasture are showing its effects, and unless rain falls within the nest fortnight : things will bo just anyhow. evening set in with a good promise of rain, but unfortunately it passed off in a slight drizzle, and even that would be of considerable benefit if the wind would take a rest. I have recently heard enquiries made as to a stirplus which was left from the last rain-making experiments and whether it would bo possible to uso it now. I do not think thero are many who believe it possible to bring rain out of a dry atmosphere, but there seems to bo a generally accepted belief that it is possible by the use of explosives to cause rain-charged clouds to discharge their contents, and this condition of' atmosphere has occurred several times during the past fortnight. Sheepfarmers, apart from the question of feed, seem to be pretty well satisfied, the percentage, of lambs being in most cases excellent, and should the feed come away there will be big business for the fat lamb market.

In the way of amusements the skating fever has hold its own right to the end. and I hear that the proprietors have generously given the last night for the benefit of the library. This benefit takes place next Friday evening, when the proceedings will be in the form of a basket social. I don't know whether a sale of work by the P.W.M.TJ. comes under the head of entertainment, but on Thursday afternoon and evening the Union have a sale of work in the hall. The usual, accessories, in the form of music, refreshment stall, and dip, will accompany it. These notes would not be complete without reference to the visit of tho Weston Choir to Ngapara on last Thursday evening. The Choir members evidently believe in the saying that "Providence helps those who help themselves," and have set about the work of earning funds to assist to build a church at Weston. So on Thursday evening the choir, numbering over 20 members, under the able leadership of the Rev. Mr Roseveare, gavs the cantata, "David, the Shepherd Boy." A very good audience assembled to enjoy the music, and judging by the applause with "which the various soloists and the combined choruses were received, the .efforts of the choir were thoroughly appreciated. ■