CENTRAL OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20379, 10 April 1928, Page 13

CENTRAL OTAGO.

OPHIR NOTES. (From Oua Own Correspondent.) OPHIR, April 7. THE WEATHER. The first six days of this month have been marked by an unsteady barometer, and very variable temperature. On the 3rd the maximum shade temperature was 7.2dcg, the highest since March 19 (75.8 deg), and on botli the 2nd and sth nearly 72.0 deg was registered. In the sun on those three days the figures were H7.sdcg, 110.3 deg, and 118 deg respectively. On the other hand, the grass temperature was 29.4 deg on the morning cl the 3rd, and 23.0 deg (9deg below freezing) on the sth. Very heavy dew fell upon thre<j mornings, followed by cloudless, calm days. The first rain of the month (two points) fell on the evening of the 3rd. Between the hours of 2 and 7 this morning several spells of steady heavy ran occurred, measuring 108 points. The air was quite calm and mild—the grass minimum 46.0 deg, so that the surrounding mountain ranges have had no snowfall. The dry spring and summer spell has now been definitely ended by the two heavy rainfalls of March 16 and this morning, together measuring exactly 2in. FAREWELL SOCIAL. Last Tuesday evening, a farewell social was given to Mr John Leamy, of Omkkau, on the eve of his departure on a visit to Ireland. In spite of the fact that the function was organised at very short notice, the Ophir Memorial Hall was well filled. Mr Leamy came to Central Otago from Ireland about 45 years ago, and on arrival took a share in one of the sluicing claims at Tinker’s Gully (now Matakanuil When mining decreased he took a farm on the plain not far from Oraakau, where he has lived ever since. Mr John Clare presided at the social. After several musi cal items the chairman, on behalf of the community, presented Mr Leamy with a case of pipes and an umbrella. Mr Brian Flannery, Poolburn, who had been gold mining beside Mr Leamy at Matakanm, spoke from intimate knowledge of his many admirable qualities; and Mr John M'Knight, of Ophir, also spoke eulogistic terms of Mr Leamy. Other tributes to the geniality and worth of the guest of the evening" wore paid by the Kev. Father O’Connell (Alexandra) and Spillane (Omakau), Mr George Alexander (Lauder), Mr W. A. Bodkin (Alexandra), and Mr T. Donnelly (Matakanui). Messrs G. Harvey and C. White also had seats on the platform. After a characteristic response by Mr Leaniy about 40 of the seniors present attended a smoke concert. Mr Leamy left for Dunedin on Wednesday morning. He will sail at once for the Homeland, .and expects to return to Omakau before next New Year. SCHOOL BAND CONCERT. The Albany Street School Brass Band gave a concert in the Ophir Peace Memorial Hall on Thursday evening. The arrival of the boys at Omakau railway station in the afternoon made a lively event. They were accompanied by four ladies to look after them, for they are 33 in number, and also by Miss King as pianoforte accompanist, Mr Hanna, conductor, and Mr D. Gray, manager. Mr Hanna and Miss King are members of the school staff, and all the boys are pupils at Albany street, out of Standards II and VI their ages ranging from nine years to fourteen. Mr Gray claims for the baud that it is the youngest brass combination in New Zealand. The hall was fairly well filled by a very appreciative audience.' Mr R. Craig, chairman of the Blacks School Commit-, tee, introduced the conductor, accom-' 1 panist, and manager. The programme comprised 18 items, half of these by the full band—throe marches, two hymns, three selections, and a waltz. Imlivi dual members of the band contributed the other nine items. Cornet solos were given by J. Doig and H. Davis, a cornet duet (“Come Back to Erin”) by R. Sivcrtsen and G. Coxhend, E flat bass .saxhorn solo (“Asleep in the Deep”) by H. Lookei’, tenor horn solo (“I Dreamt that I dwelt”) by M. Chisholm, two banjo-mandoline solos by R. Collie, Highland and coon dances by R. Wright. The schoolboys set out, unaided, to give a performance which would hold the interest of an audience for nearly two hours, with only a brief interval. That they succeeded admirably from start to finish is proof of the quality of their performance and the ability of their conductor. The absolutely unanimous attack when the band opened the concert with thte march “ Colonel Bogey ” was a good indication of what was to follow Taken altogether, it was an excellent per fovmauce, which made it difficult to realise that only 10 months ago, when the band formerly visited Central Otago, it was a fife and drum combination, and that the present efficiency of the brass band has been attained after only twelve months’ practice. Before the National Anthem was played Mr Craig expressed thanks to the schoolmaster, Mr Austing, who had attended to all the local arrangements. Mr Holden (school committee secretary) heartily thanked all who were billeting the boys until Saturday afternoon. The Rev. A. Don conveyed the thanks of the committee co the visitors for their excellent performance. He said that ho felt sure that if the boys should come back a crowded hall would welcome them. In reply, Mr Gray referred to the ladies who cared for the boys ar. “ the backbone of the band.” Mr Hanna urged the Blacks school boys to form a band. He said that any of them could learn to play an instrument in three months “ with encouragement from father and mother and four hours’ practice a day.” The band is to appear at Clyde on Saturday, and at Cromwell on Easter Monday, after which the boys will return to Dunedin.