MIDDLEMARCH NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21531, 31 December 1931, Page 11

MIDDLEMARCH NOTES

■ ■ (From Our Own Correspondent.) MIDDLEMARCH, December 30. EX-PUPILS’ PICNIC. The newly-formed Ex-pupils’ Association of the Strath-Taieri School held its first annual reunion in the school grounds on Saturday, taking the form of a ' picnic, followed by a dance in the evening. The weather was perfect, and a very large gathering of ex-pupils and friends assembled on the grounds. The chairman of the Ex-pupils’ Committee (Mr W. G. Thomson) welcomed those present to the first annual reunion of the school, and said he hoped that they would enjoy the afternoon. The following sports programme was carried out. The programme was opened with races for the children of all ages, and each child received a cash prize:— 75 Yards Young Ladies’ Race (under 18 years) : Irene Tisdall 1, Molly R. Rowe 2. 120 Yards Open Handicap: Alexander Robertson 1, J. Minton 2. Single Ladies’ Handicap (over 18 years): Ella Robson 1, Ethel Thompson 2, Winnie Mason 3. 100 Yards Youths’ Handicap (under 18 years): S. Turnbull 1, A. Collier 2. Young Married Ladies’ Race: Mrs G. Pedofsky 1, Mrs E. Turnbull 2. Young Married Men’s Race: R. Richardson 1, E. Cogger 2. Wheelbarrow Race (lady and man): L. Robertson and Mrs G. Robertson 1, D. Peat and Mrs G. Peat 2. Married Ladies’ Race: Mrs B. Robertson 1, Mrs W. G. Thomson 2. Cigarette Race: A. Thompson and Mrs A. Murray 1, M. Robertson and Miss M. Elliot 2. Married Men’s Race (over 40 years) ; T. A. Elliot 1, T. M'Clintock 2, J. Thomson 3. Tug-of-war, five men in eaSh team (five teams competed) : W. Mason, J. Thomson, L. J. Keast, T. Elliot, and M. Valentine 1. The Middlemarch Brass Band, under Conductor Mr T. M'Clintock, was present, and rendered items during the afternoon. A successful dance was held in the A. and P. Hall in the evening. THE WEATHER. From the fanner’s point of view, the weather during the past 12 months has been favourable. With a rainfall of eight inches for the first three months and almost six inches for the last three months, it will be seen that the district was fortunate in having such a heavy rainfall during the growing period of the year, with a dry winter. The month of October, when 239 points of rain fell, was one of the finest ever experienced in the district. The rainfall for the past 12 months is as follows: —January: Rain fell on 17 days—total, 428 points. February: Rain fell on 7 days—total, 252 points. March: Rain fell on B.days—total, 103 points. April: Rain fell on 7 days—total, 93 points. May: Rain fell on 6 days—total, 82 points. June: Rain fell on 6 days—total, 155 points. July: Rain fell on 2 days—total, 23 points. August: Rain fell on 11 days—total, 193 points. September: Rain fell on 7 days—total, 03 points. October: Rain fell on 10 days—total, 239 points. November: Rain fell on 7 days—total, 102 points. December: Rain fell on 9 days—total, 248 points. Total: 19.81 in on 97 days.