PENINSULA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 13

PENINSULA.

September 9. — Anderson's Bay. — The telephone is now established in the district, the bureau being in the store of Mr J. Samuel. It will be a great boon to residents, and save many weary trudges into towii for the doctor.

Post-office. — Our most pressing need now — next to greater conveniences of travelling to to and from the city — is a local post-office. In this respect the district has been much neglected. Letters are left at one or other of the local stores, and possibly reach their destination within a week, but occasionally lie perdu for months, until the storekeeper happens to see the owner passing. Seeing that the district has never benefited in any way from the enormous expenditure of public money which has been going on during the past 15 years, the residents have a right to some small consideration, and the establishment of a post-office at one of the local stores would not entail a heavy strain upon the public purse. Residents simply ask for a paid postmaster in order that letters may be left at some duly recognised place where they may call without being under any obligation to the person in charge. Under the present arrangement the storekeeper may take in the letters or not at his pleasure ; and it is asking too much of ordinary shopkeepers to expect them to oblige residents who, perhaps, deal in an opposition shop.

Lectures. — We have been treated to two lectures lately — the first by the Rev. J. H. Cameron, under the auspices of the Mutual Improvement Association, being on "Milton." The rev. lecturer handled his subject very ably, and treated his audience — a very small one, I regret to say — to a very pleasant and instructive paper. The second lecture was by the Rev. Mr Niven, his subject being " The Bible." Mr Niven is pushing the good work of the Bible Society, and to that end has been addressing meetings throughout the district. By using large diagrams of the Egyptian, Babylonish, and other ancient monumental aud historical records, Mr Niven is enabled to illustrate the subject, and bring the history of the Sacred Book more forcibly before the minds of his audience. The diagrams of the Rosetta and Moabitish stones were inspected with great interest, and the rev. gentleman was awarded a hearty vote of thanks for his most instructive and entertaining address.

Late Cab. —An enterprising cabman has started a late cab from town thrice weekly. It is a great boon to the residents, who are thus enabled to get in and out on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays up to 10 o'clock p.m. I trust that the enterprise will turn out as profitably as it deserves.

Volunteers.— The officers of the local corps are credited with having safely passed the required examination, and will doubtless shortly receive their resj>ective commissions. The examination of candidates for positions as noncommissioned officers was held last week, and resulted : — Ist class petty officers, A. Weir, F. A. Cutfcen, and J. Sanderson ; 2nd class petty officers, G. N. Morris, A. Napier, J. A. Sanderson, and W. H. Cutteu.

Lawn Tennis. — The members of the local club are practising diligently for the match against the University Club, which is to take place on Saturday next, weather permitting. I expect them to give a good account of themselves, and will notify the result in your next. The Weather has been most changeable and unpleasant during the week. A heavy gale has been blowing on and off for the whole week, doing much damage to trees, fences, roofs, &c. It is to be hoped that the new moon and eclipse will bring us a change, which must be for the better.

We have much sickness in the district, and several deaths have taken place. ' In our small community every death leaves a blank not quickly filled up.

TSIKOA2B BAY.

September 7. — For the last six weeks our school has been undergoing changes. First of all our old teacher resigned, leaving the board's service. The children then had to take a fortnight's compulsory holiday, when we were fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr J. A. Robertson ns relieving teacher. This lu.sted until the end of hist month, when lie accepted tho mastership of the Njiapara school. Several more holidays untied till Mr Huie comincuced

operations on the 2nd iCSt. It is due to Mr Robertson to say that at the ordinary meeting of the school committee on Saturday last a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded him for'bis efficient management of the school during the short time he had been in charge. Mr Robertson will doubtless be as well appreciated for his geniality and sociableness in his new district as he was here*

The Weather has been the favourite topic of conversation with us during the past week. "Wednesday's gale was a little bit out of the commoil Way. I have been a resident here for nearly 20 yeafs/ »-nd I never remember such a fierce gale coming upon us so suddenly. The half haystacks that are frequently seen standing at this season suffered severely, and some of our farmers evinced anything but pleasure on finding searely a trace of these unsightly relics. Vegetation has received a check. Early potatoes and pease were well forward, as also were peach, apricot,' cherry, and plum trees, some of which were m full bloom. But as these are usually m shelfere'd situations they would probably not suffer nlueh.

"The Seasou." — Strangers to this locality are invariably struck with the beauty of its situation, especially if they explore back from the beach half a mile or sO. Already we have had several small parties down for a change, buts as yet it is too early for bathing. Clairvoyance. — That "dreams go by contraries " is an old saying which necessitates an exception now and again to prove the rule. A resident in this neighbourhood thought he would provide the exception, with what amount o£ success the sequel will show. Some weeks ago he had lost a cow at calving time, and after several weeks of fruitless hunting and inquiring dreamed that the missing beast would be at the Burnside cattle-yards for sale on a certain day. Determined to verify his dream or prove the correctness of the old axiom, the journey to town was made the day before in order to be at the yards early, so that he would be able not only to " spot " the cow if she appeared, but also the party who drove her in ; but all to no purpose. After a morning's watching in no very pleasant weather, our " clairvoyant " had to acknowledge himself beaten, as the missing cow failed to put in an appearance.