HAVELOCK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 16

HAVELOCK.

Jancaby 10. — The Waitahuna agricultural show held on the 30th inst. was as usual largely attended. The weather was all that could be desired, and the takings at the^ gate amounted to about £30. The exhibits were unfortunately not so numerous as in previous years, the Tokomairiro people not showing up at all. The Taieri show, beingheld just a day or two previously, had the advautage, as the distance back to Waitahuna could not well be accomplished without detriment to the stock. This' accounts in a measure for the exhibits, t with the' exception of the poultry, being almost entirely local. Fowls of , • every description bailing fi-om the Tuapeka district Secured first honours, and the Tuapekaites are to be congratulated on their success in the particular 'line chosen by them, but that inducement, the only one by the way offered is not sufficient to warrant the Farmers' Club in carrying into effect the oft-repeated suggestion so ably advocated by the Tuapeka Times of holding our show alternately at Lawrence and Waitahuna. The unnecessary trouble and needless expense entailed if 6uch a course were adopted must bo patent to all, as there is no stock' in the whole of the Tuapeka district superior to that of Waitahuna; while as to dairy produce at the late horticultural show held in Lawrence, the chief prizetakers in butter &0.. we're from Waitahun*. , Concert.— Of th« concert in connection, with 1 the show held the same evening soibe mention most be made. Quite a number of gentlemen amateurs' eager to distinguish themselves sang, and ttieir apparently blissful' ignorance of the amusement afforded by their good-natured efforts was the best parts of the entertainment. The dance which followed was crowded to ex- ' cess, arid the result financially was £14 odd. Ode Volunteers.— Borne, timeago tlie Waifca.huna Rifles challenged the Tuapeka corps to fire a return match .on New ■ Year's Day, and ag not the slightest notice was. taken of the challenge it was erroneoublyjconcluded that the Tuapekaites were unwilling to risk an unfairly made reputation, as they must admit that the recent victory scored by them was due to a little bit of sharp practice. This idea turned out to be an erroneous one, however; for it appears that the Tuapekaites, still following the crooked road, had decided to bold the .Wai tahnna corps in jgnoranceof their intention to'acceptthe challenge, trusting to the advantage gained by taking them unawares to score another victory. The first part of the programme was satisfactorily carried out— the Tuapeka contingent arriving here an New Year's Day in .warlike array, and with "smiles that were childlike and bland" greeting our simple youth, whose intense amazement' at the cool assurance of the whole proceeding evidentlytiieconcertedthomightyfew, woo were, however, allowed to 1 beat an honourable retreat. As the best of our marksmen were either absent or otherwise engaged,' the rest having brains enough to see through' the enemy's tactics, declined the responsibility of forming a detachment worthy of the occasion, and the wise decision was received by the' Tuapeka volunteers with bent, brows and stormy looks at being thus checkmated, and so they took their departure amid sad smiles and sympathetic glances that did not seem to have a consoling effect on tho chosen. few, who I have, 6ince heard intend henceforth to give the fullest publicity to theirintentions where challenges are concerned, more especially with regard to the Waitahuna Rifles. A Change.— l regret to say that Mr Macan. drew, our head master, is about to leave us, having secured a better school elsewhere, For last six years be has done excellent work in the Waitahuna school, and his loss will be severely felt not only in educational matters but in every section of our small community. Of a genial and obliging disposition, he hss been the chief promoter of from the largest to the smallest movement having for its object the public good. As a teacher in the Sunday school and a member of the Blue' Ribbon Society his place will not be easily filled', bnt as our loss will be his gain we must be content with wishing him happiness and success in his fresh undertaking ; and Bhould he still continue to obtain as high a percentage of passes the people in his new field of labour will have no reason to complain.

The Weather is very hot and dry, the want of rain being severely felt, though crops are looking well everywhere.