LAKE WANAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 17

LAKE WANAKA.

Aibertown, JuiY 26.— During the winter the weather has been very inclement, and the want of a shelter shed for the school children has been urgently felt. Accordingly Mr A. G. Thomson, the schoolmaster, decided to organise an entertainment and appeal to the liberality of the public. These entertainments are the oases in the wilderness of our existence, as it were. Fortunately this district possesses a mine of wealth of theatrical and musical talent, an asset which was largely availed ot in the present case. The various persons who assisted acquitted themselves very creditably, and spared neither time nor trouble to bring the matter to a successful issue. In this connection I might particularly mention Mrs Hedditch, who played the accompaniment every evening during the rehearsals, and also at the entertainment. Time and space will not admit of a detailed report of each item, it being sufficient to state that the performerß displayed more than usual ability to be seen up-country, and gave a very creditable account ot themselves. A musical selection by Mrs Hedditch opened the evening. Mr A. G. Thomson sang " The little hero" and •' Oome, birdie, come," which were undoubtedly the gems of the evening. Mr J. G. M'Clymont sang "Sailing" and " Our Jack's come home", -and Mr George Neal gave a recitation, while Misses B. Russell and M. Hedditch a pianoforte solo. Mr Richard Norman, in eccentric costume iind burnt cork, gave the local news, which was some of the old jokes presented in new array, and laughable local inoidents told in eccentric wording, Mr Andrew M'Dougall's lecture on " Tompernnce," in burnt cork and costume.nssißted by his secretary, Mr A. G, Thomson, finished this part of the programme. A five minutes interval ushered in the Christy minstrel performance, which consisted of the beforementioned gentlemen, with the addition of Messrs A. T. Brown and W. B. Sangster, who played the violin. The jokes |and conundrums told immensely, and the songs, to Mr Thomson's accompaniment on the piano, were well rendered. After the next interval came " The U. S. Mail," a negro farce which was well received by the audience. The characcers were taken by Misse3 B. Hedditch and F. E. Thomson, and Messrs A. G. Thomson and A. M'Dougall. Dancing was then entered into with great spirit, Mr Dan Urquhart acting as M.C, while Meisrs Saville and Thomson (piano), and A. M'Dougall, W. B. Sangster, and Browning (violin) relieved each other. I would recommend that the gentlemen on future occasions be asked to decide by ballot the questionas to who is belle, as it is always allowed to remain a moot point. Obituary.— lt is with extreme regret that I have, to chronicle the death of Mr Thomas Cooper in the Cromwell Hospital last week. Some weeks ago Mr Cooper was assisting to remove a wooden bouse, when it fell on him and broke his thigh bone and inflicted other injuries. At first he was progressing favourably, but a sudden relapse set in and he died in a few minutes. At the inquest a verdict of " Death from natural causes " was returned by the jury. Rabbits. — The rabbits seem to be very scarce this winter, and tho rabbiters are making very small wages. Last year I caught several rabbits with the bladder disease in the thighs.

A Disagreeable Incident.— The Tarras fire enquiry has not yet become a legend in this district, and the incident recorded below may perhaps shed a small ray of light on the darkness. A few weeks after the fire a " tourist," of evil appearance, carrying with him wardrobe on his back enveloped in a blue blanket, called on a neighbouring landed proprietor, and with the coolness of an American tramp announced himself as a candidate for a night's lodgings, which, under the circumstances, the farmer refused, especially as the sun stood midway in the westernheavens. The wayfarer's countenance at once grew dark and lowering, and he went off muttering threats. When the shades of evening gathered round, the farmer went to the gate, and to his surprise met tho tourist lying on the ground, apparently nursing his wrath and keeping it warm. At the sight of the farmer it blazed out into new life, for he at once began to "shed" his clothing aud, in colonial parlauce, intimated that he was " his Moses," and invited him to single combat, telling him he wanted burning out to bring him to his senses. The farmer merely replied that he Bhould not expend his substance in riotous living and then be obliged to prey on hard working members of society. The '"tourist" waa somewhat mollified at the farmer's unruffled though determined manner, and went off muttering. However, the farmer came safely through the ordeal. I understand that this is not au insolated instance of threatening tramps, especially down-country.