STRATH-TAIEIU.

Otago Witness, Issue 1977, 14 January 1892, Page 21

STRATH-TAIEIU.

Jaxuaiiv 11. — All fear of the drought has now passed, tlieonly disquieting thought being that the harvesting operations m iglit be retarded, or that the crops might be .spoiled, by too much wet weather. During the w hole month of December I am pretty certain that there was not a day on which rain did not fall in greater or less quantities. As a result the crojis are looking splendid, although in a few patches they are laid. Grass is plentiful, and on some of the hills the grass on which was burnt off during the diy seasons and did not spring again, it is now springing up into vigorous life. . Sfokts.— The Strath-Taien Caledonian Society held it^, annual meeting on the Ist hist. The weather was all that could bo desired, and a goodly number of spectators, some of whom came a long distance, were present. The prize-winnera were as under :—: — Quoits.— X. Campbell 1, Millar 2, Murray 3. 100 yds Race.— Fisher 1, Slater 2. Tutting the Stone.— J. Carr 1, L. Can- 2. Throwing the Hammer.— Carr 1, M'Donaid 2. Hop, Step, and Jump.— L. Carr 1, Slater 2. Sack Rivce.— G. Neill 1, J. Morrison 2. Tilting at the King.— G. Neill 1, Morrison 2, R. M'Donald 3. Strath-Taieri Handicap. — Fi&her 1 ; J. Neill, W. Dow, and Brady divided 2nd and 3rd money. "Wrestling (Heavy-weight).— Morrison 1, M'Kay 2 Wrestling (Light-weight).— Ryanl, 11. M'Donald 2 Three-legged Race.— Sheath and Slater 1, Fisher and O'Connell 2. . Vaulting.— Carr 1, E. Morrison and Murray 2. High Leap.— L. Cirri, G. Carr 2. Long Leap.— Slater 1, L. Carr 2. Mile Race.— Hercus 1, Morrison 2. Old Man's Race.-M'Fadyen ], Sheehy 2. Single Ladies' Race.— Miss M'Kay 1, Miss X. Nolan 2, Miss J. M'Kay 3. „,„, , , r Married Ladies' Race.— Mrs, M'l-adyen 1, Mr-. Cartwright 2, Mrs Beattie 3. Tug of |Wai\— Married Y. Single, won by tha

married men after great excitement and a tough struggle. In the evening a ball was held in Mrs Webb's hall, which the commitee had to prepare for the occasion. Mr George M'Donald made a very courteous and efficient M.C. Messrs M'Phee, Popliam, Sehriek (violin), Carr, and Higgins (accordion) were the musicians. The hall was crowded— rather too much so to be comfortable. Dancing was kept up with great spirit till daylight. Mrs Johnston did the catering, giving every satisfaction. School.— The school has taken up again after the holidays, but the attendance is very low. The new school, seven miles above the river from Middleinarch, called the Hukinga School, i.s nearly finished and will be ready tor occupation after the harvest. Mr Robert Neill, chairman of the Strath-Taieri School Committee, has announced himself as a candidate for a seat on the Education Board. He has bad a largo and varied experience as a teacher, is well conversant with educational affairs, and w mild make a -firstclass representative for the central districts of Otago, as his own experience would enable him to gauge correctly the requirements of small' and remote schools.