LAKE WANAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1994, 12 May 1892, Page 20

LAKE WANAKA.

Alberto wn, May 10.— Since I wrote last we have" had a couple of wet, squally days, but yesterday (Sunday) is again a bright sunny day. Some of the iwild trees have blossoms on them. FLAX.—The flax mill will be closed for the winter, as it is found to be almost impossible to dry itheiibre during the winter months. Entertainment.— We had a treat at Pembroke last 1 Friday night. A portion of the Arrow B^nd came over and gave an entertainment in the Olympic Hall, followed by a dance, which broke up at the reasonable hour of 1 o'clock. Several of the members were unable to get away, so that in order to make the affair complete the local talehtf assisted,' for which the band expressed their thanks, and also to Mr M'Dougall for his 'assistance, To begin with the local talent. Misfc Beatrice Sachtler frequently accompanied on the piano, as did also Mr A. G. Thomson. Mr S. M'Skimming contributed a couple of stepdances, and Mr H. A. Flatman a couple of songs. Tile-brass band opened the proceedings with a musical selection by the following performers :— S. Fergusson, bandmaster ; G. G. Marsh, G. Travis, and W, J. Marsh, cornets ; Petter Rattigan and W. F. Baker, baritones; P. de la Perrelle; bass.- Songs were interspersed by Messrs W. J. Marsh and W. J. Baker, and there were also musical solos and selections. Mr W. J. Marsh has a very strong, melodious voice, and his enunciation is perfect, so that every word was distinctly audible. His first contribution was the pathetic and sentimental " The shipmates at sea," and 'the other the "Village blacksmith' A screaming negro farce by Messrs W. J. Marsh, Rattigan, Travis, and W. J. Baker, terminated the first part of the programme. The hall was then cleared and dancing begun, the music being supplied by Messrs W. J. Marsh (piano), G. G. Marbh (cornet),' Baker (piccolo), and P. Rattigan (flute). The attendance was not very large, principally owing to the bad weather. In fact, we thought that for this reason the visitors would npt appear. On coming into Pembroke the band gave some selections which were hoard for several miles round, thus giving notice that they had arrived. They performed at Cardrona also on Saturday night. Rabbit Exterminators.— l noticed some remarks on these 'contrivances in a recent Witness. Rabbit exterminators are slow and expensive, ana in time the bellows wear out, as the leather and wood Become so. porous that the air escapes, and then it is impossible to force the fumes into the holes. The best plan is to place a handful of sulphur in the holes, and on top of that a small piece of phosphorous, and then light it and close up the hole. The match must be applied with a pair of long-handled pinchers in order to avoid running the risk of burning the hands. If it is a large warren, an extra quantity of material must be used and applied to every hole. _ A Weekly Half-holiday.— With the incoming football season at Cromwell, efforts are being made for the business houses to be closed every Wednesday afternoon, so as to give the inmates opportunity to play. It is to be hoped that something of the kind will be done here, I heard once of a half holiday being established in a township, and one avaricious storekeeper used to be always on the lookout for people who forgot about the holiday and came into the township for stores, these he would admit through the back way, and to them' he would always charge extra prices and afterwards used to boast that on these days he did his best trade. That broke up the half holiday. In that township the shops are always open till 10 and 11 o'clock at night. Comment is unnecessary. . School Committee Election.— Owing to the new regulations only five members of the new I committee are now required. It was some diffi-

culty to make the choice, as all the old members, always made it a point to -attend the meetings regularly and take an intelligent interest in the proceedings, and spared neither time nor trouble, * in doing so, so that we did not know which two to spare. Finally the choice ran on Messrs Monteith (chair), Richard Norman (clerk), Robert H. Norman, George Miller, and John Parsons. The committee has decided to hold an entertainment on Friday week in aid of funds to fence in the school grounds, and as it is over two years since the last one they should have a bumper hous,e. The board has named this school the Lower Wanaka District School, from the name of the survey district in which it is situated. The new teacher, Miss King, is pleasing both the scholars and the people.