LAKE WANAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 20

LAKE WANAKA.

Albertown, August •15.-~The people in this district have had a couple of high-class entertain went presented to them during the past week. Tho first should be especially mentioned— the ser vice of song " Eva," given iv the Hawea School house in aid of the church funds by the following • —Miss Eliza M'Lennan and Miss Mabel A Green , teachers ; Miss Maggie Lloyd, Miss Dolly Barclay' Miss Nellie Lloyd, scholars ; Miss Green, organ - Miss Cassie Barclay, Miss C. G. Harvey, Mr Lloyd* manager Fork Run ; Mr William Barclay • Mr David Connor, conductor ; Rev. Thomas Harrinßton, in the chair. At the conclusion, Mr Donald M Lennau, sen., proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the singers for their much-appreciated services Mr Harrington, in replying, stated that the singers had spared neither time nor labour in order to perfect themselves in their parts, and tho entertainment would be a credit e^ en to Dunedin (hear 1 hear !), not a false note being made. If they cams to Pembroke he would say that they would get afull house. Votes ,of thanks to Mr Harrington, and Mr Connor terminated the proceedings I have not heard whether they will go to Pembroke: or not, but doubtless the singers there, being animated by a broad fraternal spirit, would give them a hearty welcome. The next affair was »• concert, also in aid of the church funds, ia< Mr Sachtler's Hall, Pembroke, last Friday evening • I have before described the excellent singing of several of the performers in their different classes of singing, so that my task ig much easier, though it is as pleasant as ever The Rev. Thos. Harrington took the ohair at 8 o clock and announced an overture on the piano by Miss Mackellar— the " Battle march of Delhi." The school children (16 in number) followed with Give my love to all at home," to Miss Berg's accompaniment. They sang again afterwards. Miss R. R. King followed with "The officer's funeral," to Miss Mackellar's accompaniment, and sang afterwards. Mr Jno. Botts gave a couple of musical selections on the concertina. There was then a duet by Mr A. G. Thomson and Miss Berg " Gipsy countess," Miss Mackollar accompanying ; Bit Sam M'Skimming gave a couple of stepdances ; Mrs Betts sang Happy be thy dreams," to Mr Bett's accompaniment ; Mr 3 Betts sang in her best style, and her voice being of great power, the volume of it easily filled tho building. Mrs Betts afterwards sang another song, and was encored. Mr Harrington gave a humorous reading, "Pobsby's Courtship," which was very appropriate, seeing that we weie interested just then in noticing the progression of a "heavy maah." Miss B. Sachtler gave v musical selection on the piano. Then came the duet "List to the convent bells," by Mrs Remcr and Miss Berg, to the latter's accompaniment, which was quite a feature. Mr Donald M'Lennan, sen., gave a gaelic song and was cheered; Mr A. G. Thomson then followed with "The dear little shamrock," Miss Berg accompanying. Mr Harrington sang "Nellie Grey ' so well that the audience could not resist joining in the chorus. A piapofoi-te duet by Miss Clark and Miss Sachtler closed tho programme. Mr Robert M'Dougall proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the singers for their kindness, particularly the ladies, who contributed most of tho singing, and to Mr Harrington and Mr Sachtler, the latter for the gratuitous loan of the hall. The financial result was nearly L 9, a very satisfactory result.

Accidents.— A couple of bolts occurred last week which caused a lot of consternation, but happily very little damage was done. Mr William Monteith and Mr A. G. Thomson, both of Pembroke, were returning from Queensbury iv a pair-horse buggy, and stopped at Luggate for a few minutes. A passing horeeman startled the horses, which went off at full gallon towards Albertown. The two gentlemen followed in a doleful frame of mind, thinking of the heavy damage likely to be done— a valuable buggy possibly smashed, horses killed or seriously injured, <fee. When they arrived at Albertown, to their joy thoy found that Mr Rossiter had captured tho runaway team as it went past his house, and that no damage of any kind was done. Tho heaving flanks of the horses and their muddy and foaming condition spoke eloquently of the terrific pace at which they had travelled. The second bolt was a trifle more serious in its consequences, but it might have been worse than it was. At Albertown last Thursday evening the three-horse mail coach drew up m front of the store to deliver the mails, and according 'to custom for yeara and years past, Mr Jacob Davidson, the driver, gave the reigns to his passenger, Miss Mary Ironsides, and likewise asked the byestauders to keep an eye on .the horses, while he delivered mails, parcels, collected fees, Ac. The horses becoming restive and starting off, Miss Ironsides called for Jacob, who seized the wheeler, while Mr Howcjohn seized another one. Jacob called out to his passenger to let go the reins, but Mr Howejohn misunderstood him and let go. Jacob still hung on, however,, and the hor&us described two or three circles and then trampled him under foot, and the wheels ran over him. Miss Ironsides jumped'out, but only got a shaking. The horses then raced on" to Pembroke, but coming.to. to the dry water-race iv front of Mr Robt. Norman's house, the wheeler fell in and stopped the team, and the only damage done was the broken pole. The pluck and cool daring displayed by Mr Davidson is worthy of every commendation, especially as he is past the meridian of life. Wedding Bells. —A quiet marriage was solemnised at Pembroke last week, when Mr Peter M'Dougall was married to Miss Blanche Russell by the registrar, Mr Robert M'Dougall. This marriage had much to commend itself, as the celebrants did not make any ceremony, but went about their ordinary avocation as if nothing iinusual had happened, the marriage being only a little break in the day. Health Note.— The children have been having a trying time with lung troubles during the last few weeks. Three have died —Mr Donald M 'Lean's second little boy at Hawea, Mr Alex. Wilson's infant at Pembroke, and Mr James Kerin's second little girl at Cromwell. Racing.— The W.J.C. intend to give two days' racing this year as usual, and the stewards have undertaken to energetically canvass for subscriptions ; but of this more again.