LAKE WANAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2055, 13 July 1893, Page 22

LAKE WANAKA.

Albertown, July 10.— The Hawea Flat School Committee gave a concert and ball in aid of the school funds on Friday night week. It was a decided financial success, and about 20 men in the "fur trade "suddenly put in an appearance, which was quite a good lift. The entertainment presented a good variety, and many of the items were vigorously encored. The first item was an overture by the brass band, which was strengthened by the addition of Mt Williams, a visitor from Cromwell. A quartetttrof the band afterwards played a selection from "Maritana," which Mr L. Murphy informed me was the result of two months practice. A couple of voaal selections were given by 14 of the school children, led by the teacher, Miss M. A. Green, while Miss W. W. Green, presided at the organ. Some of the children were but little toddlers five and six years, and they all looked very nice. The glee party sang three times. Miss W. W. Green and Mr D. Connor gave a duet. Other songs were given by Misses Barclay and M'Lennan, and Messrs Saville and Connor. Mr Hogan contributed a concertina solo, which lent variety to the programme. Mr Felix Fox, jun., gave a humorous recitation, and Miss M. A. Green recited a beautiful poem full of patriotism and fine sentiments. Mr Saville and Miss W. W* Green divided the accompaniments. The interval ot 10 minutes was succeeded by the two act farcial comedy "Brass," in which the following took part :— Messrs John M'Cormick, Saville, Hogan, F. Fox (jun.), F. TJrquhart, Calder, M. Fox, and William Barclay, and Misses K. Fox, Eliza M'Lennan, W. W. Green, and Cassie Barclay. In this farce there is the penniless adventurer casting covetous eyes at the heiress; the vain old rascal likewise desirous of securing the prize ; the villainous lawyer who regards divorces as first-rate institutions for tha lawyers j the smart, clever woman with the

idiotical, uncouth husband, who therefore died and lived. Courting and loving and flirting were quite promiscuous, but everything came out right at the finish. The farce largely owes its existence to the Haw'ea Mutual Improvement Society, which has about 50 members, about 30 of whom meet in the schoolhouse every alternate Monday night. The subjects discussed are within the reach of everyone, and much benefit is derived from their discussion. I was once present at a" similar meeting in another district at which a member read a carefully prepared and learned article on the trade guilds of London. This, like the majority of subjects discussed at these meetings, required a special course of study and reading to enable the members to say anything about it. The'Hawea Club, on the other hand, seeks to effect an exchange of existing ideas, which is much to be commended. It is to be regretted that a section of the community who wonld rather be in favour of a boxing saloon, assemble outside the building on meeting night and make remarks that are very much out of place, and it seems that they are so deficient in gallantry that the lady members are sometimes made the subject of ( these remarks. Steps are, however, being taken to put a stop to these practices. Old Residents.— Many people here will remember Mr George Hassing, who lived in this district for many years, and was afterwards teafcher at Cardrona, and now of Heddon Bush. At Mr G. D. Braik's recent examination he gave Mr Hassing much praise, and also commended the school committee for the labour expended in draining and beautifying the school grounds.— Mr G. M. Yeldham, who was a residentlhere tor half a lifetime, has come back again from Tasmania after an absence of several years, and has decided to remain here. Mr Hy. Hoffman has also finally decided to settle down here, after an extensive sojourn in Melbourne.