LAKE WANAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 22

LAKE WANAKA.

Albertown, August I.— l see "Householder" has a few remarks 4 in reference to my report of the meeting of householders at Pembroke to elect a new school committee. The omission he complains of— that I did not * state that the extra fencing remains unpaid for, and consequently, is to be added to the committee's debt— was unintentional. The figures quoted in the balance sheet are the committee's, not mine. I was desirous of confining myself to what transpired at the meeting, ana if anyone had asked what was done to the residence for the £17 worth of repairs, the particulars would have been recorded. However, the committee has something lasting to (ihow for the money they spent, for they have a collection of some thousands of seedling forest trees. Amusements.— The concert, farce, and fancy dress Dall in aid of the Pembroke School funds duly camo off last Friday night, and was most successful in every respect. The concert was shorter than usual in order to give plenty of time for the farce and the ball. This was to be regretted, as some of our best singers consequently did not appear. The first item was the recitation, ".William Tell," by Mr Robert M'Dougall, sen., with appropriate gestures. The comic song "Mary Ann," by Mr Thomson, followed, and Mr M'Skimming gave a step dance. The action song " Busy little mother," by two of the school children (Misses Thomson and Cayford), was very nice, and they looked well. Mr Alf. Austin, an old friend from Cardrona, sang the Negro song " Nicodemus Johnson in appropriate character and costume. A dancing duet by " Biddy and Pat," Messrs James Patterson and M'Skimming, followed, which closed the concert. An interval of 10 minutes followed, during which Mrs Hedditch played selections on the piano. The farce was a genuine surprise to the audience, especially as this was Mr J. Cayford's maiden appearance here. The acting throughout was very creditable. The characters were— Mr Larkspur, the ambitious sculptor, Mr John M'Dougall ; Mr Trotter, his model, posing as Alexander the Great, Mr Thomson ; Dr Stonecrop, the connoisseur, Mr J. Cayford ; Kate, his niece, who was in love with Mr Larkspur, Miss Sachtler. Another interval precluded the great event of the evening— the fancy dresß ball, and everyone was on the tiptoe of excitement, and when all the guests assembled, one and all declared it to be the best show ever seen up country. Many of the people came in ordinary dress. Mr M'Skimming was M.0., and Messrs Millar and Andrew M'Dougall played the violin, while Messrs Thomson and Hogan relieved each other at the piano. Refreshments were served round in due course of . the evening, and there was sufficient to give the children a treat next day. The following is a list of all the costumes and dresses, but it would take too long to go into details :— Mr William Mon« teith, "Father Christmas," with a fine long majestic beard made from his own flax from the Makarora, which one and all declared to be the most striking costume in the room; Mr J. B. Ewing, Australian stockman; Mr Sutherland, jun., Clergyman ; Mr Peter M'Dougall, Captain of English volunteers ; Mr Theodore Russell, Cricketer : Mr W. S. S. Cantrell, Jockey ; Mr M'Skimming, Sailor ; Mr J. Paterson, Cricketer ; Mr John Faulks, Footballer ; Mr C. A. Hedditch, Sailor ; Mr John Mackay, Soldier k , Mr John M'Dougall, High School footballer: Miss G. Cayford, €f Morning" ; Mrs J. Cayford, "Night"; Miss Bella Russell, "Carmen, the Gipsy Queen " ; Mrs Renier, Grecian lady ; Miss Emily Russell, "Mother Hubbard"; Miss MacKellar, Swiss peasant girl rMiss Mary Mackay, Highland girl ; Miss Amy Hedditch, Muscovite ; Mrs M'Skimming, "Nancy Lee"; Miss Mary Russell, Romp ; Miss B. Sachtler, Tambourine girl ; Miss Roberts, French flower girl ; Miss | Ettie Lafranchi, "Spring"; Miss Lydia Ironsides, "Night"; Miss Maggie Harvey, "Red Riding Hood" ; Miss 0. Cayford, "Red Riding Hood 3 ; Mrs P. M'Dougall, Italian dancing girl ; , Miss Dove Mackay, larrikiness.