WAIKAKA.

Otago Witness, 14 December 1893, Page 22

WAIKAKA.

December 12.— The weather during the past week or so has been anything but conducive to the growth of the young crops, but most had a good start, and those may not be retarded seriously. Shearing is well forward among the farmeis, and the clip is turning out quite up to the average. Entertainment.— The North Cbatton Band of Hope gave an entertainment the other week in aid nf the school funds, and met with every success. The progiamme was. a good one, and was creditably gone through. The gross result, the secretary informs me, was £S 4s, and the expenses were very light. The School. — The attendance at the school keeps up well, and the roll number is on the increase. Some kind of a fete will be held at the breaking up, but its precise nature has not been decided upon yet. At anyrate some musical (vocal) and elocutionary display will be made, and I am informed that the talent for this is available in the school.

Cjuckei I.—The1 .— The boys of the school (Waikaka) met those of Wendon Valley in a friendly game of cricket at the former place last week, when the match resulted in a win for tho home team by some 74 runs — Wendon Valley oi and 11, Wailraka 36 and 104. The senior club has not played a match at home as yet, though three have been played abroad, of which two were won. But little more cricket will be played before the New Year, after which more time will be at the disposal of tho members of the club, C'oMiNd Si'OßTS.— The Sports Committee are making a stir in anticipation of the holidays. A meeting was held about a week ago, when a strong committee was appointed to make necespary arrangements. The sports are to take place

on the usual date, Boxing Day, and a concert will be held at night in the hall. It is a great drawback that no proper ground has as yet been secured for recreation purposes. There is abundance of unoccupied ground available, but notwithstanding this year after year the Sports Committee are content to go begging for the use of a paddock. If the Government is to blame it is a shame to them. If not, it is a greater shame to those having an interest in the place. Improvements.— Mr Robeits has his store finished now, and it is nicely arranged inside, and capable of displaying a large quantity of stock. A new storekeeper, Mr A. M'Donald, of Wendon Valiey, has taken over Mr R. Scobie's business, the latter gentleman having taken up a run near Lake l'e Anau, a place by the way which he depicts as the paradise of the South Island.

Greenvale.— The people of Greenvale have at last attained the boon of a school in their midst The building is at present in course of erection by Mr A. P. Srnydt, who seems to do a considerable amount of building for the board, and he certainly does good work.

Ouu Member.— Though the three candidates for our district (Wakatipu) received pretty equal support in this locality, all parties appear to be satisfied with the result. All with one accord proclaim Mr Fraser to be a man in whom unlimited confidence can be placed. The straightforward, out-spoken expression of his convictions won the admiration of friend and foe alike The Sequel to the Old Miners' Episode — It will be within the recollection of most of my readers that some time ago an old identity William Corin by name, died very suddenly at Waikaka. An inquest having been deemed necessaiy, it came out that he and his mate, James Langley had been together for 47 years in Victoria and New Zealand. While in Victoria they had lent a man some money. The man failed, and they thought no more about the matter, and ultimately quite forgot the circumstance. However, shortly before Corin's death, the man to whom the money was_ lent, having in the meantime recovered his position, forwarded through a friend who had informed him of their whereabouts the sum of £300. This sum was lodged in Corin's name, lie having always acted for himself and his mate. Both knew that whatever the one had the other was welcome to, for they had ever kept a common purse, and they were not up to the ways of business ; so the money was allowed to remain in the bank in Cqrin's name till his death. At the inqueßt the jury recommended that Langley should at least get half of the money. Since then the Public Trustee has admitted the claim, and the old man will now get his share at least, and he may possibly get the whole, for Corin had no relatives living.