LAKE WANAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2120, 11 October 1894, Page 22

LAKE WANAKA.

October 9.— The weather still continues very dry, and if rain does not come soon thei'e will likely be a failure in the crops. Last year it rained every fortnight, but it is now about five weeks since we had a shower. Luckily, there is little or no wind, and there are heavy dews at night, which will help to keep the crops from suffering. Church Concert at Pembroke.— This affair, held in Mr Sachtler's Hall, was a decided success. It was what might be called a universal concert, seeing that the surrounding districts contributed singers. The programme included Misses Stockweli and Taylor, from Cardrona ; Misses Barclay, Green, and Frewen. from Hawea ; and Miss Waddell, from Queensbury, in addition to the local talent— Miss King, Mr and Mrs Turnbull, Mrs Clarke, and Miss Sachtlcr, Mr Thomson and the school children. Mr Sachtler has made further addition" to his hall, the ceiling of the stase has been papo-cri, and a circle of large Chinese lanterns is hung round the hall, the centre of the circle being also the centre of the hall, To render the accoustics of the hall more perfect Mr Sachtler has stretched a lob of wire netthisr, 100 yds in all. acros? the hall to take the place of the ceiling. This does not prevent ventilation, and Mr Sachtler tells me that the English House of Commons is done on the same plan. A person can easily make his voice heard from the ttage to the doorway, but of course at entertainments he has often to lift his voice to be heard above the hum of conversation. Thje Late Fire,— l noticed that you had

particulars of the accidental burning of Mr Wm. Allan's dwelling house at Pembroke. The house was quite close to the church, and the fire occurred just as the congregation was coming out, and it was largely owing to the exertions of some of the worshippers that the piano was saved, and the store saved from taking fire. Mr Allan lost about £30 worth of bank notes. It will be some little time yet before he will be prepared to rebuild, as it always takes some time to get all the material together in an out-of-the-way place like this. Cycling. — It may interest bicyclists to know that a bicycle has come to stay up here, Mr C. J. Morris having purchased a most expensive one. School.— The vacancy in the Luggate School caused by the retirement of Miss Alice Annette has been filled by Miss Dickie, from Mosgiel, who forwarded a good recommendation from Miss Scott, who was the first teacher at Luggate. It will be remembered that Miss Annette was presented with a gold watch before leaving BLyeburn, her last place. I hear that school committees do not now place so much reliance as they formerly did on testimonials given by private individuals.