LAKE WANAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2210, 9 July 1896, Page 25

LAKE WANAKA.

July 7.— The weather still continues to be remarkably fine— slight frosts occasionally, fogs Bometimep, sunny days at intervals, with an odd shower of rain, constitute our weather just now. However, the barometer during the past week has been much lower than for some months, and there ware many indications of a coming change, but happily it has blown over, and the barometer is rising again. Change —Constable Remer, who has had charge of the constabulary station at Pembroke for about eight years pa*<t, has been transferred to Clinton, and Constable Nicholas Marsh, from Oaniaru, takes his place. Mr Remer always has been very obliging in giving me any information I required, and sometimes went to some trouble to do so. In common with the other residentp, I wish him good lurk in bis ne* sphere. Fatal Accident.— A sad accident happened at the head of Like Wanaka, resulting in the loss by drowning of young William John, whose parents are settlers at the head of Luke Hawea. I have not been able to obtain details as yet, but it appears that deceased while rafting timber down the Wilkin River to the lake slipped off the raft, and nnver rose to the surface. Mr R M off at came down from Makarora to acquaint the police, and Constable M.ai>h went up to investigate. Weddik%Bells. —A couple of interesting marriages were lately celebrated, as the celeb- ants are somewhat widely known, and three of them have resided in the district since childhood. At luvrc-trgill Jane, the third daughter of Mr. H«?nry Mackay, of M lmret, was married to Frederick L. '» 'lapp, of the Hsilway department ; at Pembroke, by the Rev. W. K. XJrant, Fred Trevitheu, of Luggate, married Auna, eldest daughter of Mr Alt xander Wilson. Church Matters.— The church at Pembroke is flourishing. LuFt Sunday night week the pastor, the-Kev. W. K. Grant, a'lmistered the sacrmiwnt to 1 those of his congregation who desired it. Mr Read, the Wesleyan clergyman from j Cromwell, is to administer the sacrament at Hawea at an early date.

Farmers' p lub.— The farmers in the Upper Clutha Valley have followed in the wake of their brethren in most other places and formed a club. Mr John Kane, of Grand View, convened a meeting to be held in the ante-room of the Hawea schoolhouse, and a large find enthusiastic gathering waß the result. Mr Kane was voted to the chair, and opened the meeting by detailing the advantages that would accrue to the farmers, who, he said, were unanimous in supporting the club, being fully alive to their own interests. Wheat-buyers »t Wakatipu were telegraphing to Hawea for prices. »nd tha club ought to be ablt» to quote. The petition for a new dray road through Thomson's Gorge from Bendigo to Blacks would have more weight if it emanated from a fanners' club. The price of erain would "be better regulated hereupon Mr Richard Norman remarked that the farmers were severely competing with each other, and reducing the prices to rates at which nothing could be made at it, and a club was very much desired. Mr William Kingan (Forks) said he disagreed with a club interfering with the price of grain, because a farmer might be forced to realise £60 or £7B and cell at any price. Otherwise he waaentirely in sympathy with the formation of a club, and would propose that all those present be formed into the Upper Clutha Valley Farmers' Club. This was seconded by Mr M. M'Lennan, Ben., and carried unanimously. During the discussion, it was mentioned that the price of grain and chaff was lower here than in any other part of the colony. Mr John Kane wa-s elected president, Mv John Fox vice-president, and Mr Urquhart secretary and treasurer. Mr Johu Henderson (Tarras) proposed that the price of wheat be 3s 3d delivered at the mill, or delivered its equivalent distance ; seconded by Mr Watkins,jun. Mr William Kinjan proposed that the prices be not interfered with, but the motion was carried by a large majority. Mr Kane proposed that Mr T. Anderson, the miller, be written to stating that Wakatipu wheat-buyers will shortly visit the district, and that the club had fixed the price at 3a 3d; seconded by Mr John Fox, and carried. Dating the discussion of this motion, it

was remarked that it was to be hoped the miller, Mr T. Anderson, would join the club, and the club was desirous of working amicably with him. Mr Kane proposed that the Farmers' Club at Waitahuna be written to asking for details of manajieme it, by-laws, &c.j seconded by Mr MRae, and carried. Mr M'Rae proposed that five members form a quorum ; seconded by Mr Henderaon (Tarrax), aud carried. Mr John Pox proposed that the next meeting be held on July 25 in the anteroom of the Hawea schoolhouse. It was decided that the membets fee bo 2s 6d, and that the remainder of the farmers be waited on with the view of inducing them to become members "of the club. It was decided to enrol the names of those present as forming the club— viz., Messrs John Kane (president), John Fox (vice-pr*slaent), D. Urquhart (secretary), D. M'Lean, R. Gray, T. F. Frewen, O. F. Watkins, sen., 0. P. Watkins, jun., John M'Rae, M» Curran, M. M'Lennan, sen., F. Urquhart, Wm. Barclay, John M'Carthy, P. M'intosh, Felix Fox. James Haugh,,C. G. Harvey, Wm. Kingan, M. Aluon, H. Barker, Roger Halliday, Richard Norman, and John Henderson. It j was then decided to add to ths list the following names of those who were unable to be present, but who desired to join the club and were in sympathy with it:- Me srs W. Ball, D. Munro, Thomas M'Whirter, and J. D. M'Lennan. The , usual vote of thanks terminated the meeting.