LAKE WANAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 25

LAKE WANAKA.

Albertown, May 3. — The weather has been very good since I last wrote — nice days and mild nights, with an occasional shower, which will make the grass grow an i help the stock through the winter. I should not be surprised if we had another mild, open winter, with another very dry summer. - Indications certainly point in that direction. Valedictory.— Mr Charles Turnbull, who has been managing partner of the Wanaka station for some years past, has left and gone to Dunedin. Before leaving he was entertained at a sumptuous banquet in Mrs Russell's hall. Owing to the high price the banquet committee put on the tickets the meeting was not very large. The banquet was got up in Mr Russell's best style. Owing to a temporary illness I was unable to attend, but I believe no end of complimentary speeches were made. Mv Turnbull has been a vers' good neighbour, being kind in cases of sickness and very generous to invalids and poor people, and he will be sorely missed. He was one of the mainstays of the cricket club, and frequently gave children's entertainments. Mrs Turnbull took a leading nart in connection with thrj Sunday school. Mr

George Miller, who was formerly head shepherd on the Wanaka station, is now the manager, oi which more anon. Bazaar —The Wesleyans at Hawea lately held 1 a very successful bazaar iv the selioolhouse in aid of the church funds. All the different centres iv the parish were represented, good pi ices were obtained for articles hold, aud a bubstantial sum ' was raised. I understand that with the expei ience now obtained they expect to double this sum at . their next bazaar. I Obituary. — I am sorry to record the death in ' the Arrow Hospital of Mr Thomas M. Mitchell, of a pulmonary complaint. Deceased had resided at j Garstou for some years, and was highly respected by everyone who knew him. Lattqr'y he acquired au interest in Wanaka West station, and moved there. Mr Mitchell was a_ noted athlete at ons time, and it was in connection with competing at ; the Hawea St. Patrick's Day sports that he overexerted himself and brought on his fatal illness. On the Move. — Mr John Fox, at Hawea, has bought a 250-acre farm near Tixnain, and will proceed thither at an early date. Doubtless he will hold a cleaving sale before leaving. The late Mr Felix Fox's farm has been sold to Mr John Kerin, of Cardrona, for This is. I helieve. 300 acres freehold and 200 acres of leasehold. Of the former, 100 acres is well fallowed aud ready for sowing wheat— in fact, Mr Kerin sowed it down with whevt at once. I hear that several i other farmers are desirous of selling out and going j down country j School Elections.— The school committee for this town is almost! the sanie as last year, the other • residents having signified their approval of the committee's actions in the past and declined election. The names are : Mefsrs John HulUday, R'chard Norman. Robert H. Normau, George Ballantyne, and William Howyohn. Mr N. L. Mackenzie from Roxburgh, is still in charge of the rchool, and he ba* fouud favour. At Pembroke the proceedings weresotne what unusual. A fair sprinkling of householders was present, but there were no ladies, as in f ormovyear3. Mr J. B. Ewing was voted to the chair. Mr Robert M'Dougall, as clerk of the school committee, read the last year's report, showing that matters were piogressing satisfictorily. Fourteen committee meetiiißs had been held, and on two occasions all the members were present. With reference to the balance sheet, he had neither the auditor's certificate nor the ' different receipted bills. These were iv the hands of the board's auditor in Inverciirgill Mr M'Doueall exolained that the form for the balance I bheet to bp made out on did not come to hand early enough to enable it to be ssnt to ! Inveyeaigill ifl ,time to be audited for Ihe annual election. Remarks by llr Monteith and 31r Allan elicited the statement that the pass book was not sent to the bank in time, and as the corre-sp-ndeace wa? always addressed to the chairman , sometimes Mr M'Dongall did not get it till some , days afterwards. However, the chairman (Mr Turnbull) left tbe district a few days before, and he went through all the papers and vouchers and , certified them as correct. Mr Mouteith objected to this balance sheet. According to the Education Act, which he quoted, the Auditor's certificate was necessary. Then this matter was put to the householders, who upheld Mr Monteith's contention. The nominations were then taken. Messrs J. B. Ewing, William Allan, and William Monteith were nominated, when Mr M'Dougall objected. He said that the latter name was before the committee before, but it was explained that Mr Monteith was not elected before. Mr M'Dougall said that it would be an illegal act to accept this name, and he would not countenance it. The chairman having decided that Mr Monj teith's uatne be accepted, Mr M'Dougall stated that hexiould not countenance an illegal act, and would vacate hh post. Mr Monteith forcibly aud vigorously objected, aud called on those present to be men and uphold him. Mr Richard Norman was called on and induced to act as clerk, and Mr Monteith's name was then taken down. Mr M'Dougall proposed as au amendment that this name be not accepted, but the amendment was lost. Mr Richard Norman and Captaiu Hedditch were then proposed, which made five members. Mr M'Dougall previously iaid that he had decided to stand out of it. Two other names were proposed, but they were not accepted, as the owners were absent and their consent had not been obtained, heveral of those present were proposed, but they all declined, and matters came to a standstill. Mr Norman gave his opinion that the board would accept the five members and add two more to it, or empower the committee to do so. Other opinions were expressed that it "was a quorum anyhow." Mr M'Dougall said that they were met to elect a committee and had failed, and he made -a motion accordingly, which was carried, and the meeting shortly afterwards dispersed. Mr J. B. Ewing wrote to the board stating that five members only could be got, and asked if they should stand as a committee, and if the board would appoint two others And so the matter stands at present. The old committee holds all the documents, minute book, &c, which I understand ib customary in such cases.