DIPTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2287, 30 December 1897, Page 25

DIPTON.

December. 27.— There has been a great im"pTOvement in thi weather of late. 'Hitherto we have been complaining of the incessaut rain ; soon we will be lifting up our voices against the drought. To-day is rather unsettled, aud will go a long way towards marring the sports held in "Winton aud surrounding districts. M r e have no attraction iv the shape of sports to-day. On Chiistmas Day the Caroline cricketers played a team from here, aud the Diptqn folk made it the occasion of a picnic to Caroline. Three or four buggies and two dray loads of pleasure seekers went up, besides about a dozen on horseback, and Caroline Valley presented quite an animated appearance that day. Of course the cricket match was the centre of attraction, and great interest was shown in it throughout, although the game was a rather Blow one. Caroline won the toss and elected to field, the Dipton boys tsking the •willow. It seemed as though it was going to be a soft thing for Caroline, as two of the best bats ■were put out with the first three balls, owing, bo doubt, to the bumpy wicket Those who followed were more successful, ami one way and another managed to put up a spore of 73 for the first inning?. Caroline in their firat innings_ were les3 successful, being all out for 25 An adjournment ■was then made for lunch, after which the Caroline ■boy 3 followed on, and though th*y played veiy .carefully and defended their wickets well it only 'protracted the .>gony, and they were eventually .put out for 36— a total of 61, leaving the ,Diptonians the victors by an innings and ,12 runs. Hearty cheers were given for both sides, 'and the greatest of harmony prevailed throughout. The game lasted a little over four -hours. Messrs Ganes and T. Tregonning were conspicuous on the Caroline side, whilst Messrs ■Thompson and Whelan proved the mainstay for Dipton. The umpires, Messrs Cunningham for Caroline and Gray for Dipton, gave universal satisfaction. A return match is looked for soon.

New Yfar Amusements — The annual juvenile sports, which have been in existence here for the past 18 years, will be held this year on the Domain ground on New Year's Day. The different committees picked out for the occasion are displajing much activity, and the affair, which is very popular, promises to be as great a success aa ever. — There was some talk of a minstrel entertainment followed by a dance on New Y<-ar's Kve, but through some miscarriage of correspondence the thing has fallen through for the present. Ifc was to be in aid of a lawn tennis club, and will likely be revived at a later date.

Anglino.— Our river has been in grod fishing order of late, though rather low. Many good baskets are being made, and the t>lac<s is becoming quite a retort for tourists. Mine host of the Railvyay Hotel h*s ha-i to have extra rooms added to his already commodious premises, and his house is at present well filUd up.

Agricultural —Grass is beginning to have a burnt-up look about it, although the milk supply is steadily increasing, and the curing room of the factory would have been taxed to hold the output had the directors gone on the same lines they did la»t year ; but luckily they got a good off.-r for all they had ready for present shipment, which they accepted.