WAIKAKA VALLEY.

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

WAIKAKA VALLEY.

■December 27.— The weather at present appears to consist mostly of samples, but as regaids wind we have had an ample share of la.t«*. There is every prospect of our having a dry beason, and if such is to be our fate tho mcst of the crops in this district will be short, and wheu there is a deficiency in the straw it is generally accompanied by a notable decieas.e in the bulk of grain. The turnip crop appears to be meeting with hard luck this season. la some cases the small birds have been very severe on it ; while in others the rain that fell on the notorious Gore Show day, after the late hot, windy weather, left the ground so caked on the top that a gieat number of the young turnips never reached day light. There are a few patches of turnips yet to sow. Owing to the late wet season, the potato crop, especially on the low ground, wil be ve 1 y poor this year. A few patches have rotted out altogether. School Picnic— The annual school picnic was held on December 24. At midday the children w>-re feasted on tea and cakes in the school, after which au adjournment was made to an adjoining paddock, kindly lent for tho purpose by Mr Waddell, of Roughcrnitr. The subscription list, which had been previously circulated among the parents of the school children, supplied ample funds to furnish substantial priz's for all kinds of gjme»j which were then indulged in. The teac' er. Mis-) Cummiug, trgether with the committee, worked hard to make the "gathcrir g on the green " the success that it Vas. There was a large attendance of adults, and, of course, the "Jocks and Jennies " had a busy time of it with "twos and threes" and rounders. Towards evenins tea was provided in the school, where there was a large assortment of good thing-i supplied by the ladies of the district. After lollies bad been distributed amongst the children Mr Waddell, the chairmau of the school committee, addiessed the company, and Bta'ed that Fchool matters were progrepsing very favouiably in the district. 'Iheir teacher. Miss Gumming, had this year secured the highest possible percentage of passes,, not one piipil having failed. At former school picnics it was a usual thing to give th«ee cheers for the teacher, but on tin's occasion, owing to the position she had placed their school in, hefelt it his duly ti call for t>ix cheers. After the chairman's lequcit had been heaitily re-ponded to, tho Key. Mr Miller rose to compliment the committee on the way they had worked together for the Miccesa of the picnic The secretaiy, Mr P. T. Aitken, said, iv response, that he haa been pleased to notice the interest taken in school matters by the committee. They had always a good attendance at their meetings, and all the members worked amicably together for the educational advancement of the district. Service of Song.— On the evening of December 24 the service of song entitled " Father, Come Home," was given iti the church for the purpose of raiting funds to pay off a small debt still standing ou the church organ. The Rev. George Miller occupied the chair, aud gave the connective readings. The choir was conducted by Mr W. Johnetnn, and Miss Cumming acted as organist. Considering the short time the piece has been in practice, it was p»j formed very creditably indeed. At its eoncluhion Mr AVaddell proposed a vote of thanks to the choir, after which the meeting clostd with the benediction.