RIVERSDALE

Otago Witness, Issue 2288, 6 January 1898, Page 25

RIVERSDALE

January 3. — Well, our holidays are over now, and we hive had a fine time, and the weather has been nnst piopitioua. It has been intensely hot, so that the faimers will soon be crying out for rain, both for the O-its and the tuinip'. Fome of the early-sown oats are in ear, but the straw is far too short, and it would have been better if they had not sbot-s-) soon.

Amusemenis. — Since I last wrote we have had I>lerty of th^&e. The Waimea Hack' Race meeting duly rame off, aud was a great success. There were large .entries foi- every event, and the Xuanag^ment must be heartily congratulated on the of their arrangements. The first tace' started three quarters of an hour late, but the last race was run off in time, which is nbputa Irecord. Altogether a good day'ssport was provided. ~- Thfe Christmas tre-s rame Lext, and was largely attended as usual, and the children" enjo}'ed them-selvt-s as only they can. There was a suspicion of rowdyism in the hall, which is dtc'dedly obj-cliouable, and anyone who ventures on the Eauie line in future will find he has sttuok a snag. The comnii'tee cannot be expected to act as "chuckera out," but the "gentlemen. in blue " can act the part perfectly ; so let the larrikins loJc out.— Finally, on New Year's Day the annual picnic came off in Donald Park. This iixtuie seenn to grow lnoie and more into favour, and th*re must have Leen nearly'69o present List Saturday. It is not the same nowadays as when the Waimea picn'c was the only one between Gore and Lutnsden and about l€oo people turned up. Now every school district has its own picnic, but still the ol i Plains picnic holds its own. The same well known laces were well to the fore pgain, and Messrs lionald, Smaill, Wallace and Hume were tbo right men in the right pl»ce, whil-j ill* Hollin&worth was the same eneigetic secretary as befoie. The children had a right royal time, and all departed home in good humour.

Voltjnteebs — Our loral men $;o into camp on the lOfch inst fora week'b training. G- - eat( comjplaiirfs are betng made about the ammunition beisg supplied at present, which is of a shocking character. Goodness knows what our boys wou'd do if the leal business was on.