TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 25

TAPANUI.

June 7. — Sharp frosts at night-during the .past week have been followed by fine drydays, snd.the ', last .remnants of harvest will soon be secu.-ed. Advantage is beiug taken of every 'favourable ' hour, and the threshing mills are hard at 'work. , The first snowstorm df this winter fortunately was not prolonged, and those who are busy , ploughing" were not greatly hindered in . work. ; Political — Mr J. W. Thomson, member for Clutha,- opens a -series of 'presessional addresses.at . Tapanui on Saturday next, 11th inst., when -we shall no doubt be .enlightened on what is to 'be the i •prosrarame at the appioaching session. With so many rumours sfioat of an approaching general Blection, retirement ;of the Hod. Minister .for ' "Lands, an.d changes in the Cabinet, it .will be in- ', teresting to have some iighu thrown upon the . ■question from a politician's poitt:of view. AsJVIr 'Thomson .only speaks dn the pcinciple centres'he , will -no doubt have kigely-attended meetings. BAZAitit. — Imnderstand that uhsibazaar arid .sale of wort in «id of the Roman Catholic -Church •fund recently held resulted in a return .of £30. ' This must have been 'highly satisfactory to the . .promoters, and as the expenses would 'be "nominal, tw'ill-forin a substantial fund as a 'beginning. The , managfemeat are to be congratulated on .their ( >succe3E. x 'i

Winter A musements —The prevailing topic locally is form 'of amusement for 'the winter . eveniags. iA. meeting called to form a literary . class was not largely attended, but I am informed , it .is the intention to .take up Shakespeare's plays , in the meantime, under the conductorship <of JVIt , J. K. Menzies. There is also a .possibility of a St. \ John's ambulance class ibeing formed. For/lighter , amusement the Quadrille .Assenibly 'is already j conducing weekly idances, 'and " trippi»g_ the light ; fantastic toe" does not -appear ±o lose >its icharm j for-yottng people in fthe .rural districts. .GYMNASIUM —Some few ydars.ago a gymnasium was considei'ed necessary/and a sufficient number .proviaecl the cash to ibuy -a plant. -I notice, how- j ever, (that after a couple -of .poorly-attended , ■sessions the movement is dead, and this winter . it .has not re-opened. There laic numerous young j men ;and lads who would be benefited by the ' training irecei^ed in ajgymnasium, but.-appareatly . they have no time for physical exertion after the j day's work is done. Street Lights g —For the .past decade our city " fathers have "been discussing and duly shelving the qxießtion of street lighting, and it looks as though they will continue that process for .the , .next half century. Half a dozen lanterns with candles would be .preferable to the»utter<darkaess ' of the streets duringlong winter nights.