OTAMA..

Otago Witness, Issue 2319, 11 August 1898, Page 29

OTAMA..

August 1. — Wo have had a week's pretty exiff frost, and those farmers who have looked after and saved their straw are to be congratulated, as in this sort of weather it is very desirable that cattle and sheep should be given straw along with their turnips. Ploughing 19 bfciug prosecuted with all despatch, and thero is a. good large area going in crop next year. Entertainment. — The Debating Society held their musical evening in the Otama Hall. There was about the usual attendance. Readings wore given by Messrs Dickson, Dodds, and T. Logan; songs by Messrs D. and J, Millar and A. Beath; and pianoforte solos by Mrs Regan and Miss Stewart. A few dances vere indulged in, and as it wa3 a cold, frosty night, these were thoroughly enjoyed by the participants. f A Legal Question. — The chief topic of conversation when our local worthies meet toglher is wether the O'Hara3 have a right to shut up a water lace v/hich was on their property when they bought it, or if they can be forced to open it again, as the residents below them on the flat think that it damages their property by being shut up. It would furnish very good matter for the Debating Society, as people here seem to have very hazy ideas of what constitutes law in water rights. Church Matters.— A congregatioiial meeting was held in the church here on Thursday evening, but there were not a great many present. The object of the meeting was to arrange for the services of an organist. As none of the objectors came forward to urge their complaints, the meeting resolved to return to their old love, and decided that Miss Stewurt sbould be asked to tak*j the position of organist.

Concert. — The Otama Hall Committee were again unfortunate in having a bad night for their concert, but as the rain had not begun m real earnest before the concert was begun, there was a very fair attendance. Mr T. Logan acted as chairman and asked Mrs Regan to play the overture. This she did in her usual finished style. Mr Taylor sang " The Young Brigade" capitally, Miss Archibald " The auld hoose," Mr G. Hunter gave a viohu solo, Miss Forbes sang " Jessie, the flower o' Di.mblanc," Mr M'Eachern " My Polly," Miss Stewart " Brarbury Tcwn," Misses Archibald I'iabelli's duet in D, Miss K. Hunter gave a recitation, Mrs Neave sang " The blind girl to her harp," Mr T. E. Carroll "Still his whiskers grew," Mr J. Hunter gave a recitation, Mr M'Eachern pang " Dublin Bay," Miss Forbes " The flowers of the forest," Mr Carroll " Ennis worthy," Mrs Neave " Scenes that are brightest," Mr Cookson " Come into the garden, Maud," £.nd Mr Miller brought the programme to a close with " Sammy, my old friend Sam." Encores were the order of the evening. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Stewart, Mrs Regan, Miss Hoffman, Miss Stewart, and Mr Buchanan. The hall being cleared, dancing was indulged in, the music being supplied by the Hunters. Abundance of refreshments were provided, but the hall was rather crowded for comfoit.

The WcTtlier.— Mr Wragge's loredicted aritDixtic distui^xices came here up to date. On Saturday we had a fairish snow storm, clear, ing up to frost; on Sunday more snow showers, accompanied by a biting cold wind. The American's description of the weather suits here admirably : "' First it snew, then it blew, then it friz horrid."