TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 29

TAPANUI.

July 25. — Our district is at present bearing a white mantle of snow, and the past few week? have been marked by extreme wintry weather. Friday last saw about 3in of snow on the ground, but a rapid thaw during the day converted most of the snow into slush. In the evening frost set in, and on Saturday the ground was hard and dangerous to traffic. In the early part of Saturday night the frost was again keen, but more snow followed, and on Monday morning a good 12in covered the ground. On the high ranges the depth must be much greater. Townspeople on Monday had to don gum-boots or leggings, and clearing footpaths and doorways afforded healthy exorcise. The thaw during the day was very slight, and with frost again at night it will be some days before the land is fit for working. Farmers have necessarily to confine their attention to stock tending. The present fall will retard winter work, and without a spell of good weather landowners will be slightly behindhand. The continued snow and frost will prove hard on stock, and sheep on mountain runs must suffer. The unequal distribution of weather " supplies " is somewhat emphasised when one reads of the excursion steamer Waikare carrying on board 10 tons of ice to supply cool refreshments for the excursionists. Social. — Despite the snow and cold there was a large attendance at the social conducted by the members of the Presbyterian Church Christian Endeavour Society on Friday evening last. A bountiful supply of edibles and a good musical programme furnished a pleasant evening for those present, and the management was all that could be desired The Endeavour socials are becoming popular both with members and non-members gf the society. Ambulance. — The first lecture given by Dr de Lautour was fairly well attended, but it was expected that such a useful object would have attracted a greater number of pupils. However, when the first batch convince their friends of the benefits of instruction in first aid, subsequent classes will be sure to be better attended, and the weather has not been very favourable for venturing out of doors. The meetings are held in the schoolhouse. Day School. — During the last few days the attendance has been very small, and the school would be better closed than a few pupils struggling through a foot of snow and being confined indoors with, cold feet and numbed fingers. State Nursery. — Mr Matthews, State forester, was in Tapanui last week. The coming spring is to be a busy time at the nursery, and there is a great amount of work to get through. I hear that there is a probability of the present enclosure being increased in size, as the area has already proved too small. Football. — The local club continues active. A win was scored against Heriot last week by 11 points to nil. Matches with Clinton, and Gore are also to be played, so that spectators have some amusement still in store. A sense-

less joke was perpetrated the other day by" someone posting a team of old identities and' maimed residents jn a prominent place. Grava offenco was given to a few respected townspeople, and the perpetrator of the supposed joke would not have fared well if he had been discovered. Though no offence was probably meant, the action was in very bad taste. Court. — We had Mr Stratford, S.M., occitpied at the local court for the greater part of three days last week. On Monday -he was engaged in the case Anderson v. Key, a claim for about £100, said to have been received by defendant for services of a trotting stallion King Harold, and not accounted for to plaintiff, who was absent, from the colony at the time. Mr Hanlon (Dunedin) was to havb appeared for plaintiff, but m his absence in Wellington on the marine scandal the case was entrusted to Mr Calvert. Mr Inder (retained for the defence) also failed to appear, as he was engaged at Invercargill. Mr Sinclair received short notice to defend the action. Over 20 witnesses, some coming from as far as Tokarahi, were in attendance. An adjournment was asked for on defendant's behalf, but after hearing particulars Mr Stratford emphatically declined, and roundly rated the defence for attempting to abuse the privileges of the court. He said the action was ona he would on no account tolerate, and ruled that the case must proceed. The witnesses were all examined, and in nearly all cases produced'receipts for the amounts involved, either at the hand of defendant or hi 3 solicitor. The case occupied the court about six hours, and at ita conclusion the adjournment was again asked' for. Seeing that all the witnesses had been • released, his Worship was inclined to look' favourably upon the application, and after complimenting Mr Sinclair on the manner in which he had handled his case at such limited notice, , hejgranted an adjournment until the August sit ting.— Tuesday afternoon was occupied by minoz • business, and in the evening a neighbours" • quarrel wa9 ventilated — T. Kirk v. W. Dawson. This wac an action for damages for illegally cutting a ditch on defendant's bush seotion.-and thereby allowing water to flood the land. Legal argument occupied considerable time, and a lot of evidence was taken. Judgment was given for defendant, and notice of appeal was lodged. The magistrate made a personal inspection of the land before the case started.— On Wednesday morning the appeal was formally lodged, and the court adjourned. Mr Stratford is particular in his conduct of court business, and the legal representatives were occasionally put through their, facings, with the result that they soon refrained from taking any liberties, or addressing the. court out of turn. Dredging. — A prospecting dredge is being brought from Miller's Flat for a claim near Kelso, and further river claims are being pegged cut under the " timber yard regulations.", Fortunately for miners in this part birch can be procured locally at about 7b 6d per lOOffc, and the supply is more than sufficient to peg out all the claims likely to be applied for. it is to be hoped the party taking the present practical step of procuring a prospecting dredge will be rewarded for their enterprise. New Justices. — Messrs J. T. Burroll, R. A. Rodger, and Charles Todd have been duly dworn in. as justices of the peace, and are at fche service of the general public. J.P. Court. — A 'Case of trespass, Quin against Lischner, was heard at Tapanui on Saturday; morning before the mayor and Mr C. Todd. Plaintiff claimed compensation for trespass and damage to his garden by defendant's cow, and was awarded £2 and costs. Literary Class. — The subject for debate ail ■ the Literary Class on Friday night will ba. " Freetrade versus Protection." This wellworn topic should afford scope for the rising , orators.