OTAKOU.

Otago Witness, Issue 2391, 28 December 1899, Page 29

OTAKOU.

December Q2. — We are experiencing very unusual weather for this time of the year, rain falling nearly every day. Although n good lot of grass is ready for cutting, the farmers are loth to start into it or account of the broken weather, preferring to let- it stand st while rather than have it lie and rot after being: cut. Yet with such a wet summer it does not seem to suit the turnips, as on all sides complaints are made of poor growth that in the majonfy "of casea tho ground has had lo be ploughed again and resown. Concert. — The annual concert given by the Otakou School children, under the management of Mr Hardy, the teacher, was held in the Otakou Hall on December 8. Mr Bishop, chairman of the school committee, occupied the chair. A very good programme was presented, consisting of songs, recitations, -dialogues, dumb - bell and club exercises, the concert concluding with a debate. Tho children acquitted themselves very '• well. The chairman requested tho audience to -efrain from asking for encores because of the lateness o£ the hour, and there was a dance to follow, but this appeal was not attended to. The concert was socially and'financially a thorough success; the financial' result 1 * being more than the committee anticipated. At the conclusion of the concert a vote oi ; thanks was accorded Mr and Mrs Masdy fov> the trouble they had taken in training the children for the concert, after which the hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept upS

till the early hours of the morning. The music was supplied by Mr W. Garrick, and Mr J. Weir carried out the duties of M.C. in a very satisfactory manner. Picnic. — The school picnic has become quite an institution, and is looked eagerly forward to; so when rain set in last Friday there were many anxious thoughts of the morrow and inquiries as to the state of the barometer. When the people gathered at Mr Bishop's house to prepare for the outing on the following day the rain was steadily falling. It was decided to ho.a-the picnic despite the unfavourable Dutlook, and Saturday turned out a typical picnic day. A good number assembled in Mr .Wilson's paddock, kindly lent for the occasion, and soon the children were enjoying themselves in running races, skipping, etc ; the young men and women amused themselves by playing games usual on such occasions; while on the higher ground the elder and more staid of the people sat in groups enjoying the scene. Dinner and tea -were served out in the Native Hall close by, full justice being done to the things provided. The committee had provided a etock of good books, and during the afternoon they were given out by the chairman, each child receiving one. The arrangements in connection, with the picnic were well carried out, and it proved a tho-i/ugh success. Recovery. — I am glad to be able to say that Mr .Bracks, who met with a painful accident resulting in a broken leg, is so far recovered as to be able to get about again. War Spirit. — We are all impregnated with tho war spirit just now, and as one of our young meu (Mr Henry Forsyth) is with tht contingent at the Ti'ansvaal, we take very great interest in the war news. Although we cannot all volunteer foi service even if we felt inclined, we can show our interest in the war and our appreciation of the brave work our boys are doing iv some practical wanner, and I hopa that a meeting will bo called and subscription lists sent round the district, as I am convinced an appeal for such a laudable object ■wou.d meet with a liberal response. I would suggest that an entertainment be given for the same purpose. If 'it is taken in hand properly 1 feel sure we will raise an amount that wih show we are in no wiso behind others' in wur royalty to the "Old Flag."