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Otago Witness, Issue 2412, 24 May 1900, Page 31

May 21. — The weather has been very broken lately, a lot of lain having' lalie.ii, o3 and on, for the last fortnight. The paddocks have been veiy wet in consequence^ and the roads a good deal up by the heavy traffic. The County Cc.ui'oil have not improved matters on the Waikaia main road by their action in laying a, top dressing of fine gravel over great parts of it. It is far too late in the season to gravel reads now, and in any case the thin coating of gravel -will not do any good. The ''old road has got so flat on the top now that water lies there, instead of running off, as it should 'do, and it is to be hoped that this matter will have attention early next season. The price of oats has come down very quickly, and those faimers who threshed early out of the stook have come off the best this yea: — i.e., 'so far as we have gone. Threshing is still going on all over the district, and will do so for some time to come. There does not appear to be so many mills In the district as hi former years. Belief of Mafcking. — We got the good news on Friday 'morning, and the early tram came in cheering with her whistlo ana exploding fog signals. Although the news was not official Ri\ ersdale (which is always loyal) determined to mark the day by demonstrations, and vhe programme was duly carried out. The school cenmittee promptly proceeded to the school and granted a holiday to the children. The children were drawn up in front of the school, and were briefly addressed by Messrs Sniaill (chaiirnan), W. A. Donald, J. Gee, D. M'lntyre, and C-. Cameron. Tlie children sang the National Anthem more than once, and at the close lollies were given to each child. It was a pity that the new school flag was not ready, as it would have looked well floating over the scene. But this will be rectified on the Queen's Birthday. A holiday has also been granted to the school on Monday, as the relief has now been announced officially. Happy school children! Who would not be at school again now? They have had so many holidays already, that I am afraid they will wish the war to go on indefinitely! No business was done in the township all that day — if we except the drinking of Lord Roberts' s and Baden-Powell's healths, once or twice — but that was done all over the Empire. The healths of the Queen and of Major Robin may also have been given by some loyal subjects, and duly honoured by other loyalists, and I even heard "' God save the Queen," " Soldiers of the Queen," " Red, White, and Blue," " Rule Britannia, ' and other popular songs, sung in a most lusty manner — sometimes two of them being sung at the same time, but that rather improved things. When it got dark bonfires wera lit, and small profi&?£iaag pmsessed through the gkeels. Al-

together, our boyst enjoyed them-ehes, an who would not on receipt of the glorious news ? it is a poor heart that never rejoices, raid ikes t are times when it is highly proper to do so. K"ow we are still gladder by having the nev.-s officially confirmed, but I don't thi k we shall keep Mpf eking Day a second time. Let us wait- for the fall of Pretoria, and then niaks things hum. The town will be bright vermilion the next morning!