LUMSDEN.

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

LUMSDEN.

May 21. — The weather, with the exception of the Transvaal war, is the main topic of the day. We are havii.g good open winter weather so far, but the large quantity of rain that we have had of late is greatly retarding threshing operations and grain carting; yet slock of ail kinds are faring very well, as we have had no snow, except on the high langes, so far this season. 1 Bunny. — Trapping is going on apace, but I an told by some of the men that the rabbits are not nearly so plentiful as is former trapping seasons, yet some are making very good cheques all the same. War Notes. — When the news came to us on Friday last of the relief of Mafeking, the whole of our townspeople almost went into hysterics with joy, and anything capable of making a noise was brought into play on that eventful day. Church, school, and hand bells, down tc the humble kerosene tin, were pounded to an alarming extent — in fact, it was said by some that so-and-sc was going off his "head, and otLers " off their panicans," etc. Mr Clark, our head teacher, gave the staff and pupils rv very acceptable half-holiday, and all the pupils, great and small, having formed themselves intoar> impromptu band, paraded the town for aboiyj two hours with banners flying, tins and bells, ringing, and both young and old hurrahing-Baden-Powell and his plucky band until al^ were quite hoarse. In the evening a few taii barrels were lighted at different parts ol tk-v

town, then all were rolled (burning furiously) *-n the Railway 1 Reserve in the main street, and i. c combined fiery barrels made a very iinpoh ng blaze indeed. Several patriotic songs and airs were indulged in, and cheer after cheer given for Baden-Powell and his gallant crew. The Rev. Mr Lymburn and Mr Clark gave short •speeches, which weie listened to with as much solemnity as if they liad been given in any of our places of worship, and all expressed thankfulness to God for the deliverance of our fellow men and wt3men from dishonour, death, and starvation. A verse of " God save the Queen " having been sung by all present, thits ended the most patriotic gathering ever witnessed in this district, and one .which will long be remembered.