RIVERS DALE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2426, 12 September 1900, Page 33

RIVERS DALE.

September 10. — The weather still remains glorious — fine days and frosty nights, with alniosi, a total absence of lain. In fact, uwe do not get some rain soon there will be a watei famine with those who depend on their xoof water. The -whole district, indeed, would benefit now by. a day's rain, as ploughed land and the paddocks are very dry. The farmers have had a splendid chance of sowing thengrain, and surely such a season was 'never known in Southland before. We seem to have been specially favoured, as I notice' they have had plenty of rain, and bad weather, too, in other parts of the country.

Breach of Promise Case. — This mock trial by jury was given last Monday in the Drill Hall "by the members oi our Debating Society, when fully 150 persons must have been present. The trial was well managed, and seemed to please the audience greatly. This Debating Society is something quite new in Riversdale, and I hope it will continue, as ihere is always a great want of something to do of an evening in a small township. In this trial, Mr J. Smaill was the judge. The plaintiff was Miss Smaill (Miss Leffler, the original plaintiff, bemg I'nfortunately ill), and the wicked defendant ■was Mr Wakeling. The barristers were Messrs Lennon and Bayliss, both of whom seemed to the manner born ; clerk of the court, Mr A. 'Wallace; ushei, Mr J. Frew; policeman, Mr Eeid; witnesses— Misses M'Kay and Smaill, and Messrs J. Heenan, J. Fr-ew, J. Black, and Master Smaill; while the jury was composed •of the following good men and tiue: — Messrs Koss (foreman)', Carnmock, Wallace, Burrows, •Collins, andQualter. I hope we shall soon' see another performance by the members of the "■society, and if they go on as they are doing the name will have to be changed to the " Riversdale Debating and Dramatic Society." Ladies' Guild. — Thus society, after having teen in abeyance for a short time, was restarted on Thursday last, when there was only a small attendance in the room at the Drill Hall, where future meetings are to be held. The fibject of their labotjis has not xet been, '

fixed, but no doubt it will be a gooj om. Mrs Donald was elected as president, and Miss •]. Wallace as secretary.

Sickness — A good deal of sickness is prevalent it) the district at present. Bad colds, iore thioats, and other ailments aie pretty common, and I cannot help thinking that too long a spell of fine weather is not always healthy. J\o doubt some of our gentle spring breezes will soon arrive to blow the microbes away.