WYNDRAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2488, 20 November 1901, Page 31

WYNDRAM.

November 16. — This was a beautiful daj, the forerunner, I hope, of many more, if we are te have any crops this season. Since last I wrote, we have had_ fearful weather for this time of the year — bitterly cold, wet days, and occasionally shower's of 'hail,' and, in common with' most of Southland, we have h*d our share xti wind. TKe excessive colS is seriously .affecting svll pasture; in fact r there is not as mnch feed now as there was three weeks ago. Those farmßr& whose winter feed ran out early are having a hard time in tryfiig to keep thenstock in anything like condition until the graßS comes away. Especially is this the case with dairy farmers. Bazaar. — The annual bazaar in aid of the funds of St. Mary's Anglican Church waa held in the Zealandia Hall on Tuesday and "Wednesday last. There was a good attendance of the public both days, whe spent their money freely, and this, of course, was the principal thing. The ladies of St. Mary' 3 Guild are to be complimented on the amount of work, both plain and fancy, they have managed to get through and turn out for the bazaar The funds ot the church should benefit to a good amount.

Athletic Club.— The "Wyndham Athletic Club held their annual sports on Monday, 11th inst. There was a good attendance of the public, and the sports were voted a success all round. The entries were good, as many as 15 competitors contesting some of the events. The "Wyndham Brass Band played on the grounds during the afternoon, and added greatly to the enjoyment of the spectators.

Social. — A very enjoyable social was held iv the Zealandia, Hall on Friday evening to welcome back Corporal J. Gibb, one of the local representatives in the fourth contingent. Corporal Gibb, who was very ill in South Africa with dysentery, was invalided Home to. the okl country, where he spent some months. He has only recently returned to the colony, quite restored in health-. There were over 200 people at the social, which was presided over by Mr G. G. Fife (chairman of Wyndham Town Bosurd). During the evening Corporal Gibb was presented with a gold Maltese cross suihtbiy inscribed, by the residents of "Wyndham. At the close of -the social a dance was held, which was also well attended.

Murihiku Mounted Rifleß. — The Murihiku Mounted Rifles,, under Captain M'Nab and Lieutenants "Wilson, Holms, and Dunlop, went into camp on Saturday afternoon on the local recreation reserve for their annual week's encampment. Staff Sergeant-major Cardale and Lieutenant-instructor Browne were in attendance. "With the exception of the fii-st day in camp, it was wet and bitterly cold all +he week, and the camping ground became so wet -nnd sloppy that it was found necessary to mov'cs to more congenial quarters. The men were billeted in the railway goods shed, while the horses were stabled in the local livery stables. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather the corps went through a considerable amount of drill, and the men have greatly benefited by the instruction given. Colonel Robin visited the camp on Wednesday, and delivered an instructive lecture to the men in the railway goods shed the same evening. The following morning the corps paraded in Balaclava street for inspection by "the colonel. He expressed himself as highly pleased with the progress the men have made during the short time the corps has been in existence, and also complimented them upon their equipments, and the smart appearance of their new uniforms.

Military Sports. — Military sports were held to-day before the break-up of the camp. The troopers acquitted themselves very well indeed, but the enjoyment was greatly marred by an accident which occurred to one of the troopers early in the day.

Accident. — Trooper R. Bcange, along with the other members of kis section, was doing a. preliminary before one of the events in the militaiy .sports, -when he met with n, serious acc-iuent. They were all going-over the hurdle together, when Trooper Beange and his horse were both seeu to go down, and when picked up he was quite unconscious. It is thought "that his rifle, which wa3 slung on his back, must have struck him on the back of the head. He lies in a very precarious condition at the residence of Mr Paull, whore he was taken during the afternoon. He was attended by Drs M'Cara and Rogers, but had not recovered consciousness at time of writing. However, it is sinrerels hoped tliat the joung man, who is »

general favourite throughout the district, v.-il! soon take a turn for the better, and \>s shortly restored to his family, for whom great sympathy is felt.