TOTARA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 39

TOTARA.

June 24.— The weather has been quite seasonable since my last — sharp frosts at night, followed by glorious warm days. However, a heavy drizzle set in last evening, which has culminated to-day in a down-pour of lain. It 14 still raining, and there is no sign of it cleariiiz. Being now past the shortest day, it will riot take ro long for the terrible mud to disr.ppear, and one and all of us will welcome oncn more the delightful days of spring. We have had no s"ow as yet, but there is plenty to bo seen on the Kakanui and other mountains m. the distance.

Farm Work. — Considering the time we losj with the late harvest, we are now fairly well forward With our work. A considerable acreage has bsen ploughed, whilst a good area has* Lccn sown in wheat. Potato-lifting is all buu completed, but the returns from, this quarter will tins year be much smaller than was anticipated, owing to a large quantity having rotted with the harvest flood. Turnips and. mangoU have alao rotted in places, and this has left some of us short of winter feed for our cattle.

D? trying.— Our creamery is now open feu • days per week, owing to the limited supply, and also tho weather conditions permitting of holding over milk for tno d.'ys. I leans that a few new suppliers have started lately, with more to follow. By the way, it is stated that the return of or.o of our suppliers for tie mojth cjf May stood i^t. the respectable b\iw of 3ns txl ptr cow— more profitable and less ri-'ky than tither pram or wool seems to ba xhe opinion prami:'^ ground here. Of coursa we have to put up with a lot of slush and muil in winter, but to counterbalance that we gei our money every month.

Social. — On Thursday evening, the 19th, ono of the largest and most enjoyable social 3 that have ever taken place in this district was held; as a fitting farewell to the Misses Mackenzie, who are leaving. here. For six years Miss M. Mackenzie, has most successfully fulfilled tha duties of schoolmistress here, whilst in conjunction with her sister, Miss Christina, sha has ever been, to the front in helping on every good work, especially so in connection v>:tii Church and Sunday school. To those two ladies belongs the honour of having by their work, advice, etc., been instrumental in tho erection of the Presbyterian Church here. Mips M. Mackenzie was presented with a lovely lady's companion bag (silver-mounted), whilo her sister received a handsomely-bound album. Jir Gallaeher made the presentations, and due»

Ing Eis speech made jnost complimentary remarks of the recipients. Messrs Matches and Lindsay, on behalf of the church managers, also testified to the good woTk done by the recipients, and joined in the general expression of regret at their approaching departure. At the hands of the school children Miss Mackenzie also received a beautiful gold bracelet, and the sotara Ladies' Guild also gave her a hand-nomely-bound Bible. Some selections by Piper Monerieff on. the bagpipes were much appreciated. During the evening quite a long programme of songs, readings, recitations, etc., was rendered, and thereafter a most uoeral jnipply of refreshments was handed round, and pf course the inevitable dance followed, lasting well on into the "sma f oors." It only remains for me now to wish our friends good luck at Anderson's Bay, where Miss Mackenzie as schoolmistress. Our great loss is the gain of her new school, and) seeing that it spells promotion for our late teacher, this in a sense lessens our sincere regret at losing one who has proved to bo a good teacher and a most useful resident in this place. Peace Celebrations. — In common with other centres we duly observed the declaration of peace. The school children wero granted a holiday, the school flag -was hoisted by the headmaster (Mr Fleming), and the National ftjithem sung. The sounding of the creamery whistle loud and long soon spread the good jiews, and almost all and sundry knocked off work and made for Oamaru, there to join in the general rejoicing.