WAIKOIKOI.

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 35

WAIKOIKOI.

December 3.-For the past 10 days the weather has been truly summer, with an occasional cold night, as if to show us that tho warm days are but heralds of the real summer which is yet to. come. Heavy winds have been of frequent occurrence, especially at night and early morning. Since writing the above we have had^a heavy hailstorm, w h)ch has done much damage to the fruit trees. The pieces of hail were qiute as large as ordinary marbles a, few pieces going even larger. Agricultural.— The good weather has enabled our farmers to push ahead with their work, and despite the bad spring the outlook from a, farmer's point of view is far from discouraging. Grass is in abundance, and consequently sheep and' cattle are in prime condition. The percentage of lambs has been very good in all parts of the district. The rise "in the price of wool has broxight a happy smile to the faces of those who have sheep. All things considered, this year promises to be a good one for the farmer, and indirectly all sorts and conditions of business people will benefit thereby. Though farmers are often looked upon by some townspeople as "only country iolk," yet they are without doubb the backbone of our country, and aoiy advantage accruing to thsm by a rise in prices brings wealth -> to the townspeople; so that what is advantageous to the country people must necessarily be advantageous to the town people, and vice versa. Then why the cry Town v. Country we often hear? Cricket. — The local club is in great form this season. They have played three matches — tftO vi& "JCaeaniii and •tme wifch Heriot,.— and

have proved victoriou in ail three. On Saturday, the 19th, a team journeys to Heriot to play the return match with that club, when a good, clay's outing is anticipated, for the Heriot Club is noted for the hospitality and gcodfellowship of its mernbeis, who always take a beating when they get one m the spirit that characterises true sports. A very friendly feeling has long existed between the members of the Heriot and Waikoikoi Clubs, and long may this feeling continue to exist. I was pleased when I read the fair and manly report which was sent to the Tapanui Courier by a Tapanui cricketer cf the last match the local club played with Tapanui en the Waikoikoi ground, and which was won by Waikoikoi. I ■mi sure there is not one oi our cricketers but felt pleasure when reading it. It is such reports that give us that spirit of fairness and manliness which should be strong points m all sport.

Concert. — The annual concert in aid of the funds of the local cricket club was held on Wednesday, 23rd ult. The evening was an ideal one, and the ihall was packed. Mr George Howat (deputy-captain) occupied the chaiT, and apologised for the unavoidable absence of ilr J. R. Mackenzie, thetr poular president, who all along has been most liberal m his support ot the club, in the substantial way of handsome donations. The programme provided was of the best, and the periormers who came from Mataura and Gore were nearly all new to a Waikoikoi audience. A special feature of the conceit was the singing of the Mataura Glee Club, consisting ot Miss C-ameion, and Messrs A,. MacG-ibbon, D. Steadnian, and W. Murdoch, whose efforts were hig'hiy appreciated by the audience. The following made up the programme : — Piano duets, by Misses Jtf. Mac Gibbon and Coull; songs — Miss Cameron, '•Cam' ye by Athoi" ana "Ola Madrid, and as encores, •"Honey, say that you'd be mine," and another; Miss Coul, "Under the old umbrella"; Mr A. Mac Gibbon, "Down the vale"; Mr W., Mu?Soch, "U'he village blacksmith" ; Mr Df Steadnian, "The friar of Orders Grey"; step-dances, Mr E. M'Kay; duets — "Army and navy,' Messrs MacGibbon and W. Murdoch; "Beauty's eyes," Miss Cameron and Mr Steadman; quartets — "Ye banks and braes o' bonny Doon" and "Sweet and low," the Mataura Glee Club. The comic element was well sustained by Messrs C. Evison and P. Eadie, who gave recitations, the former giving "How Pat Stole the Rope" and "Hooligan's Mare," and the later, "i Vash so Glad," "llie Game of Golf," and "Paddy's Opinion *of Football and Cricket, and by Mr V. Reid, who gave the character songs, "Shift „up a little bit further, ' "If the Missu&nvants to drown," and "Stare me in the face." At the conclusion of the concert the Chairman thanked all present for the pleasing and appreciative manner in which they had received -the several items rendered, and the performers for the splendid services they had rendered the club. Refreshments were handed round by the ladies of the district, who, is usual, spared no pains to provide an excellent repast. The hall was then cleared for dancing, the music for which was supplied by Mis Godby (piano) and Mr Jrs. Cooper (violin), while Mr H. Mackay acted as M.C.

School. — The annual examination was held on Thursday, Ist inst., and proved highly satisfactory, there being only one failure.