GLENAVY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2652, 11 January 1905, Page 35

GLENAVY.

January 7. — The weather during the New Year holidays was exceedingly rough ' and wintry, a strong biting -wind from the south making things the reverse of pleasant. Now that we are fairly over the holidays, iio doubt we shall get some fine weather to hasten the ripening of the crops, which will act as a slight compensation for the rude time experienced at New Year. Fatal Accident. — Patrick Burke (23), of Morven, was instantly killed on January 3' while proceeding from Timaru to Morven by tlie afternoon express. Tho body, which vfas much mutilated, was picked up by the tollowing train. Deceased was a bright young fellow, and thought highly of by a large circle of friends. The greatest sympathy is felt and expressed for his widowed mother and the family, in their sad and sudden bereavement. The funeral took place at Waimate last Thursday,»a requiem mass being celebrated in the Waihao R. C. chapel en route. A great procession of traps and equestrians followed the remains to the cemetery. Obituary. — Yet another Morvenite has "passed beyond these voices" in the person of Mr John Sands, who in the Waimate Hospital last Saturday morning after some two weeks' illness. Poor Jack was a genial, funloving soul, and his friend's deeply deplore his xmtimely end, which has occurred at the age of 45. Accident. — Mrs Maurice Leonard, sen., of Glenavy, met with a painful accident while returning from the late P. Burkes tuneral last Thursday. Mr and Mrs Leonard were driving in a spring cart, and' when crossing the bed of the Waihao River, the horse stumbled and fell, and his subsequent- plunging threw Mrs Leonard out of the, vehicle. T-he force "with which Mrs Leonard fell resulted in a compound fracture . of 'the right arm below the elbow. * The sufferer was at once driven back to Waimate for medioal attention, and I hear that she is progressing as well as -can be expeated. Social. — Mr George Duke, of Waikakahi, near Morven, gave an enjoyable social dance on the Tuesday before Cuiristmas in celebration of the opening of his new granary, shearing shed, etc. The granary was profusely decorated with grf-enery, ti-tree bloom and suchlike, and presented a striking and effective appearance. Good music was provided by Messrs, M'Aleer, Hendy, Wells, and M'Leish, and iihe flooi being in excellent condition, nothing was wanting to make those who responded to the invitations enjoy themselves thoroughly. Mr W. Seaman made an excellent M.C., while Mr and Mrs and Miss Duke proved tiiems-elves ideal host and hostesses. The evening passed all too soon, and about 3 a.m., when the last Glance was called, genuine regret was expressed. During the evening Mrs P. Henderson sang a couple of solos very sweetly, coming in for applause and encores ; Mr J. O Jiara. proved an able exponent of the mysteries of the Irish iig; while Mr John Morris, a Morven veteran, delighted the assembly by his comic songs. Just before the last dance, Mr M'Aleer, in -proposing a vote of thanks to "our ho=t Imd hostesses," said that he had enjoyed himself thoroushly, and he knew that everyone else had. He hoped that Mr Duke would repeat the experiment at an early date. — (Applause). Mr Duke, in reply, thanked' Mr M'Aleer for his flattering remarks. He was pleased that his guests had enjoyed themselves so well. Concluding, Mr Duke eulogised the builder (Mr Peebles), who had fulfilled Mb contract to his (Mr Dnke's) entire satisfaction. The singing of "He's a 'jolly good fellow," in compliment to our entertainers, and "Auld lang syne," to a finish one of tae brightest and jolliest little outings we have had here for some time. First Footing. — 1905 was ushered in at Glenavy by a contingent of yottng fellows who made a house-to-house visitation in good old "first-foot" style, and wished those whom they visdted any number of bright and happy New Years. The "descent" on your scribe's slum-

bers was made about 3 a.m., when dreamland's pictures were suddenly dispelled by sundry strains of song having reference to "New Year's morn." Said scribe having donned some clothing, went out, and compliments, etc., were the order of the day. Our boys continued their peregrinations till Old Sol took possession of the eastern horizon, when they departed for their several homes to enjoy a few hours' sleep. Suspicious Fire. — Detective Fitzgerald was in Morven last Friday making inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the mysterious burning of a threshing mill some two weeks ago, the property of Mr Cluff. Nothing definite is known at present, although foul play is suspected.