LUMSBEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 39

LUMSBEN.

3«las:cli 6. — Aftar a spall of very dry and hot -weather, a change has set in, some heavy sliowers falling during the past few days. T-his is doing a great deal of good to the pastures and turnip fields, and is also replenishing the house tanks, which hn-ve been quite empty for some time past. The housewives are all smiling and looking happy on that score.

Harvesting. — Cutting 13 now pretty general throughout the district, and I regret to learn that the crops so far are nothing like so good as we could wish them to bs. The stra-w is short and the grain is light ; but? given favourable weather for the garnering, it is to be hoped that the returns may not be far behind those of former seasons.

Entertainment. — The Black Family of musicians paid us a visit recently, and they had the pleasure and honour of having a bumper house to face. . It was universally voted the beat entertainment of the kind yet heard in Lumsden. Each member of the company performed his or her part to perfection. The variety and novelty of the programme (staged in two parts) were great 'y enjoyefl and highly appreciated by those present. There was nothing of an objectionable nature in it from bseinning to end of ihe two hours' entertainment.

Oddrellowa. — The fortnightly meeting of the lodge was held at the rooms on Wednesday evening, Ist inst., a. goodly nxrmber of nieinbs~s being present. The annual report and balance sheet were adopted. The figures fJjow that the lodge has passed through, a year of soniev/hat slight adversities. A very large amount of sickness was recorded among "tiip members during the year; consequently there was a heavy drain on th-e sick fund of the lodge, the amount paid ont bordering on £200. The Lumsden Lodge, I learn on good authority, has paid oub to its members during the Tjast yeaa- in benefits and relief votes double the amount of any other country lodge in the Southland district, and the good thus derived is no doubt .much appreciated by the recipients and the community at large. The delegates appointed to represent the lodge at the annual meeting a-fc Invercargill on the 'Bth inst. are P.G.s Bros. H. J. Riddell and D. Fraser, and N.G. Bro. Joseph Payne.

Outdoor Amusements. — Tennis seeing to have taken quits a hold o* the young folk of our town. It is one of the most popular games of our outdoor amusements. A tournament was held among the members of the club during the past fortnight, affording much enjoyment and pleasure lo the contestant?. Keen competition is now going on -for the final honours, the result of which, -will be noted in a future letter.

Cricket. — The local club journeyed to Centre Bush on Wednesday, Ist inst., to play a friendly game with the club there. The match was a very close one, our boy? winning by 2 runs (with a third well-earned run .0 catch their train for home). The return match -will be played at Lu^isden some time before the end of the season.

Sports at Dunedin. — Many of the resident* throughout the district are anxious to know if the Railway Department intends issuing ciean fares to Dunedin on the occasion of the visit of the world's crack runners, Shrubb and Duffcy. Concessions in fares on similar lines to these errant ed on the occasion of the English, footballers wou'd no doubt be much appreciated, and * would ensure the railway being largely patronised.