WAREPA

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 34

WAREPA

April 17. — After a week of fine autumn weather there has bsen a decided change for tha last week or so. the weather being rough and: stormy, with an extremely high south-west wind blowing the greater part of the timeLast Monday, April 10, heavy rain fell, but with such a strong wind in a, iew hours everything was dried up agadn, and the same thing; happened on Saturday last. Throughout tha night and well on to Sunday morning the rain descended in torrents, but by Sunday afternoon, the roads were as dry as in summer.

Harvest. — Owing to the changeableness of the weather the harvesting operations have been greatly retarded. The crop is all cut, but there is a good bit still in the stook. Althoug-t there has been much more work than usual with the rough windy weather (in some places the stooks have bean set up several times), less damage has been done to the crop than there would have been had tne weather been warm and muggy, and so far the grain is in excellent condition. Mr Brown was at woik last week cutting several small lots of chaff, but has now started thieshing. * Rabbits. — I notice Mr H. Robinson has started going round with his waggon collecting trapped rabbits. Although most of tha farmers laid a good deal of poison, bunny stilt seems to be thriving. After the heavy rain, on Saturday night the ground should be irs a good condit< on for trapping, as it has been very dry hitherto. Lecture. — On March 31 we had an exceptional treat in listening to Dr Nisbet's lecture " Qiieer Folk i' the Shaws." The doctor is a fluent speaker, and that his lecture was pppreciated was shown by the very frequent bursts qE apulause which greeted "his humorous reminiscences. The Rev. J. Orr, who presided, m thanking Dr JNTisbet for his lecture, explained that the audience would have been much larger had not the f aimers been very busy with the harvest. T think I am safe in saying that if Dr Nisbet should favour us with another lecture at some future date the attendance will be double. By the way, I should explain that Dr ICisbefs lectuie was to celebrate the opening of the "Warepa Literary and DebatingSociety. Debating Society.— The first debate was held an the Wsrepa School on "Wednesday evening, April 12. when there was a very good attendance of both sexes. The <=übi<?ct of the debatal was " Town Life v. Country l^ife. ' The Rev. J. Orr started the debate with the advantage?, etc , of town or cilv hie. speaking oi^ tha ndwujta^es intellectual'-* mornl'y and p.ijoiCiillv. I believe soa.c of his heaiers aißiOLr

■wished they could live in town when Mr Orr spoke of the electric trains, modern conveniences, variety of amusements, etc. ; but, sa-d to say, when Mr J. Wright, jun.. described in flowery language the advantages of country life, its freedom, freshness, etc., as Mr Keys said Jater on, "we all returned to our old love again." Mr William Marshall seconded the arguments given by Mr'Orr, and Mr J. Grigor seconded Mr Wright. Then several ladies and gentlemen spoke either in favour of or against 4own or country life. On Mr Wilson (who acted as chairman) calling for a vote, it was found that country life had won by a large majority. The next meeting will be held on April 26, when papers will be read by several members. All are cordially invited to attend. Social G-athering. — Since last writing the young people have held two more " surprise parties " — one at Mr J. Ladng, jun.'s, and the other at Mr D. Jack's. I believe a very pleasant evening was spent at both places. Death. — I Tegret having to record another death in the district. After a short but very painful illness, the eldest daughter of Mr Bobert Ayson, aged 10 years, succumbed on April 4. The funeral was largely attended, the school children being present and singing several appropriate hymns. Much sympathy is felt for Mr ana Mrs Ayson in their gad loss.