TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2689, 27 September 1905, Page 35

TAPANUI.

September 25.— The long spell of splendid weather— in fact, the record winter— gave place last week to an unpleasant change; ai cl the past four or five days have been wet and stormy. Snow fell in the mountains, and the flat country was literally flooded. No serious damage, however, has been reported; and as all farm work is well in hand, the break will not be seriously felt. The principal sufferers will be those whoss flocks are lambing, and most small holders' lots have just started. The wet and cold must result in considerable rrjortaaty amongst young lambs. Ths day&, however, aro lengthening rapidly, md when Old Sol shines out again tho future supply of " Prime Canterbury" will be seen skipping m the paddocks. As grass is beginning to come aw?y nicely, it is expected that there will be a good percentage of lambs generally this season. Seed-sowing is well advanced on many farms, and a few weeks' dry weather would see this work in full swing. Amusements. — The danceTS have been busy of late, and qtiite made up for t^e lack of such amusement in the 3-a.Wy part of tho winter. The young people held a couple of very successful social gatherings, and on Friday night last the members of Lodge Hercules celebrated their anniversary by a ball. The night was unfavourable, but there was a capital turn out, and the gathering proved a most enjoyable one. Rundle's Band furnished excellent music, the catering was of the be&it, and the arrangements generally \\-ci - e well carried out by the Masons. Bros. John Jeakms and J. W. Adams fulfilled the duties of JlO's in sin efficient manner — On the 6tn October the Oddfellows will hold their thirtyfifth anmver'baiy. and this popular function invanablj attiacts a large gathering — After that we shall have the Volunteer ball, so that the dancers have still some amusement betore them this season.

Gymnasium. — The Gymnastic Club Las closed down for the season, after a, most successful period. The junior class was specially strong this winter, and the pupils made excellent progress. The visits of Mr Hanna, (Dunedin)* wero of special benefit, and that gentleman kindly judged the competitions on )ho clo=ivg night, when a nun»t>ei ot prizes were ghen 101 efficienev and progress. The instructors deserve th& thanks of pat'eiltb for the pai^s they took in eci'duciing the clashes, aad it, 15 to be hoped tli:it tho club will continue to do good woik in the future, xbe

energetic seoretary (Mr P. Collins) takes a live interest in his work, and keeps the club m a healthy, financial position. Poultry Association. — The usual meeting of the Tapanui District Poultry Association was held on Thursday evening last, Mr P. Hay (vice-president) in the chair, and there was a fair attendance of members. The annual balance sheet showed a record year for the society. Starting with a credit balance of £18, the year's business was carried on, and £12 worth of new staging and material bought, and at the end of the peiiod there was atill a credit of £18 odd. The secretary (Mr A. Munyard) was specially commended for his management of the finances and the affairs of the society generally, and he was voted M 4s for his services — an amount, however, that" only in a very small degree compensates for the labour entailed during the year. The election of officers resulted as follows- — President, Mr P. Hay ; vice-president, Dr Robertson ; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. Munyard fieelected), together with a strong working committee. The ordinary routine business v?as transacted, and the question of holding a twodays' show next year was then discussed. It was finally agreed thait the pros and cons be gone into, and the question finally settled at a meeting to be held at an early date.

Anglers' Association. — The annual meeting of the Tapanui District Anglers' Association was held at Kelso on Saturday evening. There was a fair attendance, Mr A. Mason presiding. The report showed a successful year's work, and a small credit balance to begin the year with. Mr George Howat was elected president, Dr Robertson and Messrs "W. R-arnsay, D. Buchanan, J. R. Crossan, and A. Williamson, vice-presidents; Mr A. S. Malcolm, secretary and treasurer (re-elected), and Messrs A. Mason, J. Howat, P. M'C'ann, P. Hay, T. Hagen, D. Doake, and T. E. Wilkins, committee. It was decided to hold three competitions during the coming season, one to be for youths. The principal business of the meeting was in connection with thie question of poaching ', and Mr J aim Howat and Qr Robertatfi submitted a proposal that has been made ior d&eo: stalkers and anglers to combine and form a strong association. By .employing a porn/scent resident 3 anger (far which thWa is a prospect of getting a vote from tho Otago Acolimaitisa,tion Society) it was generally considered that haUtua] poatihing would soon be put down. It was pointed out that Uie district furnished a, large amount annually for fishing and deer-stalking licenses, and was entitled to some return in ths i\ay of an endeavour to stop poaching. The details wero not gone auto very fully at Saturday's meeting,, but it was iinaninjonsly decided to extend tho ■'cope of the association by admitting decr-st-alktrs to membeirship, and a> definite proposal is to be obtained from 1 the O.A.A. to place before a meeting of a.U interested, to bei held in Tayanui at 630 on Saturday evening .next. A good attendance. ;s looked for, as all interested in sporting should readily talie advantage of any bclujnie that lias for its aim tho protection of gume and fish. A zealous ranger should check ihe poaching evil, wLich cf late years has been most proncnP'Tcd.

Obitusry. — One of ih& band of early settJeirs on Tapanui Ffat passed away last week at the ripe, ag-e cf S2 years— namely, Mr William liamb. Deceased came to this district ovei 30 years ago, wihen tho land was first taken up, and has fannied a smal 1 holdirig of rich land successfully evei since. He took no part in public affairs and, being a bachelor, lived a quiet life- on his holding. For some yeai-s pairt he had ncii been in robust heaJth, and had been confirmed to his bed fo some months back. He was carefully attended to by neighbours, aaid passed nway peacefully on Thursday evening. The remains were interred in Tapanui Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, the Rev. W. Scorgie (Morninglon) conducting the burial sea-vioe.

Cricket. — This popular gaiue promises to bs well suppoited locally this ye-ii, and already the Tapanui, Heriot, and 'KOl Olubs have hold their anuu.ii meetings, whilst a new club has oeeu formed a.t 3£clso. Wifh foiu- ekibs in rlose proximity, a District Association should bo formed, which would prove more satisfactory than one controlled at G&re did last year. The reason was opened at Tapanui on Saturday week with a scratch match, bub tlso -ivoatliar sinca lias, not boon of a cxickctin« variety, Bdting Clvii — Tlw Tapanui Kaofng dub li&ld its animal meeting reoantly, when Dr Robextson was re-elected president, and Messrs Jamnii Eoljertson and R. Elliot vicepresidents. Mr A. Munyard declined re-elec-tion as sec^etaiy. ai^tl it was decided' to leave the appointment of a new official to a meeting to be held nest Saturday evening, w>m it is hopid there will also be something satisfactory to report in connection with the proposed legislation in connection with the racecouTse. Th,a matter was boforo Parliament Eome time ago, but has not been mentioned lately. *

MurcJea 1 Case. — Tbere are 110 fresh developments in the Ham Sing Tong case to record, and the. etscitemont occasioned by the cowardly deed has abated. Tlie local fasling is strongly expressed thftt the guilty ones may ba brought to justice, fo- poor old Sing Tong had a merry laugh for all as he plied iound with his vegetable cart. He was one of the few Celestials who seemed to find pleasure in conversing ou the customs of his country, and was generous-heaited.