KELSO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 35

KELSO.

February 16 —Several showers of rain have fallen during- the past week, and although rather late to benefit the oa>t crop, will do an immense amount of good to grass and turnips. Harvesting operations are. now general, and the farmers are not likely to again undergo the hardships of last year ' before the grain is secured. The crops, considering the exceptionally dry season, are very fair. Educational — Miss Jane Haaris (Glr-n-keiuch) has passed the junior civil service examination "with credit." Complimentary Social — Dunnetf s Hall was well filled on Wednesday evening, the occasion being a complimentary social and presentation to Mr J. Ussher, of the firm of Wright, Stephenson, and Co. Mr J. Jenkins occupied the chair, and in a few words explained the object of the gathering. A concert programme was then proceeded with, the first item being a selection by Messra Rundle (piccolo), J. Dunnett (violin), and' Miss Dunnett (piano). Vocal items were given by Meadamea A. Cowie (Heriot), and B. G-. Foster and Misses Ussher (Dnnedin), Francis Ferguson ; also Messrs Fowler, Allan, F. Alan, J. Dunnett, W. Dunnett, and C Adams. During- an interval, Mr Grainger, in s capital speech, paid a high compliment to Mt Uafiher in connection with his straightforward dealings with farmers and otters. Mr . Grainger said that during- his threw years in the Kehw> office, Mr Ussher had made himself «rtreme!v popular with both the people of Kelso and the- surroundlne district*; and, although they all regretted th» departure- of Buck a popular official, tfcey

were delighted that hi 9 services had been appreciated at headquarters, and thait Mr Ussher was earning well-deserved promotion when he was being taken into the Dunedin office by the firm. On behalf of many friends in Kelso and the districts round about, ;t gave him great pleasure to hand to Mr Ussher a handsome gold watch. The company then gave three ringing cheers for Mr Ussher. and sang " For he's a jolly good fellow." Mr Ussher thanked the people of the district for their very handsome gift, wh.ch he would ever treasure in remembrancs of his ma>ny friends here. Mr J Jenkins, aa president of the Kelso Football and Cricket Clubs (of both of which Mr Ussher was the mainstay), presented' their late captain with a case of pipe°. Mr Ussher was again cheered, and in returning thanks paid a high compliment to his fellow "sports.'' A bei'te-r and more agreeable lot of fe'lows he rever wished to be associated with on cither a encket or fcotball field, and some day he hoped to see them, in Dunedin playing against an English football or ciicket team. If they were not adepts at the gau'e of cricket, they could p"ay football, and one ■thing he admired aboiit his team afc all times — they knew how to take a beating The proceedings wound up with a dance, the proceeds of which went towards the lunds of the Cricket Club Picnics. — The picnic season has been m full swing for some time, and this summer picnickers have had no reason to complain cf the weather. Of all the gatherings, perhaps none is looked forward to with so much p'easure as that provided by the bachelors of Greenvale, assisted by their lady friends. The Leithen Gorge is such an ideal spot f'/T a picnic, and the surroundings so romantic that people wonder there is *a bachelor left in Greenvaie to issue invitaticTis. Boating, as usual, waa a great attraction, and the usua-l games were indulged in — races run, etc., — and a. most liberal supply of tea and cake was handed round in the afternoon and evening. Piper Calder was pies^nt. and the "skirl' 1 of the pipes among the hills delighted many a Scotch heart. In the evening the young people finished up the day'« owtmg with a- dance, Mr A. Thomson very k:ndly placing his house and bam at tho disposal of his friends. Farm Purchased.— Mr E G Barton has purchased Mr Jas. Duncan' <? farm, Tapanm I understand M : r Bartou does not remove to Tapanui until the end of the year. Church Maters.—T he foundation stone of the new Presbyterian Church at Henot was laid last week. Mr W. M'Kay had the hencur of laying the stone. The Kelso Church choir is new practising for the annual social, which is to be held in March