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Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 40

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December 12. — The weather just now is simply delightful/ The splendid general rain, lasting 24 hours, on Wednesday will do an immense amount of good. The funeral of the late Mr George M'Lay Via held to-day, and was largely attended. A preliminary inquiry was held on Tuesday to Identify the bjdy, and a further mqi'ry trill be held on Monday. There have b«en excellent nominations received for the Cromwell race meeting en D»y, and "the class of horses #npaged is far and "vway the best received for many years. Mining matters are quiet as far as d.rdging is concerned, but considerable interest is being manifested in reefing, and something good will probably result. The Nevis field, both in dredging and particularly hydraulic sluicing, is turning cut very well. December 16.— 0n Wednesday the residents were treated to * spectacular and musical entertainment . by the school children which, as usual. reflected the highest praise on the Dominican sisters for the ability, care, arid patience they bestow on their pupils. The drill of the boys, in orthodox Grenadier Guards' uniforms, was capitally goc© through, and the various pianoforte dueta by Masters A. Neill and G. Morris, the Misses J. FreWen and A. Thomas, and M. and T. Mitchell were splendidly rendered, asd spoke volumes for the musical education given by the sisters. Miss Bessie Laffey played a violin solo, " Serenade Sicilienne," in splendid styles displaying artistic talcfet of great . promise. Her brother, Mr Thoa. Laffey, gave an exhibition of dumb-ball swinging which , fairly brought down the houae, and he had 1 to respond to an undeniable encore. A very ' •pretty operatta, " Bubbles," by a group of ' girls, was enthusiastically received', the ' dancing and singing being very good indeed. Speoia.l praise must bo awarded to Pearl j U'Laughlin, who, though only six years of age, was letter-perfect in a. lengthy dialogue., The girls were all simply but charmingly attired, and formed a pratty spectacle. Master A. Neill sang two songs in capital ertyle. A . comedietta, Miss Nonchalence,' was given by seven young girls, who severa-lly performed their parts well. Miss Maud Mitohell and Miss Frances Hayes especially. A ■horns, " Spanish Students Song," was capitally rendered, and brought the entertainment to a close. Through the evening being very wet the attendance wa« not so large as jsual. but as a large number of tickets were told it is expected that £25 will bs realised. •w Owing to the Christmas and New Year holidays, it will be necessary to go to press earlier than usual with the issues of ihe Otago Witness which, in the ordinary course of events, would be published on' December 25 and January 1. Correspondents are requested to send in their communications so as to reach the Witness Office not later than *he 20th and 27th inst. respectively. * 1