KNAPDAIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 39

KNAPDAIE .

January 6. — The weather during the past few weeks has been very good. Before Christmas we had: a heavy fall of rain. This was followed by warm, weather. In consequence all kinds of crops are looking well, and grass is *cry plentiful. Those who have kept grass are now busy cutting it. Some are making it into hay, while others are practising the more orthodox method (at least from a colonial point of view) of stacking it for seed. Shearing. — Shearing is now occupying the attention of many sheepowners, the hot, dry atmosphere being very favourable to rapid progress being made. A number of farmers, i especially those with large flocks, have their shearing done in Mr M'Nab's shed, where ' there is every convenience for yarding, draft1 ing, and other necessary operations. Mr Geo. rKerr, before. Christmas, put through a- flock of 6000 at this shed, but as the weather was 1 damp at the time the- work was much de1 layed. Turnips are .earlier than usual, and. are looking well. Thinning- has commenced on most farms. The Holidays. — The fine weather added much to the enjoyment of Christmas and New "Sear holidays. During the festive season few left here for other centres, nearly all limiting' their indulgence to the various picnics and sports round about. Shortly before Christmas the young people of the Knapdale 1 - Church, representing the choir, Bible class, and Mutual Improvement Society spent a Saturday at Croydon Bush and Hokoiiui Hills. TJhe days outing was much enjoyed, but one regrettable feature was the ' fact that the strawberries, for which that locality is noted, were not " on." On Christmas Day the annual picnic of the Knapdale . (combined with. Otama) Band of Hope was i held at Mr M'llroys farm. The attendance was only fair this year. About £2 was coli lected on the ground, and this amount was very economically distributed among the various prize-takers. Mr Collins went to great pains to make the picnic a success, taking a waggon load of children mot mutes) to the rendezvous', and when there taking a leading part in the entertainment of the young ones. Among the other helpers were Messrs J. Dunn, J. Kirk, J. Prebble^ and R. Byars. On January 1 the annual picnic of | the Knapdale Sunday School was held in the j Knapdale School grounds. The attendance I was good, and the function was enjoyable Ito young and old. The Sunday School teachers — Misses Peter, Collins. Elder, and Messrs Baird, Kirk, and W. Marshall (superintendent) — went to great trouble in collecting money (over £7), and in arranging a wide programme of events for young and old. The handicappers were Messrs Alex. Byars and Robert Baird. As I have not a i copy of the winners of • the various events, they, like the "flower" of the poet, must be content to " blush unseen."

School Holidays. — The Knapdale School is closed for five weeks. This is the second time that the holidays have been granted at New Year. The othar occasion was four years- ago. What with Christmas holidays, turnip thinning, potato gathering, and harvest, the summer months are invariably anything but a " rosy " time for the teachers. I believe that most teachers in the country have to do most of their work during the winter months, when, it need hardly be added', the days are short and the roads bad.

A Ball. — When speaking of local festivities on New Year's Day it should have been stated that the Knapdale Hall Committee organised a ball for the evening of January 1. The attendance was satisfactory, the music good, and all seemed thoroughly to enjoy themselves.