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Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 39

February 3.— We have had a few welcome showers during the past week, but not enough to do much good to the dry, parched soil. The pastures and crops have, however, been somewhat freshened by th© change. Harvest. — Harvesting has commenced in some places, but is not yet general. It is expected that the grain crops will give a better yie d than was at first anticipated. It is said that the potato crop is pretty well all tops, with very few tubers. Fires — We have been very fortunate in not having anything serious to report, although large volumes of smoke and heat waves from neighbouring bush fires made things very uncomfortable here during the past month. The combined railway and traffic bridge at Lumsden over the Oreti River had a narrow escape from dostruotion by fire. Mr Ward, of Holmsdale, noticed large volumes of smoke rising at the south end of the structure, and with much promptness 1 despatched all hia harvest hands to the scene of the fhe, he himself going post haste to Lumsden for further assistance. With the combined efforts of the railway staff and those already on the scene the fire was speedi y put cut, little damage being done and traffic very little interfered with. Mr Ward's timely action and promptness is worthy cf much praise. Is it a Hoax? — Two Lumsden boys while out fishing one day last week, espied a. bottle in the Oreti River a little below the bridge, and. boy-like, commenced to throw stones at it, trying who would first break the bottle. On accomplishing their purpose a piece of newspaper fell out with this written on it in pencil : "We two are sinking in quicksand on Mavora Lake. Send help at once. Signed, J. Johnson, from Hobart, December 26, 1907." Some regard the matter as «. hoax. i*f it is th« writer should b» severely punished. Tha alia of

paper was handed in to the police, who are taking steps to have the matter cleared up We await with interest the outcome of this somewhat mysterious message.

Tourists and Coaching — This has been a, very busy season so far. Heavy coach loads of passengers and luggage are earned each trio to and from Lumsden. Te Anau. etc. Thirty-seven passengers were landed at Lumscleu one day last week, and the proprietors had 3S hordes engaged on several occasions during the past morth This enormous traffic is being carnpd out hkp clockwork, which says volumes for the good management of our popular coaching firm Wedding Bel's.— A very pretty and popular wedding took place in A 1 SaiM -' Church. Lum'den, on Wednesday last, when Miss Barrett (Lily Jane) was united in the bonds of matrimony to Mr John Robert Eeeoil. of Wanganui The officiatnig clergyman was the Rev. D. Rankm The church was beautifully decorated a feature of the decorations being an artistic bell of evergreens hung from the ceiling immediately abrve the bride's head The church was well filled with friends ard well-wisher". It was an ideal sunshiny day, and if the saying that happy is the bride the sun shires on cairie = any truth, -then Miss Barrett's share of happiness must be arge lrdeed The joting lady was gnen away by her father. She wore a gown of cieam Japanese ,=iik trinimed with lace, and wore the cuitomiry veil and flower wreath, and carried a handsome shower bouquet The bride's sister. Miss Birdie Barictt. and three little dots acted as bride=ma.ds. 11/ John Parker, of Edendale, actsd as groomsman After the ceremony about 50 guests sat down to breakfast in a spacious room at the residence of the bride's parents. The presents sant in from all quarters to the bride and bridegroom, were very large, useful, and* valuable, and included several bulky cheques. The bridegroom's present to the bride was a massive gold bangle and god brooches to the bridesmaids. The bride's present to her newlywedded partner was a handsome silvermounted ebony walking stick. The newlywedded pair left by the afternoon express for Queenstown amidst showers of thp customary emblems of good luck, the bride wearing a beautiful travelling dress of plumcoloured Venetian c'oth with white facings. It ana ifj-= B.rreH in^;+<s<3 a. l<t>-«e number of friends to a wedding social in the public hall in the evening, when everyone seemed to have a thoroughly enjoyable time. Good News — Mr M'Phee. previously reported as lying s eriously ill m the Lumsden Cottage Hoauittil, is now convalescent, and it is thought he may be able to take outdoor exercise in a few days.