TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 39

TAPANUI.

October 19. — Th© present is a busy time with the farmer, tnd seed-sowing is well forward, moat of the cats being in the ground \jnd preparations inj hand for gras3 and turnips. Our district! is looking remarkably well, and the young grass Baddocks (especially where lime has been applied) are a pleasing sight. The season has been exceedingly favourable for lambing, and good percentages are the rule. Shearing is again close at hand, but the prospects for wool are not. bright, and it ia evident there- will not be c return to the shilling a pound years. However, there is no room for complaint, and farm produce generally has maintained fair values. Church Social. — The- Presbyterian Church annual social, iheld on Wednesday evening last, was one of the most successful gatherings eeen in the- church. The- weather was upt inviting, but the people rolled up well, ■ and* the church was filled to the dcors. The Rev. R. Weu-gh occupied tfce chair, and in his annual report on? behalf of the ssesion, spoke encouragingly of all branches of the church work. Th© finances were in a healthy position, said there was , every reason for congratulation on tfce -work of the year. The principal speaker for theevening was the Rev. Mr Gray (North-East Valley), and he gave a splendid address, and was listenedPto with pleasure. The | local officer of the- Salvation Array also* spoke, and* earnestly eojnirratulaited- the j church on the year's work. The ladies supplied eatables of the best quality 'in abundance, <and the young people of the congregation attended to the wants of •the large gathering in a praiseworthly manner. In proposing the adoption of the annual balance sheet, Mr J. N. Stewart took the opportunity of conveying to Mr Waugh the congregation's very high appreciation of his work^ and said his preaching was a pleasure and benefit to his people. Mr Stewart pointed out that ministers could not gauge the measure of success that attended their, labours, but lie assured Mr and Mrs Waugh that they were held in high estcom by the members of the church, and trusted their pastor would bo long spared to continue his work and remain with. them. It was evident that Mr Stewart voiced the sentiment of the church people generally. Mr Gillies endorsed the remarks of th© previous speaker, and M.r Waugh sincerely thanked them for their expression. Amongst j the singew for th© evening was Miss Kingsland, a visitor to the district, and hex solos were listened to with very great pleasure. Mr Stewart also rendered an excellent item, and the anthems sung by the choir (under the leadership of Mr J. N". Stewart) showed careful training. The prograninro all through was crisp and bright, and all \ felt that a pleasant and profitable evening j hadi been spe-nt. Angling. — The fishermen have been very busy during the. opening weeks of the season, and as tba Pomahaka has been in capital order, some good takes havo | been made. The river is teeming with small fish. and«#f angler.? arc not getting weight, they are making- up for it in* numbers. There appears to be more-license-holders than u«ual this season, and [ the sport is yearly becoming more popular. It is not often that ths river is in such good order t-o early in the season, but the crow water does aios, appear to be seriously affecting the stream, no doubt by reason of its coming away gradually. The smaller streams are but little fished nowadays, anglers preferring the Pomahaka where they can get *' clbow-rcoin." Show. — The Tapar.ui annual show has been fixed for Friday, December 11, and owing to the show ground being -Under culthation this year, the gathering will take place on the racecourse. The committee are now preparing the prize schedule. [ Horticultural. — Tlur annual meeting of the Tapanui Horticultural Society wwav; v held on Thur<sdav evening 1 last, when th© secretary bad a highly satisfactory balance sheet to' submit, the statement showing a credit of over £22. Mr R. G. Robinson was elected presidents Mr J. N. Stewart vice- | president, and Mr J. Clouston secretary j and treasurer (re-elected). A general com- } mitte© wa* appointed, and the ordinary , routine work of the annual meeting con- . ducted. The first committee meeting, to , revise prize schedule, etc., will be held early ! in November. Ball.— The Oddfellows' ball, held on the 4th inst., was perhaps the largest gathering of the* kind seen in Tapanui, over 100 couples gracing- the floor of the Town Hall. Amongst the Ai-itors was Prov. G-.M. Bro. - C H. Crawfoid (Port Clialmers), Deputy Prov. fi.M. Bio. C. J. Wood (Baklutha), Pro. 8«c. Bra. J. A. Hopcraft (Dunedin). and P.P.G.M. Bro. Brigg3 (Cavcrsham). A mc-t enjoyable" night was spent, and th© general .arrangements were well carried out." Daring the evening the Prov. G.M. presented P.G. Bro. Jas. Duncan, who had acted ac trustee for the lodg-a for about 30 years, with a very handsome walking stick, gold mounted, and suitably inscribed. The local !od?e continues to prosper, and has now about £4500 in accumulated fund", with a steadily-growing membership. I Election.— Clutha is apparently going to miss all the excitements of a contested election, and the sitting member will havo a walk-over. It would take a strong man to unseat Mr Malcolm, as he has proved himself a useful and attentive member. His conduct of the Tapanui County BUI gained him a. lofc of support, and any wants j placed before hini have had his earnest attention. Cricket.— The cricket season was announced to open on Labour Day, but the weather was more fit for top-coats than flannels, and the first match of the season, had to be postponed.