WAIMEA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 39

WAIMEA.

December s.— We have had some very fine warm weather here lately, perhaps a little bit too dry for the farmers. We very seldom like to see tears, but we would like to see some gathering moisture in the heavens above. The grass is kept alive by modest dews, but the cry of the vegetable world and the farmer is "Rain — more rain !" But the unrelenting clouds seem unrelenting still. Great things were expected when a misty cloud hung upon the firmament this morning, and created expectations out of «I1 proportion to its

size. It passed, and the unwelcome blue appeared, leaving us still in the, blues, with the earth browning. But as every cloud, though it may be dun, has a silver lining, there is some consolation that shearing may be prosecuted expeditiously. Wool " has been a growing burden on the back of tbe sheep, but at the same time has been growing in value for the farmer, for the most joyful tidings he has received so far this Christmas is that wool has gone up iD price in the markets of the world. School Concert. — The annual school concert and dance was held in the Riversdale Drill Hall on Friday evening, December 27. There was a very good attendance, all being interested in the performances of tho children. Ma* Smaii, in the absence of the chairman of the committee, presided. The first part of the programme was occupied by the children of the school in rendering several quaint and pretty action songs. The * fancy dress display in these made them still more attractive, and great credit muet be given to the\teacherf and parents who had the trouble of getting these up. Songs were given by Misses Cleland and Smail and Messrs M'Cutcheon and G. Green. The second part of the programme consisted chiefly of a farce by local amateurs. It was entitled, 4 'My Turn Next." The chief characters were sustained a3 follows:— Mr T. Twitters, Mr Charles Heenan; Mrs T. Twitters, Miss M. Smail; Cicely, Miss-M'Kibbin; Peggy, the housemaid, Miss J. Smaill; Tim, Mr Campbell; Tom Taft, Mi G. Green.