THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3103, 3 September 1913, Page 35

THE COUNTRY.

. IS”, Correspondent* are reminded that all letter* for the current week’s issue must reach Ihwedin NOT LATEB THAN MONDAY NIGHT, tetters coming to hand on Tuesday are too late, end are thus a week old when they appear.

L4KG COtINTT. August 30.—There was a break in the weather on Sunday last, when heavy rain fell, followed by a hght fall of snow on Monday morning. The weather cleared on Tuesday, and since then there has been keen frosts at night, followed by bright sunny days. Hockey.—A team from the Arrowtown Ladies’ Hockey Club, accompanied by several supporters, visited Cromwell on Saturday last, where a match was played against a team from the Cromwell Ladies’ Hockey Club. The match resulted in a win for the latter by 4 goals to nil. The Cromwell girls visit Arrowtown for the return match on Saturday, September 2U. Personal. —Mr if. C. iviiubiey, who recently purchased Coronet Peak Station from Mr Pitman, arrived in the district on Monday, and has taken possession of the station. Horticultural Society.—The annual meeting of members of the Wakatipu Horticultural Society was held in Queenstown on Monday evening last. There was a fair attendance, Mr D. F. Sutherland presiding. The balance sheet, which was adopted, showed receipts to be»£s9 3s 7d (including a balance of £7 3s 4d from last year), and expenditure £47 15s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £ll 8s 3d. The report referred to the loss the society suffered by the death of its president (Mr George Mackenzie), and, on the suggestion of the chairman, it was decided that a record of his valuable sendees bo placed on the minutes, and a letter of condolence sent to Mrs Mackenzie. The following oflice-b, arers were elected: —Patrons —Mrs Mason, the Hon. W. Fraser, and Dr Stewart; president, Mr D. F. Sutherland; vice-presidents —Messrs A. Boyne, M. J. Gavin, L. J. Lynch, and F. St. Omer; committee —the Rev. VV. Uphill, Messrs T. J. Kellv, G. F. Malaghan, T. F. Richards, W. Wilcox, A. M‘Swan A. Simson, A. Bryant, and T. Monk, Mesdames M'Swan. Searlc. Sutherland, Gavin, Mayne, and Simeon, Misses C. Anderson, Hamilton, Warren, Geisow, and Chapman; auditor, Mr A. Boyne. Mr W. D. Warren was appointed secretary pro tern. It was decided to h'old a spring show. A recommendation was made to the Schedule Committee to include a few r poultry classes in either the Spring or Summer Show. A. and P. Society.—The annual meeting of members of the Lake County A. and P. Society was hold in Arrowtown this afternoon. There was a large attendance, Mr Jas. Shaw (president) presiding. The balance sheet, which was adopted, showed receipts to be £206 12s 8d (including a balance of £l7 7s 3d from last year) and expenditure £176 13s 7d, leaving a credit balance of £29 19s Id. It was decided that the annual Show be held on Thursday, November 20. Mr Jaines Shaw was unanimously re-elected president, and Mr P. M. Tobin re-elected secretary and treasurer A large number of vice-presidents wore elected, and a strong executive committee appointed. Mr D. Maclood was elected hon. auditor, -in place of Mr A. Goodley. resigned. The appointment of judges was left in the hands of a sub-committee. Plans of the proposed buildings for new show ground at Mr G. D. Baird’s, Lake Hayes, were submitted to the meeting and approved, and a committee was appointed to carry out the work at once. A vote of thanks was accorded Messrs Leo Lee, G. D. Baird, and W. S. Reid for drawing up the plans.

August 30. —A most enjoyable evening was spent in tbe hall on the 29th, arranged by the Mossburn Mutual Improvement Society, and took the form of competitions. The society were fortunate in securing the services of Mr W. H. Clark, of Lumsden, to act as judge, and the Rev. Vi. H. Blathwayte took the chair. A lengthy programme was gone through, and all the events were keenly competed for. Impromptu speeches brought eight competitors. The competitors had the choice of three subjects—‘‘Was Now justified in presenting the Dreadnought?” “What would you do with militant Suffragettes?” “Should women’s fashions in dress bo restricted?” Mr G. Brent secured first prize, and showed in an .able manner how the militant Suffragettes should be dealt with. Mr H. Graham was awarded second place, his speech being on the Dreadnought. Recitations, competitors’ own choice, was next on the list. Nine competitors came forward. Mies E. Southberg was awarded first place, and Mr J. B. C. Doro was placed second with “Old Bendigo,” and Mr G. P. Chewings third place. The event of the evening was the prepared speech on “Duty,” not to exceed six minutes in length. This was well competed for, there being 11 competitors. Before awarding the prizes the judge complimented all the speakers on the care they had taken in preparing their speeches, and sa'd he doubted if another district could put up that number of speakers to give so creditable a performance. Mies E. Southberg was awarded first place with an excellent speech carefully prepared and very nblv delivered. Mr .T L. Graham was placed second, and Miss Dawson third she having ir;i=~e ( l second nl >ee by the slightest margin. Reading at sight ■ extracts from Dickens caused n Great deal of amusement. Miss E. Southberg again took first, prize, with Mr J. L. Graham second. The impromptu debate was taken part in by five pairs of debaters, the subject being “Is the reading of novels beneficial to young people?” The prize was awarded to Mr A. Chartres and Mr J. L. Graham. An adjournment was then made to the supper room, where about 90 people, being friends of members of the society, partook of refreshments, Supper took the form of a “mock banquet.” The following toasts were proposed and honoured:—“The Ring ” proposed by the president (Mr F. Marshall) : “The Society.” proposed by the Rev. Blathwayte. and responded to by the president, and hon. secretary (Miss D.nveon) : “The Judge.” proposed by the pre-d. dent, and responded to by Mr Clark, who said he was more than surprised at the general ability displayed by the different sneakers: “The Ladies.” proposed by Mr F,. Seobie, and responded to neatly by Mrs H. Beer; “The Chairman.” proposed by Mr A. Roy. and responded to bv the Rev. Mr Blathwayte; “Local Industries.” proposed bv Mr J. 1,. Graham, and responded to by Mr G. P. Chewimrs; “The Visitors.” proposed bv Air H. Graham, and responded to bv Air E. AT Donald. A hearty vote of thank- to the chair, with the singing of “Auld king syne” and “God save the King,” brought a most pinpoint evening to a close.

WKEY’S BUSH. September 1. —The fine weather of the past week has enabled farmers to get on to the ground, and should present conditions continue sowing will be general daring the coming week. Weddings.—Several marriages have taken place in the' district during tire past month. On Tuesday, August 5, Mr Patrick O’Halloran, of Wrey’s Bush, was united in bonds of matrimony to Miss Margaret Burke, of Roslyn Bush. The ceremony took place in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Invercargill, the Rev. Dean Burke being- the officiating clergyman. The marriage of Mr James Francis Egan, of Wrey’s Bush, to Miss Nora Mary Cosgritf, of Nightcaps, was solemnised in the Church of the Assumption (R.C.), Nightcaps, on Wednesday, August 6, the Rev. Father James Lynch officiating; and on Thursday, August 7, Mr Albert Henry Ratloy, of Invercargill, was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Power, of \\reys Bush. The ceremony took place in St. Peter’s Church, Wrey’s Bush, the Rev. Father Lynch officiating. Complimentary Social. —The members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Club entertained Mr and Mrs James Egan, on returning from their honeymoon, at a complimentary social in tire Public Hall on Monday, 26th August, the president (the Rev. James Lynch) presiding. A lengthy toast-list was gone through, the rev. president proposing the chief toast, that of “The Guests, and in so doing paid a high tribute to Mr Egan, and on behalf of the members of the club presented Mrs Egan with a handsome dining room clock and Mr Egan with a beautiful writing desk. In concluding, the president wished Mr and Mrs Egan every success and happiness. Several speakers testified to the good qualities of Mr and Mrs Egan. During the evening musical items were rendered by Mrs Egan and Messrs E. P. Cusack, S. Cusack. T. Egan, W. Egan, and S. O’Brien. pPJIAH.VKA DOWNS. September 1. —Last Sunday was a terrible day of rain, and the crceke were all flooded. I wonder how many tuns of water have fallen here lately. Certainly since Sunday the weather has been on its best behaviour, but there aro signs of another burst. The Farm.—The dark, dead appearance of everything which has met the eye for the past few months has at last given place to the smiles of Nature. An early spring is now with us, and may it last; but the vagaries of this climate arc so well known that we cannot say we are safely out of the wood. However, at present the grass js getting beautifully green, the cackle of the useful hen is heard on all hands, and the lambs arc bleating and the cows are coming into profit. The rabbits have been all trapped. The price for them has been good this year, and consequently every effort has been made to get hold of them. There will very soon have to bo a close season for rabbits, or they will be a thing of the post. Hares are getting more numerous in the swamps. I can see the “useful” Californian thistle putting up his head after a winter’s rest. Plo\ighing the turnip ground is going on merrily, and some discing has been done with a view to sowing the grain. But I fear there will be another set back from the weather. I see a lot written _in the Agricultural Journal about top-dressing the grass paddocks so as to lengthen their period of usefulness. No doubt some have been experimenting in this way. It would be a great saving of labour if wo could leave the grass paddocks down a longer time.

Wairuna School. —Last Friday several committee men and others were busy planting trees in the school grounds. I sec the Pomahaka Downs School has also got trees pl-< nted. Church Alattors.—l am sorry to say that no fixed minister has yet been appointed, but I am lad to se othat the Sunday School at Wairuna is going ahead, and it is also good to know' that a Bible elaas is being formed for young men between the ages of 14 and 20. I bH : eve that the Wairuna schoolmaster (Mr Baird) will conduct the class. I would like to say to the young men of the district: If you want to become good, honest, and respected men, go and join the Bible class. UAHIJIKA. August 25. —After a few fine days w'e arc again having more rain. Bachelors’ Ball.—A bachelors’ ball was held in the Kahuika Hall on Friday night, and as the night was fine, a large number turned up. Excellent music was provided by Miss Puller (piano), Air Elliott (violin), and Mr M’Lennan (piccolo). A very enjoyable time was spent. Railway Lino. —Great satisfaction is expressed from Papatowai to Ilouipapa on account of the Government deciding to open that section of line us soon as possible. Sawmilling.—Five sawmills are now ready to out, and several others will be completed by Christmas. As there is now an extra charge of 8d per 100 ft on timber, and 7s per truck on firewood, props, posts etc., which will bo removed when the section is officially opened to Papatowai, it will be a groat boon to the district. Dairying. —An agent from the Waitaki Dairy Company has been canvassing the district for consignments of cream, and I believe ho met with very fair success,, several settlers deciding to forward cream to Dunedin. Between timber and dairy produce our line will be one of the best paying in the Dominion, and it is to be hoped the Government will endeavour to complete it as soon as possible. Station Sites. —All excitement over station sites has now susbided, and peace and good-fellowship once more reign in our rural villages. A petition is now going the rounds to have the name of our little siding changed from Caberfeidh to Kahuika. Many consider the change is unnecessary, and apt to cause confusion, as there is already the place called Kaihikn in the Clutha district, where even with the acknowledged care of our postal authorities our letters at times go. If our railway •station is changed no public benefit can bo obtained, but grave mistakes and confusion may occur, especially in holiday time. Caberfeidh is a “ guid auld ” Scotch name, very appropriate for the little siding, as the wild bush-clad hil’s in the distance strongly remind one of the heather hills of the old Homeland. Kahuika is Alaori and means a portion of land between two rivers. As the little siding is over a mile either from Kahuika or its rivers, we can see no just reason for the change. MVSAKSTHAF. August 30. —The bachelors and benedicts of Livingstone and Alarawhenua held their ball in the Livingstone flail on 29rh August. The night was very fine, consequently the affair was a brilliant success, largo numbers

coining from far and near. The Ball Committee had spared no amount of labour on the floor, which was in excellent order. The catering was in the capable hands of Mr W. M'Grath, and left nothing to be desired. Mr \V. Carling kindly lent his residence for the evening, and the tables were set therein by the Ball Committee, who deserve great praise for the splendid manner in which they fulfilled this duty. The grand march was led off by Mr and Mrs Kreft, followed by about 40 couples. Mr D, Kennedy acted as master of ceremonies in his usual efficient manner, everything progressing pleasantly and with vigour. The music was supplied by Mr J. Patterson and Miss Beck {violin and piano), and was of a very high order of merit. It is impossible for me to describe the pretty dresses worn by the ladies, but it is sufficient to say they were all very becoming. Songs were rendered throughout the evening by the Messrs Payne. The entertainment terminated at 2.30, when one and all returned to their homes after having spent a most enjoyable evening. Much thanks are due to the energetic Ball Committee for the excellent manner in which everything in connection with the ball was carried out. Having been such a success, it is to he hoped that the bachelors and bened-cts will make this function an annual affair.