LAKE WANAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 35

LAKE WANAKA.

June 4.—'Up to the middle of May the weather was about perfect, but for the last fortnight we hava experienced, very mixed conditions —two very heavy downpours of rain, a few nights of hard frost, two or three days of fog, and on the high hills afai off tho snow is to be seen lying thick and fairly low down. Recruits.—During the last few weeks some more of our young men have left for Troutham. and I hear that more are to leave shortly. There are very few young unmarried men remaining here now, most of them having left for the front, and the majority of those left behind are under age. A 'lumber of farewell socials have been held here lately in honour of those who have taken up arms for their King and country. Mr J. Semmena, who has been training at Trentham for the last three or four months, came homo on leave, and his friends gathered in the schoolhouse to bid him good-bye, and presented him with a small token of esteem. Mr Andrew MTCay was in the chair, aud made the presentation, which consisted of a smoking and shaving outfit. The musical part of the programme was carried out by the following ladies and gentlemen Mesdames Clark, M'Kcn/.ie, and O’Driscoll, Dr Macpherson, and Messrs J. Pcrrow, A. Milne, F. Clark, and R. Walker. Magnifient recruiting speeches ‘wore made by the Revs. J. Ryley and H. Gladthorpe and Dr Macpherson.—A few days later a social was tendered to Mr F. D. Barron and Mr G. Mathicson, who have since loft for Trentham. The social was hold in tho hall, Pembroke, and a large number of friends of tho young men were present, and one and all spent 0 a very enjoyable evening, although sad thoughts would sometimes come unbidden when it was remembered that some of these young men—-the best and bravest—might never return to our midst. Both Mr Barron and Mr Mathicson will be very much missed in Pembroke, Mr Mathicson being a singer of comic songs who is hard to beat. Mr Barron! was always found to be in tho load in any movement that was for the good of tho community, and, being a good musician, his services were always being requisitioned, and his going will be a serious loss to Pembroke. The young men were presented with wristlet watches. The speakers of the evening wore the Rev. John Rylov and Dr Macpherson, who appealed strongly to tho young men who had not yet enlisted to do so at once. Items wore given by Mesdarnes O'Driscoll, M'Kcnzio, and Clark, and Messrs Milne, Barron, Walker, Holman, Frye, Clark, and the Rev. Goldthorne. The members of the Presbyterian Church also met Mr Barron at the manse and presented him with a set of military brushes. Mr Barron has filled’ tho office of choirmaster in this church for a long time, and also took tho organ occasionally. The employees of Wanaka Station, among whom Mr Barron h as laboured for sonic months, also entertained him at a nice, little

social at the station, and made a presentation.

Medical. —A meeting of subscribers to the Doctor’s Fund was hold on May 3, and the following members were elected as a committee for the ensuing year:—Messrs J. Faulks (chairman), M. Allison (secretary), M. O’Driscoll (treasurer), P. McCarthy, K-. Kihgan, J. Porrow, A. M‘Laron, J. Lloyd, and G. Ballintyne. The balance sheet was read, and showed that the liabilities for the past year amounted to £IOSO. Between £BOO and £BOO had been subscribed in the district, and proceeds from the bazaar (£IBO clear) placed the committee in a very satisfactory position.

Accident.—Mr John ITalliday, of Albert Town, met with a painful accident last week. His hand l got jambed somehow in the wheel of his dray, and injured the back of his hand severely. Under Dr Macphcrson tlie patient is making good! recovery.