TUTURAU.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 23

TUTURAU.

January 14. —Our annual picnic was hold on New Year's Day in Mr R Dickie's paddock. The weather was not the best—very wet and .cold in the morning; but the rain cleared off about 11 o'clock, anr* the wind soon dried up the grass. There was a large- gathering of local residents and many visitors. Mr Muir's bush made a shelter from the wind. The picnic was a patriotic one, so much set aside for expenses and prizes, and 'the balance for the Y.M.C.A.. No fewer than seven races were got off for boys of various ages ranging from six years to 16 years, and the same number for girls of different ages. There were two three-legged races, and two sack races each, for girls and boys, and two potato races for boys. The principal events for those of more mature years resulted : —Young Ladies' Race: Miss Oughton 1, Miss Humphries 2, Miss M'Lachlan 3. Young Married Ladies' StopEing the Chain: Mrs Ladbrook 1, Mrs ,ei'tch 2, Mrs W. Dickie 3. Senior Married Ladies' Stepping the Chain: Mrs Stewart 1, Mrs Beaumont 2, Mr 3 Clegg 3. Senior Men Stopping tho Chain: H. Munro 1, W. Ryde. jun., 2, T. Glover 3. One Hundred Yards' Raoo: W. Ward 1, R. Hopkins 2, W. M'Lood 3. Hop, Step, and Jump: H. Perkins 1, C. Perkins 2, E. Clearwater 3. Pig-catching: Miss C. Perkins. Mile Race: A. Mitchell 1, M. Mitchell 2, A. Collie 3. High Jump: J. M'Lachlan 1, with three a tio for second placo. Tho pig was donated bv Mr Muir. son., and was handed back by Miss 0. Perkins, the winner. It was sold, and realised £5 15s 6d. Many gave back their prizes, amounting to £2 lis 9d, and thore was a balance after paying expenses of £9 8s 3£d, making a total of £ly 15e 6£d to bo handed to the Y.M.C.A.

Weather.'—Wo had very heavy rain here on the evening of the Ist, continuing overnight and all dav, with a high wind. On the 2nd 'the temperature fell very low, and hcavv rain und hail fell all day, with thunder and lightning. On the 3rd the cold and rain moderated, and good weather has continued since. The soaking did an immense amount of good, and turnips sown a month before are now coming away well. Tho weather has been very warm for several davs, and a great improvement is seen on the crops, all of which are now shot, and but for the rain some would not have been worth cutting. Birds are numerous, and are very busy on the cocksfoot, which is ready for cutting.