TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 3382, 8 January 1919, Page 23

TAPANUI.

January 6.—We' have entered upon another year, and the period 1914-1918, with its terrible war experience has closed. It only remains to bury the past, and hope that the deliberations of the great conference in the Old World will result in a permanent peace; also that those responsible for the war will receive their just deserts, and some guarantee given that no such scenes of slaughter as have been witnessed during the past four years will ever again be possible. Weather. —The present season so far as this district is concerned is one of the most unfavourable on record. During spring there was not a settled spell, and summer is promising no better. People usually 100k — for what reason is not known —to the change of the year for improvement when bad weather marks the closing months. The change here, if anything, has been for the worse, the weather on JNew Year's Day being vile, and the succeeding days have been no better. As a result everything is backward. Shearing and turnip-sowing are delayed, and grain crops are making slow growth. The area in grain, however, is remarkably small, and harvest will not be a great consideration. A month's fine weather would hearten all classes., and such a boon is earnestly desired.

Holidays.—The holiday -season passed very quietly locally. Following the " flu" epidemic, there waa not a great inducement to travel, and unseasonable weather helped to keep people indoors. The only district gathering of any importance—the Kelso Caledonian sports on Njew Year's Day—was mailed by had weather. A few " sports" journeyed to the Southland race meetings, but the number travelling by rail was perceptibly small. Deaths.—Death has been exceptionally busy of late, and almost daily funerals the result. At Park Hill during the Christmas season Mrs Clack, an early resident, passed away at a good old age. Mr Charles Fleming, a. well-known farmer at Crookston, died after a long illness, and his' death deplored. At Tapanui Mr T. J. Quayle, who had conducted a bakery business, for nearly 30 years, passed away on the last day of the old year. He had not been in good health for some time past. As a man and a citizen he was held in the highest esteem, and the family afflictions during the past few years call forth general sympathy for the widow and surviving members of the family, three sons being away on active service The most recent funeral was that of the late Mr Donald A. Cameron, whoso remains were brought from Nokomai for interment in the Tapanui Cemetery, other members of the family being buried here. Special interest was centred in the funeral on Saturday from the fact that it was a Highland burial. Five pipers from Invercargill were in attendance, and the wail of the pipes was heard from. the Catholic Church to the cemetery, the tartan-clad pipers making a brave display. Two priests were in attendance, and the burial was a most impressive spectacle. Mr Alexander Cameron, of Fassiefern, Tapanui, is a brother of the late Mr Donald Cameron, who frequently visited this district. Progression.—The contractor for the new premises for the Bank of New Zealand in Tapanui have resumed work after the holidays, and should soon have the brickwork completed. The building promises to be a very handsolne ona and quite an addition to the township. Work is also commencing on a new residence on the town boundary for a retired Crookston farmer, and there is a good demand l for residential property. All Saints' Church. —The vestry of All Saints' Church is to be congratulated on the purchase of a most desirable manse property from Mr E. C Barton. The new minister (Rev. W. Ewart) is now established in the manse, and the Anglican section of the community are showing increased interest in church matters. I understand there is a proposal on foot to erect a new church at Heriot, and Waikaka has been added to this parish. "With a district covering an area from Clinton to Waikaka, the clergyman will have a large amount of travelling, and a motor ear would greatly expedite his work. The business of a professional man without a car nowadays is carrying a- substantial handicap, and with a horse and trap finds travelling a slow process. The car, of course, has its disadvantages when road 3 are bad and there is " something wrong with the works 1"

Angling.—Fishermen are doing next to nothing this season. When the river io right the weather is wrong, and henco baskets are small. Occasional good takes are recorded, but as a whole the season is unsatisfactory. Given anything like deceii'b weather, anglers should have a better time in tho fall, but summer wading is out of the question.