TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 23

TAPANUI.

May 4. —Again we are into winter, but so far as this part of the world is concerned it may safely be said that winter set in about six months ago. The season has been an unusually broken one, and there are still many paddocks of grain standing in stook. whilst a few crops are uncut. The weather for a day or so last week enabled stacking to proceed, but the week-end was cold and stormy. With short days the tail end of the 1919 harvest will be a tedious business, but no doubt all the crop will be saved in due course, and what will not thrash will come in for feeding stock during the winter. Turnips for sheep are likely to be short, and as the bottom has fallen out of the store stock market there is little doing. If farmers can get through the present month, however, without turniping sheep they may wintee all right, and live in hopes of a favourable spring. There is still a fair demand for fat stock, but at considerably reduced prices. School Concert.—Owing to the influenza epidemic and the closing of the schools it was found impossible to hold the annual school concert and prize distribution in December, 1918. This took place on Friday evening last, and the Town Hall was filled for the occasion. The juveniles supplied a very good programme for the first part, and with the assistance of adults an address- by Mr A. S. Malcolm, M.P., and distribution of prizes, a very successful function resulted. The dux medal went to Miss. Ada Gordon, and the medal was pro sented by the chairman of the committee (Mr Geo. Howat).

Sporting.—The fishing season, which closed on Wednesday last, has been' a very patchy one. Weather and river took turns in baffling the anglers, and the result was that good baskets were few and far between. Deer-stalkers (red and fallow) have also had a poor time, and fallow deer shooting- en the Blue Mountains is now pretty, well out of date. The heads secured in the Upper Pomahaka district have not come up to expectations, being deficient in tines and lacking in spread. Some fresh blood is to be introduced, and it is hoped that the herd will be improved thereby. The deer shot were in splendid condition, and there is apparently plenty of feed. Borough Elections. —Mr J. A. Gillies was elected unopposed for Mayor of the borough of Tapanui. Only seven councillors were nominated—two short of the required number. There does not appear to be a rush for municipal Honours, and citizens should show a little more interest in the welfare of the town.

Peace Celebrations.—A strong committee has been set up to carry out the programme for peace celebrations, comprising religious services on Sunday, procession and entertainment of school children and public meeting in the evening on Monday, and grand ball, on Tuesday evening. It is to be hoped that the weather will "take a pull," and be more kindly disposed on the days set aside for the celebrations, otherwise they will be carried out under great disadvantages. It is proposed at a later date to fittingly entertain all the returned men, and consider what steps will be taken in the matter of erecting a memorial to fallen soldiers. A fund if now being raised to provide the local hospital with a fever ward, and contributions are coming in steadily. This appeal must commend itself to all. and_ is worthy of generous support. The hospital has proved of great value to the whole district, and a fever ward is urgently needed. There should be no difficulty in raisinp- the £2CO required to secure the new addition.