TUTURAU.

Otago Witness, Issue 3433, 30 December 1919, Page 27

TUTURAU.

December 26.—Tbo weather is still wet and stormy. We had one week of fine, warm weather, which made a. marked improvement on the oat crops. Turnips, newly sown, were soon through. A change came up at 10 a.m. on Christmas Day, and heaVy rain set in. The temperature was warm, and in the afternoon only a little rain fell till evening, when heavy rain again set in and continued till morning. At 10 o’clock on Friday, when .the rain ceased, the day was dull and a chill wind from the southwest blowing. . If we get any summer it will be after New Year. In the meantime weeds are growing apace, and it is quite impossible to cope with them. This will mean much hard work among the turnips when dry weather comes. Concert.—The committee of the Chautauqua at Mataurai motored out to Tuturau on Tuesday evenng, bringing some singers with them, and) held a concert in the factory cheese-room, where seats were put in temporarily by Mr Taylor (manager), also their piano and lamps. There was not a large audience, as. it was not widely known, but those who were there had a fine evening. Bongs were sung by Mr Taylor, “ The sands of. Dee” and “My Grandmama”; Mr Jones, “ Hats off to the stokers” and “ My Rosary”; Mr Tail, “ The Irish Emigrant” and “ My pretty Jane”; Mr P. Batchelor “ I'll sing the songs of Araby.” Addresses were given by Mr Walton and Mr Griffiths, the object being to forward) the sale of tickets here and so help the society. A hearty vote of thanks was proposed by Mr Walton to Mr and Mrs Taylor, and heartily responded to. School Concert.—The annual school concert in aid of the prize fund took place on Thursday last. The weather was fine, and the school was packed. After introductory remarks by the chairman (Mr W. Muir), the following well-rendered selections by the children were gone through, fancy costumes to suit, each piece giving an additional 1 interest to the items:—Song by scholars, “Old King Cole”; action song, “Piccanninies,” M .Muir and E. Taylor, with chorus; wand drill, senior girls; recitation, “The Little Kookaburra,’” M. Glover; song, “Lullaby,” senior pupils; haymakers’ dance by five boys and five girls; recitation, “A Little Maid’s Thoughts,” Doris Blair; quartet and chorus, “ Song of the Seasons,” M. Murl (Spring), M. Glover (Summer), E. Taylor (Autumn), and Martha • Muir (Winter); musical sketch, “Old friends with new faces,” small children—M. Muir Mary), B. Dickie (Humpty Dunipty), E. and G. Taylor (Jock and Jill), Grace Taylor (Old Mother Hubbard), D. Muir (Little Boy Blue), P. M'Grouther (Jack Horner). Misses Wright and Yule (teachers) played the accompaniments. This concluded the children's part, which was thoroughly appreciated by the audience. The teach res had spared no pains to instruct the children, and the result was a credit to them. Messrs P. H. Taylor, P. Tait, P. Batchelor, and A. ’ N. M'Gibbon sang several songs, and were encored. Mrs F. Taylor played the accompaniments. Supper was provided for all, and concluded a pleasant evening. School Brook-up.—On Friday afternoon parents and children gathered at the school, and were addressed by Mr W. Muir (chairman) and) Rev. A. M'Master, of Mataura. A book was presented to each child first, wren, special prizes for merit to L Muir

(Standard VLT), J. Glover (Standard VI). G. Taylor (Standard V), E. Muir. (Standard IV), M. Hannah (Standard III), M. Muxr Standard II), D. Blair (Standard I), B. Taylor and O. Burgess (P. 3), R. Glover (P. 2). Sewing prizes—R. Blair and G. Taylor. (Standards V and VI), E. Muir (Standards lll.and IV), M. Muir (Standards I and II). Neatest exercise book, J. Muir. Twelve pupils won attendance certificates—a. good record considering the wet season and rough roads. These were N. M'Lachlan, R,. and B. Aitken, M. and D. Taylor, M. and D. Muir, J. and J. Glover, B. Dickie, and G.. and G. Taylor. Spelling' prizes were won by A. Aitken, G. Collie, G. Taylor, M. Muir, anl I. Mi'Grouther. A. Aitken, who gained an endorsed competency at the February examination, has now got her proficiency. During the year Miss Wright has given several prizes on her own account for quarterly spelling. races in each class, and these were diligently worked for. Merit prizes were also given by her and Miss Ynle. Miss Yule (assistant teacher) is going to the Training College .next* year, and general regret is felt by pupils and 1 parents, as she has given great, satisfaction. Miss Wright will also miss her pleasant companionship. The two teachers had a nice home in the sohoolhouse until the recent fire, which was a big lass to them. Mties Yule was presented with a hairbrush and hand mirror by. B. Muir on behalf of the pupils. A beautiful souvenir book of the Great War was presented to each pupil also. Paces were run for money prizes for an hour, when tea and cake were dispensed, and the gathering dispersed at 5 o'clock. No prizes for attendance are given now, as was customary before the war; which I think is a mistake, as they take the whole year to earn, over bad roads and in rough weather, and it says much for country children who show great fortitude in attending every day.- I could give several instances of brave little fellows, but space will not allow to-day. No garden prizes* were awarded this year. The gardens, while looking well, are all very late. Horse Drowned.—Mr D. Wight had the misfortune to lose a valuable horse on Christmas Night through getting into a, flooded ditch and was drowned. The rain fell very heavily and flooded creeks and ditches.