The Country

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 35

The Country

LAKE COUNTY.

March I.—There was a decided change in the weather on Sunday, when' a cold »nap was experienced. Cold showers fell ©n Monday, and there was a little snow ©n the mountain tops. On Tuesday the weather cleared, and is again very warm. Horticultural Show.—The annual show, under the auspices of the Arrow Horticultural and Industrial Society, was held in the Garrison Hall, Arrowtown, on Friday afternoon and evening last, and was a pronounced success. Notwithstanding the severe drought experienced in the district, the entries were well up to previous years. There were good attendances afternoon and evening, the doer receipts showing a slight increase on last year’s figures. Under the direction of an energetic committee and most capable secretary (Mrs R. 31. Douglas; everything in connection with the show passed oft smoothly. The following were the judges Flowers, fruit, and vegetables, Mr T. Daniel (Invercargill); cookery and sundries, Mrs L. J. Lynch (Queenstown); industrial- exhibits, Miss Margaret Hamilton (Queenstown); children’s section, Mrs F. W. Chard (Gibbston). Wedding:—A wedding of district interest was celebrated at First Church, Invercargill, «n Thursday last, when Miss Mary M'Lean, daughter of Mrs M'Lean, of Pine Bush, Southland, was married to Mr Frank Johnson, elder son of Mr and Mrs C. P. Johnson, of “ Grace Hill,” Mornington, Dunedin. The Rev. J. L. Robinson officiated at the aeremony. The bride, who was given away By her brother, Mr J. W. M'Lean, of Coronet Peak station, Queenstown, was attended by two bridesmaids—her sister Miss Georgina M'Lean, and Miss Edith Johnston, sister of the bridegroom. Mr Harold Johnston, brother of the bridegroom, was best man, and Mr William M'Lean. brother of the bride, was groomsman. Fifty guests were afterwards entertained at a reception At the Mary Elizabeth lounge. Mr and Mrs Johnson’s future home will be at Arthur's S’oint. Personal.—Miss Mary E. M'Loes has berm appointed assistant teacher at the Arrowtown public school, in place of Miss M. Grant transferred. Miss M'Lees has been assistant teacher at Orepuki for the past two years. - Mr Robert Cockburn, who has been visiting .relatives in this district for the past few months, has returned to his home in Queensland. Death.—General regret was expressed throughout the district on Tuscday last when it became known that Mrs Thomson, wife of Mr James A. Thomson (Lake Wakafipu Steamer Service), had passed away suddenly that morning. Some months ago Mrs Thomson was laid aside with sickness, but for the last few weeks she had been About again, and appeared to ba recovering her health. The late Mrs Thomson was a daughter of the lare Mr and Mrs James Keay, of Queenstown. For many years she was chief stewardess on the lake steamers, and was very popular with the travelling public.

OTAUTAU. March I.—The new Presbyterian Church ivas dedicated at Otautau on Friday evening last, when there was a large attendance, Visitors being present from all over Southland. Prior to the opening the Rev. Mr Bickerstaff referred to the history of the movement, and handed the key to Mr John Fisher, the senior elder, that he might Apen the building. Mr Fisher was presented with a miniature gold key as a memento of the occasion. The service inside the building was conducted by Professor R. K. Davies, M.A., Kuox College, Dunedin, who afterwards dedicated the building to the worship of God, and gave a stirring address. A collection was taken up, amounting to £6O 10s, and was supplemented later by an . anonymous conation of £5O. making the £rand total £llO 10s. After the benediction had been pronounced the large gathering adjourned to the Town Hall, where the minister of the charge presided. Excellent addresses were given by the Rev. M. Gow (moderator of the Southland Presbytery), the Rev. J. Lawson Robinson, and the Rev. L. Snell, the latter conveying hearty congratulations on behalf of the Anglican Church. Feeling reference was made to the fact that the Rev. A. Macdonald. M.A.. was unable to take part in the celebrations, he having been instrumental in raising a large portion of money for the building. Supper was provided by the ladies. The following donations were made: —The baptismal font by Mr and Mrs George Low. the communion table by Mr and Mrs John Fisher, the Bible by Miss Drinnan, the pulpit hymn book by Mrs Outselling, and the pulpit cushion by Mrs J. N. Brown. The following were also accepted:—The pulpit chair, by Mr N. R. Lightbody (architect) ; the minister’s and elders’ chairs by members of the committee ; the vestry chair by the Sunday school teachers; the vestry table, by the senior < Bible Class; and the flower stands on the pulpit by Mr R. H. Walker. Mrs Bickerstaff also collected £54 from the members of the congregation towards the furnishings. , Tennis.—The members of the A Grade team defeated Nightcaps last Saturday by 9 sets (95 games) to 7 (68 games), while thev also had a win at Tuatapere on Wednesday by 14 sets (100 games) to 2 (56 games). So far Otautau leads in the Western District competition. FERNDALE. February 27.—This month has been one of sunshine and heat. There have been some good showers of rain, however, which have kept crops from suffering from drought. The turnips, in fact, look very healthy. The oat crops are nearly all ready for th? binder, and some are already cut. There is one good - crop of fescue in stook, on Messrs Junors’s place, -waiting for the threshing mill. Til's has been a good season for the dairy farmers, but the cows are going back in their supplies now. The weather is getting perceptibly cooler. On Sunday we had a fine cooling rain. The whole district is gradually improving, showing the result of liming and top dressing. Change of Ownership.—Mr Shim from Balclutha, has taken possession of the farm recently occupied by Mr Waddley. WAREPA. . March 3. —The weather still continues dry, and a good rain would be welcome, but it is ideal harvest weather. All the autumn-sown crops are in the' stack, and the spring crops in the stook. Rape .is suffering the most. Turnips are standing out the dry spell' _ days are getting shorter, and

the heavy dews have a wonderful effect on the turnips. We are now finished up with Sidey time, and I do not think anyone will be sorry. A lot of farmers just worked the time that suited them best. If it is carried another year a good deal less work will be done on the farms. There is not a third of the ground under cultivation now compared with 20 years ago. Some farmers have sold off teams, and are simply grazing their farms.

Jubilee.—The all-topic of conversation is the school jubilee in April. A good response is being met with from ex-pupils from a distance. The committee expects to have to cater for 200 persons at the banquet, and the picnic and the concert are open to all. Warepa expects to have a record crowd for Easter.