District News.

Southern Cross, Volume 17, Issue 15, 24 July 1909, Page 7

District News.

WAIANIWA NOTES. The weather during the month has been exceptional from an agricultural point of view—few frosts and practically no rain. The result is that farming operations are well advanced, and provided the weather is favourable all crops will be got in in good time in the spring. From all appearances an average aeea will be put under oats again, but there is no gainsaying the fact that farmers are tiring of graingrowing, now that the price is practically at a minimum. Two factors which will tend to diminish the area of oats grown are the difficulties met with in coping with the Canadian Thistle, and the more profitable and less laborious branch of farming, viz. rearing of lambs for the lamb export trade. Stock are in excellent condition so far, but there is abundant evidence that turnips are a good deal less plentiful than formerly. The crops in most instances looked well, but the fact remains that they do not stand much feeding. It is always a pleasure to note improvements in a district, and it is my pleasing duty to record the fact that Mr J. G. Steans, the well-known jWaianiwa storekeeper, has ju3t completed substantial, and one might say imposing, additions to his store and dwelling-house. The latter has been increased by four additional rooms, and an entirely new store has been constructed. This is a welllighted and commodious structure, a'nd fitted with every convenience, which will tend to facilitate the growth of a steadily increasing business. The fittings are equal to any Dee street grocery, and reflect,' great credit on Mr Steans, who is in a large measure responsible for the designing. Attached to the store is a post office and telephone room, admirably arranged, and a private room for Mr Steans' own convenience. Mr W. Cartwright was the builder, and 'Mr Steans expresses himself as being satisfied to a degree with Mr Cartwright's and his able assistants', workmanship. Mr Steans entered into occupation at the beginning of this week, and the sincere wish of "your own" is that the exigencies of business will in the near future demand a ( further increase of accommodation. BLUFF NOTES. I (Held over from last issue). Mr Jas. Wixon, who has been long resident at the port, was presented with a nice travelling rug and umbrella on the occasion of his leaving , to take up his residence in Gore. Mr T. Stewart made the presentation, and testified to the recipient's many good qualities. Mr Wixon feelingly responded, expressing pleasure at the surprise sprung on him. A common sight in the mam street latelv is what is known as the corporation's brewery-cart standing in front of the blacksmith's shop with a number of buckets on top. It has been suggested that the City Fathers have been doing too much experimenting lately with the new cart and buckets. . An item of interest to local Friendly Societies is the request of the chemist for an increase of an extra 2s per member per annum. If not interfered with there should soon be a fine crop of oats growing on the wharf. The green stuff is just now nicely coming through the cracks. This, of cotirse, may be some new experiment. The s.s. Turakina' arrived m the Straits on Tuesday evening, and the tide being suitable, Captain McDonald went out to bring her , in, but for some reason the skipper of the Turakina would not come in till morning, probably not liking the dark. An occurrence that has not been seen for &.' long time was noticed at the wharf on Tuesday—not a vessel of any sort excepting the tug and dredge, and the only eutter to be seen was the "Scow." BLTSFF METHODIST CHURCH. There was a large audience at the Bluff Methodist Church on Tuesday evening, when the choir and orchestra (under the baton of Mr E. Johnson), rendered the following programme:— Anthem " O Lord, how manifold, choir ; solo, Mr Davies ; duet, "Down the Vale," Misses Hutton and Crozier ; anthem. "Fear not, O Land," choir ; solo, Miss Keinan ; recitation, Mr Edge ; antfcem, "All my heart this Night," choir ; solo, Miss Erasmusson ; duet, "Maying,"- Misses Hutton and George ; anthem, "The Radiant Morn," choir ; duet, "Nocturne,"

Misses McQuarrie and Crozier ; solo, "Ailsa Mine," Mr George ; glee, "Let the Hills Resound," choir ; reading, Miss Roderique ; solos, Messrs Davis and Rasden ; anthem, "Thou Crownest the Year," choir.

The singers were all in good voice, and the listeners, judging by the applause, were heartily appreciative of what was undoubtedly a most enjoyable entertainment. A substantial collection was taken up in aid of the ladies' guild funds. The Rev. G. P. Hunt presided, and announced that a humorous lecture on "Humbugs" would, be given in the church next Tuesday, and the "Forest Fair" held at the Drill Hall on August 4th, sth, and 6th. This function bids fair to be as successful as any of a similar kind held in former years. Mrs Crozier is the honorary secretary and treasurer, and all concerned are sparing no efforts to make it attractive. WEDDING AT RIVERSIDE. On Wednesday, 14th July, a quiet i wedding was solemnised at Riversside, Winton Plains. The contracting parties were Janet Honeyman, second daughter of Mr John Thomson and Donald Gardiner, of Lochiel. Only the near relatives of the bride and bridegroom were present. The Rev.. Mr Mackie,- Winton, performed the marriage ceremony. The bride was handsomely attired in cream crepoline. She wore a gold brooch and carried a shower "bouquet, the gifts of the bridegroom. Miss Maggie Thomson was a charming bridesmaid. She was becomingly dressed in cream delaine, and wore a pretty brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr Chas. Gardiner acquitted himeelf well in the position of groomsman. After the marriage ceremony the company sat down to the wedding breakfast, which was tastefully spread in the large dining-room. Various toasts were honoured. Mr McKillop, in felicitous terms, proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom. He said that he had known the bride for the past eighteen years, and in glowing words he lauded the young lady's worth. He then paid high compliments to Mr Gardiner. Mr Gardiner responded, and suitably acknowledged the compliments paid to his wife-; as for himself, he was afraid he did not merit all that was said. He then proposed the health of the bridesmaid. In reply, Mr Chas. Gardiner was very happy in his remarks, and was sure the bridesmaid deserved all that was said of her. The Rev, Mr Mackie then proposed "Tne Host." .He spoke very feelingly of the worth of the late Mrs John Thomson, and praised the "Thomson family." Mr Thomson said that he was sorry circumstances did not permit of his having a larger gathering, but he hoped those present would enjoy themselves. Mr and Mrs Gardiner were the recipients of numerous gifts. MAKAJREWA. The bachelors of tho district held their annual ball in the achoolhous© on the erening of the 16th inst,, and played hosts to a large number of guests. Mr T. Spencer made an excellent M.C., while Harvey's orchestra left nothing to be wished for musically. Mr R. Graham catered for the supper very satisfactorily. Dancing was continued till 4 a.m. on Saturday, with several intervals, during which songs were given by Messrs Price, J- Mclnerney, and T. Cooke, and a hornpipe by. Mr W, Murphy.

The joint secretaries —Messrs A Tunnicliffe and W.. Sinith—did their work well, and the gathering was voted one of the best held here for a long time.