Lumsden.

Southland Times, Issue 14785, 31 October 1900, Page 3

Lumsden.

(from our own correspondent. ) A change is to be made after the Ist prox. in the running of the mixed train over the Waimea line. It appears that instead of making Lumsden the terminus, the train will run through from Kingston to Gore daily, and from the traffic that has been passing over this piece of line for months past the alteration is warranted. The 1 poking little yard at Lumsden lias been completely blocked up many a time Avith Kingston goods. The change will reduce the population of Lumsden a bit as a few j families will have to shift to Kingston. I also notice that the present through service is to be continued four times weekly. I understand a tender has been accepted for the erection of a building to replace the Koyal Mail Hotel, lately destroyed by fire. The structure is to be of brick, of the most modern design, and with every appliance and accommodation required in a first-class hotel. If everything is carried out as designed there is no question that the building will be an ornament and improvement to the township. We have had our share of amusements lately ; first of all we had a visit from the Balfour Church choir, who favoured the Lumsdenites with a service of song, " Uncle Tom." They were fairly well patronised, and the atteudance would have been larger if more notice had been given. Then we had a wedding "at home" in the public hall. This was well attended, but was, of course, an invitation assemblage. On Friday evening last the annual school entertainment was given. On this occasion it was almost entirely a juvenile programme. Mr Small, chairman of the School Committee, presided. The first part consisted of a piano duet by Misses Davies and Miller, " Rule Britannia ;" " Soldiers of the Queen ' and "Red, White and Blue" by the children; recitations by Master Fraser and Mr Ussher ; song by Miss Grant (encored) and selections on the piano by Master Aldndge. All of the above were rendered in a most efficient manner, were well received, anci. loudly applauded. The second part was a piece called "Punch's Party." Master G. irohr.sor, took trie -part, of Puiicfa, MISS 1)111111 was Judy, and Miss Elsie Milter was Queen of May. The piece was well put on, and the general "get up" was good, and although foTeofthe g childVenwerealittleweakmtheir Ss an the whole it was a pronounced success, thechildren's action songs being partSrly well done. I understand these werTworked up under the tuition of Miss were woi* £ Th head teacher, Mr assistant Mr J. McKenzie, must also have worked hard, sparSeitheV time nor trouble, and could be &£_» else than satisfied with the reception f^Jfffrte of the ohildren and themselves met S At the close Mr Small moved

the votes o£ thanks incidental to the occasion, and stated that financially the entertainment had been a success and would put the committee in a position to do some necessary work at the school. Miss Millar acted as. accompanist, except in the action songs, when Miss Grant presided at the instrument. After the school entertainment a danco was improvised, was well attended, and kept up till midnight. The weather up this way has been exceptionally fine; Aye certainly have just had a bit of fresh in the river, but the season is a wonderful one. The percentage of lambs all over the district is exceptionally high. On Castle Rock pairs and triplets are unusually numerous, and one farmer was telling me of a ewe being mother of four at a birth. The new vaccination regulations are out, but it strikes me that very- few will go to the trouble to secure an exemption certificate, unless they hold particularly strong anti-vaccination views. 29th Oct.