Orari Bridge.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3539, 25 January 1900, Page 3

Orari Bridge.

(From our Own Correspondent). A slight change in the weather, accompained by a warm rain, has rather hindered harvesting operations in this district, but at the time of writing the clouds seem to be lifting. Some good crops of oats are to be seen in the neighbourhood and is plentiful. The contractors for the new bridge over the Orari here are pushing on their work, and the planking is going down rapidly; if the weather is at all favourable five or six weeks will see the bridge opened to the public. When finished it will be a good substantial piece of work, with only one fault: that of being too narrow. The annual school treat was held in the school-ground shortly before the school broke up and was a decided success. In the morning the children were taken for a drive round Geraldine by Miss B. Button, with her large drag drawn by five wonderful little ponies. It is almost needless to say that this novelty was immensely appreciated by the children and elicited three hearty cheers in the evening. Miss Button’s kindness in helping the various schools is well known, and the drive behind the smart little ponies will long be remembered here with much pleasure. In the afternoon games and sports of all kinds were held, the chairman and several members of the committee working hard to make the day a success. Special running prizes were presented during the day by Mrs Mackenzie, Mrs Killoh, and Mrs McDonald, and by Messrs Dawson and Cooke, and the finishes for these were exceptionally exciting. After tea three cheers were given for the committee and three more for the ladies who had helped with the eatables during the day. During the present weeks the girls of the school were presented with their sewing prizes, all of which, with one exception (that of Mr J. Dawson, who gave a special prize of half a dozen handkerchiefs) were made and given by the sewing mistress, Mrs Began. The prizes' comprised many handsome pieces of work, and much praise is due to Mrs Began for her goodness in making so many valuable articles. The sewing was judged by Mi's Kenneth McKenzie, assisted by the Misses Allpress and Templer, and the thanks of the committee are due to them for the care and thoroughness, with which they carried out their difficult task. The awards areas follows; —Standard Vl—Alice Metcalf 1, Nellie Began 2; Standard V—TVinnifred Hewson 1, Elizabeth Smith 2, Mary Began 3; Standard IV—Kalio Scully 1, Sybil Metcalf 2, Lillian Keen 3; Standards II and lll—Marjorie Templer 1, Nellie Keen 2, Bridget Scully 3; Preparatories Mary Fitzpatrick 1, Margaret Markham 2. A special prize given by Mrs Kenneth McKenzie, for the best behaved girl during sewing hours, was won by Mary Fitzpatrick. Many ladies and gentlemen have expressed a wish to give prizes next year, and it is to hoped that special prizes will be given, not only for sewing, but for such things as attendance p.nd special merit in any of the school subjects. The examination of the school was held on December sth by Mr A. Bell, M.A., and passed off successfully, only three children failing to pass their standards.