Matakanui.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 351, 29 January 1903, Page 5

Matakanui.

(From our own Correspondent.) THE WEATHEK. We had a copious downpour of rain on Saturday night last, and all day Sunday, and in consequence the grass and other vegetation has a beautifully fresh and green appearance. This has had the effect of putting the farmers in a good humor, as rain was beginning to be badly wanted. The miners have also a full supply of water again, which, owing to the very hot weather of the previous week, was beginning to get slack. Shearing finished at Matakanui Station on Friday last, and the shearers have gone on to Hawkdun Station. This last rain will retard their operations there for a while. It is to be hoped they will be able to go right through when they do start, as it is getting very late on in the season, the constant showers both here and at Moutere having delayed the shearing considerably. SCHOOL PICNIC, The annual school picnic was held in the Matakanui homestead plantation (kindly placed at the disposal of the picnic committee by Mr and Mrs Laidlaw) on Thursday, 22nd inst. The spot was an ideal one for a picnic. The pleasure cf strolling among the beautiful trees, in which the place abounds, or to be seated comfortably among the long fresh grass in some shady nook, and to be persuaded by some dainty fair one to have" just another half-cup of tea," or " just another German biscuit," had |p be experienced to be fully appreciated, especially on such a hot day as Thursday last. A good programme of sports for the children was gone through, and some of the youngsters got away with a very good day's wages, the sum of JB6 having been distributed among tbem. The sports committee endeavored to give each child a prize. The young lads and lasses amused themselves playing outdoor games such as * kiss in the ring," etc. Unfortunately " Your Own*" did not fee any of the kissing, and, more unfortuate still, did not participate in any. ; A slight shower of rain coming on about 6 o'clock stopped the proceedings a little earlier than otherwise Would have been the case. However, as there was no distance to go, for abundant shelter, and 88 the rain did not last long, everyone was enabled to get up to the hall perfectly dry. Here again tea, cakes, &c, were banded round, *ftf? Vfhkh the children w*rt fivftna,

few dances. Subsequently, their elders took the floor, and kept things going merrily until an early hour on Friday morning. At intervals songs were sung by sereral ladies and gentlemen, which added greatly to the evening's enjoyment. Mr J. Truesdale (violin) and Miss Wall (piano) supplied excellent music, whilst Mr J. Pauley made an efficient M.C. Personally I have been to a good few picnics in Central Otago, but I never remember being at a more enjoyable one. I take this opportunity of congratulating the ladies' committee (who worked up and controlled the affair) on the success of their undertaking. A special word of praise is due to the excellent chair* woman (Mrs Duggan) and to the energetic and indefatigable secretary (Mrs R. Sheppard). The parents are also under a debt of gratitutude to Mr and Mrs Laidlaw for the use of the grounds, and also to Mrs Laidlaw for her kindness and hospitality. Mr Laidlaw was busy with his shearing, and was unable to be present, much to the regret of the committee and those present. However, lam sure no one regretted his inability to be present more than Mr Laidlaw did himself.