WAIMATUKU.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 39

WAIMATUKU.

February 6. — The weather has been exceedingly dry, with warm winds, so that harvest is much earlier thar usual. The introduction of new reapers, the repairing of old ones, and other preparations, indicate that harvest is approaching — too soon, some thins, as the 'rain won't be well filled.

Combined School Exciirsio" --On" January 25 the combined schools of Waimatuku. Waianiwa. and Wallacetown held their excursion to Colac Bay. A school excursion it was; but there were more adults than children, so that, to keep accounts properly balanced, many of those responsible for the function had to purchase ticket* for chi'dren not in existence. The day was windy, but on walking Tound to the lee sids of the most beautiful bay to a spot sheltered by the buslr and hills, and facing the sun. thp day seemed an ideal one for the outing. The great adventage these excursions to the seaside have ever picnics held in a local paddock is that in the former the children need no entertainment, wading in the sea or watching the tertainnient, while in the latter keeping the children amused is a heavy task on the proimoters.

Roads. — The road c'rnitraotors aTe taking advantage of the good weather, and are getting on with forming and gravelling. Soon an unformed. uneraveMed road: will be a thing of the past. Gravel being- so easily procured,, owing to the nature of the subsoil, the wonder is that our roads have not been gravelled long ago. The Schoolhouse. — Our school buildings are being repaired by the board's carpenters, so that after the ■painters hay* finished their •work the educational premises will look almost new, and will be » wonderful contrast to the school fence, which ia, to saj the

least, in a sad state. This will, perhaps, soon be remedied by the School Committee, for the material to put up a new fence has been on the ground for many months.