LUMSDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 1 September 1909, Page 39

LUMSDEN.

August 3C— Heavy rain fell during the past week, and on Friday the rivers an<Lcreeks were in high flood, but as there is little or no seed yet in the ground- no dam-ag-e is reported. Thare has been a slight delay where farmers were i-eady to commence, sowing. There has been nice drying winds for two days now, and the soil should soon be in good condition again to receive the seed. The ground has benefited much by the nice evsn soaking rain. Feed is plentiful, and 9tock are all looking well. Lambing. — A few lambt are now to be seen gambolling about, but the general lambing has not yet begun. As ewes are in good condition* and spring feed is plentiful a heavy percentage of lambs is anticipated. Oddfellowship. — The half-yearly balance sheet and auditors' report of the Oddfellows' Lodge was submitted by the secretary, ilr Jas. Martin, P.G., last lodge night (Wednesday, 25th), showing the lodge funds, etc, to be in a- very satisfactory state, and that the lodge is steadily and solidly progressing both financially and numerically The delegates appointed to represent the lodge at the half-yearly meeting at Riversdale on September 8 are P.G.s Bros. Jos. Payne* Alex. Macalister, and D. Frasar. Sickness.— A worthy resident, Mi Jas. Mar,tin, • has been somewhat indisposed for the past week, but is ' making steady, if somewhat slow, progress towards recovery. I am pleased also at having to chronicle that Mr John M'Pherson is holding his own, and with the advent of warm spring weather it is the sincere hope of his friends that he will make a speedy recovery. Accidents.— A mishap of a painful nature, which might have terminated more seriously, befell Mr J. W. Orham, of Mossburn, about 10 days ago. He. was riding down on horseback Irom Mossburn to Lumsden, and when about half way between Charters and Holmsdale the horse fell over some obstacle, rolling over its rider and causing a dislocation of the knee joint. Mr Orham was found lying on the roadside about dusk by the Mossburn railway surface gang, who promptly got the injured man aboard their trolly and brought him on to Lumsden, •where he was attended by Dr M'llroy at Messrs Crosbie Bros.' house. Mr Orham 13 still walking on crutches, but is expected to be quite recovered within a week or two. The accident is rather unfortunate for Mr and Mrs Orham, happening as it did when they were busily engaged making preparations to enter into possession of the Te Anau Hotel "as lessees. Hockey. — The newly-formed club is making'good progress towards proficiency I heard the man m the street say that Lumsden wieJder3 of the club are looking out for some neighbouring club worthy of their steel to challenge. No doubt before the season' is over, they will have an opportunity for gratifying their ambition. Football.— Two Luaisden teams entered for the seven-aside tournament,, held at Riveredale last Wednesday, August 25. One of the entrants had somewhat hard luck in being beaten in the first round. The other team, composed of four Smalls, iwo Johnsons, and one Fras&F, beat their opponents right through the tournament, thus winning the medals supplied by the promoters of the gathering. A match with some of the Lake County team 3is talked of, but the time (three days) necessary for the trip cannot reasonably be aforded by the Lumsden team, and on that score I believe negotiations will fall thiough. Appointments.— Ma* R. J. Fraser, of this town, has received notice of his appointment as manage^ O i the newly -erected dairy (cheese) factory, Ryal Bush. Mr Frasar is a young man of considerable experience as a cheese-maker. He is energetic and attentive to business, and will for certain do everything in his power to make the factory a successful and profitable concern. . MATAKAXVI. August, 20. — One r>f our young men, Mr Georee Clare, wens to a ball in Alexandra thxWvreeks neck 3anv» home in due course 3,nd continue* > «c employment with h\a mates in a rabbtflng g-J«»fe. He played, his customary energetic game of football, but a. day or two afterwards was- taker home feeling far from well. Next day he was taker to the Clyde Hoepital'and the following day his death was announced. He was buried "in Matakanui cemeterj or Wednesday "last in the presence of between 60 and 70 of his and his father's- frientla. Wedding.- On Wednesday lasf Miss Johanna Leamy, of tlm place, was joined in the sacred bonds of matrimony *o Mr F. Donnelly, of Lauder. The- ceremony was performed in the Reman Catholic Chapel at Matakanui by Rev. Father ODea in the presence of a goodly number of friends. The usual public social wa p given ;J; J the public hall. Thia convenient building is, however, wi the same block of land as the local horel, po the evening's enjoyment had to be promptly etopped at 10 p.m. _ An adjournment to tlie home of the bride's brother, however, allowed a few more hours ot the night to be spent in social pleasures. The happy bride and bridegroom received the hearty felicitation of their guests in-d departed on their honeymoon to the usual accompaniment of ; ce, etc wpio. August 27. — Since writing la^t the weather has been of the worst kind. The heaviest fall of snow we have had this winter fell on the 17tb met.. and since then the weather has beer very unsettled. Yesterday it broke altogether, and rain lias fallen steadily for about 36 hours. Creeks are in high flood, and the ground on the Hats almost a sheet of water. At the time of writing the rein ha* erased, but a heavy fog is still hanging round the lulls, and .it looks none too promising. It is to be hoped the rain will clear off soon-, as it will put a stop to the early sowing of grain, and some of the farmers in thie di'Uict have already sown some 'wheat, but th° majority are busy preparing tho ground for che seed. Sales.— Mr A.. Duncan,, cf Wai-rio, held a large gale of his horses, implements, etc., on the 25th inst. A fine day prevailed, and! a large number were present. Tbe prices for everything were exceptionally good, some of the horses selling up to - 74gs. It

| was said to be one of the best-managed, sales ever held in this district. Mr Duncan, I understand, intends letting his work by contract. Sickness.— l believe Mr Glass is seriously ill with pleurisy and pneumonia, and has been confined to bed foi over a fortnight. His condition is causing his friends great anxiety. SOUTH TATEKI. August 30. — Up to last Friday the weather remained very mild, and farmers are welf forward with their work. On Friday a nice growing rain set in, and lasted pretty well all day. It has given the grass a good start, and everything is now looking fresh and green. A lot of ground is being worked up for wheat, which seems likely to be the principal crop for the coming season Dairying. — The milk supply is now steadily increasing at the local factory, which will shortly start working every day. The i dairying industry seems to be flourishinsr as i well here as in any other part of the Dominion, judging by the way farmers are going in for cows. Messrs Kain Bros., of Berkley, Estate, Henley, have close on 200 cows, and are at present putting in a milking plant. Mr R. Robjmson, of Otokia, also proposes going in for milking machines, and is increasing his herd to about 100. ■ Social. — A dancing class under the auspices of the school committee is held in the school every Wednesday «v«ninjr. As instructor, Mr W. • Flett spares no pains with learners, music being supplied by Mr J. The annual concert and dance in ' aid of the school funds is to be held in the school on Friday evening, September 3, and Mr Frank Campbell, the ' secretary, inform? me 1 that already over 150 tickets have been disposed of. The committee has secured the best talent of the district; as well as a number of well-known visitors, to assist in the entertainment. The committee has also decided to supply refreshments free at the close of the concert, and given reasonable weather it is expected that the room, which has lately been made into a concert hall, will be taxed to its utmost capacity.