OHAUPO.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 241, 29 January 1898, Page 3

OHAUPO.

Picnic—The Ohaupo atnual school picnic was held in the school grounds ou Wednesday last. These picnics are becoming a recognised feature in the several centres of the Waikato, not only as a treat to the children, but also to the elders, who for one day in tho year can throw dull care away and join with the youngsters in their innocent games. It was amusing to see old buffers' and elderly maidens playing French tig, blind man's bluff, etc. There was a good gathering of all ages —I should say about 250. More young men would have attended, but were busy in the harvest field. It has been suggested that the latter end of February or March would be a more suitable tin e to ho'd the school picnics, as by that time all the harvest wculd be ov«r. There are about CO children on the school roll, and each child got a pr'ze of some sort, the seoior classes books and the jun ; ors toys, besides the prizes that were wen at the racing competitions. The following were the winuers in the several events : —Boys' Race, under 8 years: V. Sittaur 1, "W. Shaw 2. Girls under 8 : B. Edwards 1, M. McNicol 2. Boys' under IS : W. McNicol 1, W. BarteUu 2. Girls' under 13 : E. Cowley 1, K. McNicol 2. Open Schoolboys' Race (handicap), 120 yards: J. Laurie 1, M. Siitaur 2. Big Girls' Race : M. Morrith 1, E. Roche 2. Four-legged Race : This was rather amusing. Three boys in cash team had their legs tied. After a close finish it was won by the three smallest boys, although a great many b'g lads competed. The winners were W. Bartells and the two Sittaurs. Girls' Race, 100 yards : T. Corrigan 1, A. Hunter 2. All-comers Gil W Race, 100yds :M. Cubis 1, J. Stewart 2. Married Ladies' Race : Mrs J. Park 1, MisT. Prince 2. Young Mens' Eace : A. Cowley 1, M. McC*be 2. Young Ladies' Race : E. Roche 1, M Cubis 2. Sack Race : D. McNicol 1, W. McNicol 2. Mens' Bace (allcomers) : M. Colhoun 1, C. Chittenden 2. By this time tea was ready, after which a move was made for home ; and, although the day was hot, every one seemed to enjoy themselves. The members of the School Committee and t! e master succeeded in keeping the ball rolling, so there was no lack of amusements. Madames Edwards and Boukowsky also deserve credit for their assistance. In the evening a dance was held in the Public Rail, when about forty couple attended, many of the young people coming from other districts. Mi;<s McLean presided at the piano, assisted by Mr Jones, on the accordion. Dancing was kept up till about 2 a.m., when the party broke up, everyone having thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Wheat Hakve9t.—l am glad to say that so far as I can hear, the wheat harvest tbia season will be one of the beßt we ever had in the Waikato ; no mat and the ears are well filled with a flood plump grain ; in many cases from 30 to 40 bushels to the acre is expected, and will likely be realised if this fine weather lasts. The oats crop too is not so bad as was expected ; the caterpillars seem to have disappeared, although they were threatening enough in the beginning of the mouth, so that everything points to a prosperous year. The turnips also have niade a good start ; that rain a week or so ago was a Godsend, and did a lot of good. I cannot say much about the potato crop yet, but I know the main crop this year was put in much later than usual.—(Own Correspondent).