News from Tumut

Australian Town and Country Journal

8 February 1890

February 1.

Anniversary Day. - Monday last was observed as a close holiday in Tumut; and, though the weather was excessively warm, residents in large numbers went abroad to enjoy themselves according to their various inclinations.

A great crowd of young people, with a good sprinkling of older folks, attended the annual picnic held in connection with the Presbyterian Church.

The sports and games which usually prevail at such gatherings were freely indulged in; and the splendid refreshments provided by the ladies of the congregation were consumed with rare relish, and warmly commended.

Everyone seemed merry and happy ; and the juveniles especially were loth to break up their amusements when the shades of night dosed in upon the scene. In the evening the Rev. J. W. Dow, B.D., gave a lecture in the Presbyterian Church; his theme being "The Poet Burns."

The building, which holds comfortably about 400 persons, was crowded, and the rev. lecturer, who illustrated his subject with numerous readings and recitations, was repeatedly applauded.

A collection was taken up in behalf of the organist of the church, and well responded to.  

Race Meeting. - Another attraction on Anniversary Day was the race meeting organised by Mr. P. L. Cummins, the new landlord of the Killarney Hotel, at Gilmore. Fully 500 persons attended; and the unanimous opinion was that a better day's sport had rarely been witnessed in the district. The event was characterised by big fields, good racing, and agreeable company.

Mr. Cummins gets great credit among local sporting men for the success achieved.

The Weather. - This is a strangely erratic country.

While some of our distant neighbors are having too much of a good thing in the way of heavy downpours of rain, the dwellers in this neighborhood are experiencing an incipient drought. Unless we shortly receive a pluvial visitation, matters will look rather serious for the farmers.

Rain seemed to be close for several days; but a strong easterly wind carried the clouds away.

Official Changes. - Mr. D. Graham, who for about two years has had charge of our local post and telegraph office, left for Sydney to-day, he having been promoted to the position held by the late Mr. White, at Park-street.

Mr. Walter Workman, recently telegraph operator at Tumbarumba, has been appointed chief assistant in the Tumut office. It has not yet transpired who is to be Mr. Graham's successor here.

Scholastic. - Miss Marvel, a teacher in the Tumut Public School, has received the appointment of mistress of the school at Upper Tumbarumba.

On Tuesday evening last, before her departure, she was entertained by her fellow teachers at the residence of Mr. C. Willis, the headmaster; and received from them, as a parting gift, an elegant gold brooch and a valuable book, which were presented to her with many good wishes for her future happiness and success.