KELSO.

September 7. — At last the Waikaka people have given up all hope of getting a railway, but they have not lost courage on that account, although it is a matter of regret to many besides the Waikaka settlers that the Kelso-Gore railway was not at least partly constructed. If it had been taken in hand there would have been a possibility of getting it completed some time in the dim future. However, the people are themselves to blame for the present state of affairs. For the farmers the next best thing to a railway is a good road (unfortunately we are not -well acquainted with good roads in this locality), and this they are endeavouring to secure. Last year a large quantity of grain was carted by the Waikaka farmers to Kelso, and those who are acquainted with the state of the road will readily believe that considerable difficulty was experienced in getting over it with a decent sized load. Almost all the farmers from Glenkenich, Herriot, and Greenvale cart lignite for threshing and household use from Waikaka, so that it will be seen that the traffic is at times considerable, yet very little money has ever been expended on the road. Of course those who live at the fag-end of a country do not expect to get anything done for them ia the way of road-making. No ; I think their hopes in that direction have died within them long ago. Unfortunately in most committees there is a number of persons

who take no interest in public matters and do not apparently seem to care how public money is expended. They pay their rates to make roads, which perhaps do not require making half so much as those in their own locality, or to improve the roads in the near neighbourhood of some knowing councillor's estate, and I have noticed that the roads around councillor's properties are generally in good repair. However, to drop moralising and come to facts, it is refreshing to know that some money (not country money; is at last going to be expended on the Waikaka road. Principally, I believe, through the endeavours of Mr D. Lamb, £900"has been obtained from Government for this much needed work. Mr Lamb well deserves the best thanks of the public for his perseverance in this matter. Church Matters. —A congregational meeting was held in Glenkenich last night to consider the advisability of calling a minister to the charge lately vacated by Mr Anderson. The Rev. Mr Scorgie presided, aud both sides of the question were fully discussed. The meeting was of opinion that under the sustentation funds scheme a minister could not be supported. It was therefore resolved to take advantage of the church extension fund, as the districts would then have to contribute a minimum of only £100 for the first year, £115 for the second, and £130 for third, after which assistance from the extension fund would cease. Mr Scorgieintimated that a redistribution of the districts was proposed which would make Waikoikoi part of the Tapanui charge, while Crookston and Kelso would fall into the new charge. He said that the only place in which objection had been raised to this arrangement was Kelso. The Kelso people were, however, so far as they were represented at the late congregational meetings, in the humour for nothing but protesting, but he trusted that they would ultimately agree to the new arrangement. A motion to the effect that if the Presbytery agreed to the distribution as above, the people would consent to call a minister, was then proposed by Mr ! Jenkins and carried unanimously. It is iudeed | surprising if the fine districts of Glenkenich, Kelso, Herriot, Crookston, and Dunrobin cannot support a minister, even independently of the church extension fund. A church committee consisting of the following gentlemen has been elected for Glenkenich —viz., Messrs J. Kirk, J. Crossan, T. Jenkins, A. Sutherland, A. Russell, J. Steel, and H. Ferguson.