WAIKAKA.

June 9. — Mr G. H. Evans, a very old and respected resident, passed away last week. Mr Evans came to the elistrict when yet Waikak i was merely a collection, of canvas shanties, and the surrounding country an open sheep walk. He lived long enough to see the country all settled, and a new era open out in the dredging industry. Tho late Mr Evans was highly respected by a wide circle of friends. Our Cemetery.— The "Waikaka Cemetery is still an eyesore to a good many people here. 'Hie trustees are short » of funds wherewith to> improve the site, and, seem to lßck 'the energy or initiation to obtain the money for that much-needed purpose. One constantly hear^ the remark made, "When the bodies are put in the ground at Waikaka that's the last of the dead!" and if one may judge of the amou.t of respect paid to the "dear departed" by the appearance of the Waikaka Cemetery then one may be pretty sale in saying that the dend Ji3 forgotten in that wild uncultivated wiidt"ness. If this outward appearance is a fair p «■- tuTe of the inward remeiubr uic\ tl f_n m>' ii safely say the sorrow, the tears f-heel by the open graves, the piay.ng, tl'c low-^poLt a words, the hush anel awe, anel the many other solemnities and trapping* by whic-Tj we do s-o much love to surround the l™st sad r-'cs avc merely a theatrical farce that we shake oft" as soon as we are out ol the gate. In its present state the cemetery is either •<> disgrace 1o the district as a standing example of downright meanness, or it is an open illustration of callousness not to be approached m tlie colony. Weather. — Lately the weather has been faiily mild, and so faif ive ha#e not liael mtny severe hosts. (Jore-Kelso Railway.— The district *s again up m arms, and the residents propose to muke their voice heard in connection with the Gore to Kelso railway. The people of Waikaka have been pushing and making a noise this last few months, and now the (5 01 cites and Southla.nders arc taking -..otice of tke project Theie ia no kiua of question that the railway will open up a splendid country and afford untolcl benefit uivjii a lot oi highly-deserving settlers, as well as being the direct msa3:s of settling an enormous area of fine agricultural ccuntiy now heid undar grazing license by various ruuholde-s. Xo doubt *: th" Sou 1 !!- Isnd people stick together tlry will have a big char.cc of geUing the hue constructed. There is no hiie"~propO:=ed, or that is likely to be proposed, that promises a surer and n quicker return on the capital likely to be expended. Mr M'Xab, M.H.R., at a meeting lately held in Gore, told his audience that ha knew of !no othir district in the colory- and he knew a good deal of the- colony — ".'I which a railway is more hke'y io yield such splendid result-i <>■» this hi^ HoweveT, in this mittfi it might bo stated that perhaps no district in the coloiiy has been treated so badly as Waikaka Noith, Chatton, Wendon, Greenvale, Glenkemch, Merino Downs, etc., have. These districts were' in the first instance largely settled thioujrh the promises hold out to the early settlers. It is to be hoped, now the question has been widely taken up, that Southland will stick to the promises that have been mado to them, and battle on like Britons until the lailway is an accomplished fact. Local Bodies' Finances. — Our focal bodies are year by year compelled to face a constantly increasing outlay with an insufficient mcomr. The tremendous traffic ou om road=, and generally late autumn traffic, is =uch that =o poon as the farmers begin to cart away their grain the light shingle gives way, and down through the formation go the cart wheel-. Members of the local bodies are at their wits' end to make things meat, and sooner or later an increased rate will have to be levied to pay off back scores and keep up road formation. Seme of the roads through Cpntral Chatton are at present in a very bad state, ai.d a good number of the outlying countiy road= urn al-o very bad. The heavy dredge-carting v. oil: has clearly shown the ratepayers v. hat they -nill have to expect in the near fvture. Peace. — Very little shr was made lieio on the declaration of peace bccomnig noised about. The dredges blew theii whistles, but that was 3 Lout all Greenvale School. — I am given to understand that the G-ieei.vale school teachei, ill" Annie M'Donald, is leaving to take up a highei portion in one of the sonth schools. M' = s M'Donald, since her stay in that district, bas gained the hearty goodwill of the naronts of the children, a.tten.fline the school, and I am told

that a presentation is to be made to her prioii t> her departure fioni the district. Miss M'Donald will carry away with her the hearty gcod wishes of her many friends for her future success. • j Draughts and Ches*. — I hear that there is a prospect of a Draughts and Chess Club bcin^ startc-d here in a short time.