HOKONUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 31

HOKONUI.

November 30. — The weather is still very unsettled, and crops and grass are conespondingly backward. There has been piactically no warm weather this season. If the weather does not take up soon, it will be serious for farmers. People who have sown turnips early say they are a complete failure, and will have to be .sown over again.

Hokomu's New Church. — The new Presbyterian Church was formally opened and dcditarted on Wednesday, 20th inst. The Rev. James M'Caw (formerly of this parish, but now of Pahiattia, North Island) was not present. All would have liked to have seen him on this" occasion, but the distance was too far to travel. Before leaving here Mr M'Caw initiated a church building fund by holding annual soirees. At the first entertainment £5 was laised. Every year the amount taken at these annual festivals kept increasing, +ill in five years the amount in the bank to their credit was £45 Bs. It will be gratifying to the initiator to know thrt this small scheme of his has been instrumental in the erection of a church, including stable for horses, costing over £350. and that it was opened on the date mentioned free of debt. The ooening ceremony was conducted by the Rev. G M'Donald (parish minister), the Rev. J. Gibson Smith, and the Rev. J. dimming. The Rev. Mr Smith preached a very eloquent and impressive sermon fiom I John, chap i, verse 3. Many people expressed the opinion that it was the finest sermon they had ever heard in this country. In the evening a social was held in the school room adjoining, which was ciammed to the door. The Rev. G. M'Donald presided, and was supported by the Revs. J. Gibson Smith, J. Gumming, and James Baiid. The rev. gentlemen spoke m glowing terms of the new church, expressing the opinion that it was the nicest building of its size in New Zealand. The following contributed to the vocal and instrumental part of the programme . Mi=ses Wilson (2), Kirk, Jamie B on, and Mrs Dalzell, Messrs Clark, M'Wilham. Wilson, Tilley, Gilmour, and Longie. The ladies of the congregation provided the tea and "'cake, the quality of which was of the first order. The refreshments were handed round at Jioth beginning and end of the evening. Votes of thanks were accoided to the speakers, singers, and others who helped to make the affair a success.