WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 35

WAIKOUAITI.

May 14 — From information gathered up by the loca! constable it seems plain that the fire that occurred early on Thursday morning last at the Merton Church was quite accidental. There had been a choir practice the preceeding evening, and preparations had been made for the anniversary social which was to have been held in the church on Thursday night. Three young ladies stayed behind to give the finishing touches to things, and they left about 9.15 p.m., all the lights being put out properly, and everything apparently all right. The fire was first noticed about 6 o'clock he next morning, but the building had then collapsed, and nothing could be saved. The church waa built about 20 years ago, and was in very good preservation. It was insured 1 for £300 in the National Insurance Co., but the estimated value of the building 7ar. £450. It is probab'.o that the iujb ahurch that will lie erected will

aot be ao large, as the old one was rather -for" big for presenrt requirements. Presentation.— Quite a large number of persons assembled in Mr White's workroom on Saturday night, 12th inst., to bid good-bye to Mr John Ferguson, who is leaving for North Dunedin. Mr B. W. Fell (Mayor), in a very appropriate speech, said that it had been thought proper not to let Mr Ferguson leave the locality without letting him see in what respect end esteem he wps held by all those he had come into contact with, and he had therefore much pleasure in presenting him witha purse of sovereigns as an expression of their good feeling and regard towards him. If more time had been allowed, no doubt more would have been only too happy to join in with ihepresent company. Messrs Malloch and Jamieson also bore testimony to Mr Ferguson's popularity, and hie very obliging disposition as he made his trade rounds. Mr Ferguson, in. reply, said the seven and a-half years he had! lived in Waikouaiti had been the pleasantes* he had ever had, and he would have liked to have stayed in the place for good, but, unfortunately, he nad to move on. He felt their kindness very deeply, and thanked them heartily for their expressions of goodwill. Dairy Factory. — The intake of milk at the locrl dairy factory ia almost lOOOgal daily. The manager does not expect 'that he will close every second day fo. about three weeks yet. The "Merton and Goodwood creameries are open now on foul days a week only. Native G?.me. — The Waikouaiti lagoon is a great attraction now to visitors and passersby in the trains, who are pleased to see the great number of ducks and swans frequenting' the lake. At times the surface of the l*ke isblack with native game, and they seem to be** quite at home, and to know they aTe safe from molestation there.