WAIPAWA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6070, 13 September 1881, Page 3

WAIPAWA.

(FROM O"WE, OWN COEEESPONDENT. ) September 12, 1881. The anniversary of the Loyal Abbotsford Lodge of Oddfellows, an event which is usually looked forward to with considerable interest by residents generally of this district, takes place at Waipawa on Thursday. Should the glorious summer weather which we are to-day enjoying in this pait of the world hold out, as there is every prospect o£ its doing, I opine that Thursday will be a busy day for our usually dull township. Aa on former occasions, the celebration will assume the compound form of sports, proceßsion, dinner, and ball — rather a formidable programme, one might well be inclined to think, but, nevertheless, a programme which hitherto has always been spiritedly carried out, and, I might add, enjoyed. The dinner and ball will, of course, be the chief attractions. "Creature comforts" which, I have reason to believe, will be of a quality far surpassing anything attempted in that way down here for several years past, are to be provided by a new caterer, whose genius in cooking is to be mad 9 manifest to the Waipawa public on this occasion for the first time, while such delicious nectars as those bottled by Hennessy, Dunville, Teacher, Gilbey, and other great men t>f note will be aupplied at the hands of a select committee. In the right time and manner you shall have the benefit of my unbiassed opinion of the whole thing — meantime I look forward and hope for success. Talking about Oddfellows reminds me that the half-yearly meeting of the Hawke's Bay district will he held at Takapau on Wednesday evening next, when nominations will be received for the appointment of district officers for the ensuing year, and other routine business transacted. Delegates from the several lodges throughout the district are expected to be present, so that there is a probability of a good gathering. As anticipated in my last, Sir Arrow's lay religious services at the Oddfellows' Hall have commenced to fade very visibly away on a second trial. Yesterday very little encouragement met the promoter and conductor. An attendance of five adults (three women this time) put in an appearance, and between the lecturer and the antics of a few small boys ranging from Beven to thirteen years of age, they managed to put in an hour pretty comfortably. Seriously, I look upon the eocalled services as a melancholy farce and

J burlesque on religion. So say fifty others. The annual examination of the district school was hold by Mr Hill on Friday last, when there was a large attendance of. pupils. I understand that the Inspector was highly pleased both with the progress made by the scholars and the appointments, &c, of the school. Aa soon as his report to the committee arrives, however, I shall be better able to speak with authority on this matter, and give you true particulars.