OKAIN'S BAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7831, 10 April 1886, Page 6

OKAIN'S BAY.

[fbom ottb own cobbespondent.J A good deal of grass seed continues to be shipped from this bay. During the present week two small craft have been laden with it. The past season was an exceedingly good one for the 'entire district of Banks Peninsula. lam informed that not much less than £IOO,OOO worth has been the result of the late harvest. The producers, therefore, must have netted a handsome sum, if even but one-half of the above quotation is profit. The expense of ingathering it is much less than that of grain. The quality, too, is excellent, there having been such dry and fine weather for securing it. Cheese.—The cheese industry, also, continues to flourish here, some tons being shipped every month of the year, excepting the winter months, when it is arranged that the cows shall be dry, excepting a few required for domestic use. The Okain's people are justly proud of their cheese, for which there is a ready demand. New Hall.—A great want has long been felt, in the shape of a hall wherein to hold public meetings, entertainments, &c. The sehool not always being the best place or proper place for such. This difficulty has now almostjjeen overcome, for the residents are erecting a large hall by donations and shares sold. It is the intention of opening the building in a fortnight or three weeks time I believe with a bazaar during the first day, and a social gathering in the evening. The ladies of the district are busy working for it, and a good many settlers I hear are intending to send in gifts of live and dead stock for a gift auction. It is expected, therefore, that a good sum will be got on the opening day. The School.—A change of masters in the O'Kains School has recently taken place. Mr. J. Hutt, master for some years past, having left the service to settle in another province, and Mr W. H. Walker, late of Otago, having been appointed to the position thereby vacated. Previous to Mr ! Hutt leaving the disrrict, he was entertained at a social tea by the residents, in the school.

Eeligious.—The Eev Mr Hamilton conducts religious services in hia usual acceptable manner fortnightly. Mr Hutt acted as lay reader in the absence of the clergyman, j