WAIKAIA.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 9, Issue 642, 11 February 1887, Page 5

WAIKAIA.

(Prom our own Correspondent.) It is a pity that a good thing should, ever do harm, but I am afraid that ths heavy rain that has fallen this week will prove unwelcome to many of our farmers. The crops, too, were in magnificent condition — tall, free. from rust, and just white for the harvest. How* ' ever, there is not likely to be any continuance of bad weather, and I think we may anticipate an unusually good yield. No sign yet of tenders being called for the formation of our railway, and we were so faithfully assured that this should be done in January, but the promises of Parliamentary men are poor things to rely upon. February 5th — Since the above wa» written we have had a most unfortunate continuance of rain. and storm. This cannot but do injury to crop? so ripe as are the greater part in this district. Sometimes it does seem that the very elements combine against the un(or- '' tunate farmer. The rain will fall just when it is not wanted ; the wind will blow just when the grain is ready to be shaken from the head ; and the sun ■ will not shine when his beams could do most good in drying up things: And j with all the rain and wind the weather: continues close and muggy, and ij should think most unhealthy. ' A large load of timber arrived atj Wendonside a few days ago for the use , of the School Committee, and I hopes in my next to be able to Bay that a; good start has been made and all things • going well. The weather has been kinder to the Church than to the farmers, for Wed- ; nesday evening la#t, when the anniversary of tho local Presbyterian Church J was held, was one of the most delight- 1 ful evenings we have had for a longj time. " Your O wn," much to his regret, j was unable to be present, but if I may I judge from the flattering' and en-i thusiatic praise bestowed upon all who' took part in getting up the Soiree the' affair must have been an unqualified! success. An unusually large amount of good things were freely contributed.; The gardens about must also have been; laid under heavy tribute, for the tables: were profusely and tastefully decorated; with flower p. 'lliere was a good! attendance, the gentler sex of course; predominating. The following lading presided at the tables : Mrs Davidson' and Miss Galloway, MissTretheway and! Miss Cameron, Mrs Girvey and Mrs; Taylor, and they did . everything in: Iheir power to make the guests* welcome and at home. It took some time to' satisfy every one, but aUengtlj the tables were cleared and every one* found seats to listen to the speeches* etc — The Choir sang the hymnl • Toiling On.'— The Rev. W. P. Brown then gave a short address.— The, Chpirf i 'Over Jordan.' — The rley. MrCameiron' (of Riv,erton) then gave a most humorou* speech. Extracts would fail to do justice to it, but it caused the greatest merriment. — The Choir : 'Shall we meet beyond the River.' — Mr McKenna to!d some anecdotes, and. added a few words of general gpod advice, speaking principally of the wealth of meaning and comfort to be derived from the common Faith, Hop^, and Charity. — Selection by the Cboir. —Rev. Mr Wright fof Knapdale).saiil he was more accustomed to preaching sermons than to telling humorous stories, ao he would give ihem a sermon, and it was an impressive one. — Choir. •Glory to God-' — Mr Johnson, superintendent of the 1 cal Sunday School, gave an outline of the year's work, and thanked parent's for assisting in buying now books for the Sunday School Library. — Choir • * We're going home.' —Rev. W. P. Brown added a faw word 3of thanks for contributions sent in, and especially thoie so kindly given by the Roman Catholics of the district. He announced that the usual picnic for the children would take place in the manse paddock next day (Thui'sday), and proposed a voto of thanks to the choir and the organist, Miss Collie. — The choir sang ' The Christian's Goodnight,' after which the Rev. Mr Cameron pronounced the benediction. Thursday proving a hopelessly wet day the picnic did not take place till Friday, und then the w. a her was all i that could be desired. The little ones ' gathered in the afternoon, and were first regaled with cake and tea, and then I adjourned to the manse paddock. By four o'clock, not only nearly every '

place, ,had forgotten every care in the games of '-Jolly Miller/ 'Kiss- in -the RiDg/ and « Tug of \yar/ and the fun was fast and furious. A dance on the green followed, but the long summer day proved too short to satisfy the .merry-makers, came .of #ie- youoger spirits -organised! a?^aW^in-Mr Bell's Hall, and it kept up nimbly .till midnight. Of Qourse, tne dance in the jbal) had no connection whatever with the Church soiree.