WAIKAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 17

WAIKAKA.

August 13. — During the past week the wind has been blowing constantly fronf the east. The weather has been cold and showers of rain have been pretty frequent. There have baen no oats or wheat sown in the district so frr, and there is not likely to be any sown for a week or two, as the soil contains more water at the present time than it has contained heretofore. There" will be very little wheat sown, no matter how favourable the soil may be for its reception. Some will not sow any, while a number will only put in what will suffice for their own use. The ploughing has been well pushed forward, and appearances indicate that everyone will be in a position to commence harrowing in the seed ns soon as the soil is dry enough. There will be a large area unde." oats. Meetings.— The peopleof this district lead a most humdrum life, as from year's end to year's end there is nothing to break the monotony. Deploring this state of affairs, a number of our young men endeavoured to organise a singing class lately. So far they have been only partially success'ul, as although one or two meetings have been held there is a probability of failure. It is a pity that there is so little spirit among the residents. A prayer meeting is held every Wednesday evening throughout the year in the church, but the attendance is often very small. At the present time, however, it is a little larger than it has been. The Waikska Valley School Committee held two meetings lately. The most weighty matters which trouble that august body are the leaky tanks and a new well and pump, which supplies water containing a very large percentage of clay. The members have at length resolved to overcome the difficulties mentioned. The school was closed for a fortnight lately owing to the illness of the teacher. He has now recovered, and the school was reopened this morning,