WAIKAKA DISTRICT.

Otago Witness, Issue 972, 5 September 1889, Page 17

WAIKAKA DISTRICT.

September 3.— The weather has been dry and windy for a number of days, and farmers expected to commence harrowing in a day or two, but as a good deal of rain fell last nijrht this work will not be entered on till near the end of the week. There haa been very little oa's sown, and few have sown the little wheat they intend to put in. The majority will take all thia week to complete the ploughing, and some will not be finished till next week.

The Knapdaib Chuhch. — Last Tuesday was a red letter day to the majority of the people of Waikaka, Ohatton, and Otama, a new minister (Presbyterian)—the Rev. Peter Ramsay, of Kumara — being duly Inducted in charge of the Knapdale parish, which comprises the three districts named above. Several months have elapsed since the previous minister— the Bey. W. Wright— resigned, in order to accept a call to the Otepopo charge, and it is only now that the district is the happy possessor of another minister. The induction ceremony took place in the Enapdale Church— the first erected of the four— on Tuesday afternoon, the 27th ult. The Eev. H. Kelly, of Woodlands, preached the sermon, and after the usual questions had been put and satisfactorily answered 'by the Rev. P. Eamsay, the Rev. J. M,, Davidson, of Mataura, delivered the charge to the minister, and the Rev. R. Wood, of Lower Mataura, the charge to the people. Thereafter, the newly Inducted minister waß introduced to members of the congregation as they retired. Later in the afternoon a soiree was held at the same place, the attendance being very large in spite of the cold and showery state of the weather. Some ventured the remark that it was a fortuitous circumstance that the weather was unfavourable, otherwise the church could not have contained the people. As it was, there was not sitting room for a number. The church treasurer, Mr R. E. France, read a financial statement, showing the amount of money that had been raised in the district for various purposes connected with the church. From this it appeared f,that since the tirre of the Rev. Mr Wright's induction in February 1883 there] had been raised by .subscriptions and soirees for build ing and maintaining the four churches, a sum of JB9IO, which with the addition of the Synod's grant of £667 10s amounted to £1587 105. The total of the other amounts raised for church purposes during the flame period was £1968 10s 6d. Thus a grand total of £3556 Ob 6d had gone for the churches and work in connection with them. The Rev. A. Mackay, moderator during the vacancy, occupied the chair, and delivered an interesting and stirring address. He was followed by the new minister, who created a very favourable impression indeed. Thwn followed the Revs. Wood, Kelly, Davidson, and Dr Copland. Votes of thanks were accorded to all concerned, and a very harmonious and enjoyable meeting came to a close. It only remains to be mentioned that a powerful choir, conducted by Mr B. Fisher, sang a number of hymns during the evening, and that Mibb Fisher presided at the organ with her usual ability. I had almost forgotten to mention another little matter — viz., the presentation of a cheque to the Rev. A. '.Mackay for services rendered during the vacancy.