OTAKOU.

Otago Witness, Issue 2055, 13 July 1893, Page 23

OTAKOU.

July B.— The weather at present is fair, but the ground is very wet and muddy. We have ' had a lot of wet 1 and stormy weather during the past month. On the 9th ult. there was a heavy fall of snow, and a slight fall again on the 24th. ■ Catarrhal complaints are very common among both old and young, but the measles have almost disappeared from the district. School.— The local school resumed on the 20th ult. with a moderate attendance, after a month's holidays on account of measles^ Now, however, the average attendance is almost up to the regular standard at this season of the year. The yearly examination is expected to be held early next month. The chimneys of both schoolhouse'and teacher's residence have been fitted with revolving cowls, which add considerably to the appearance of the buildings. ' If only there were a piece '. of ground, suitable for a playground and teacher's glebe, in connection with the school, we should not have much to complain of. Religious.— ln my last notes I referred to revival services which were at that time being held here by the Weeleyan body. As a result of these services upwards of 40 persons have been converted to the Wesleyan form of worship, which reminds one that the methods adopted very much resemble those of the Salvation Army in many respects. For example, young women "talk over" young men to "the Lord's side," and at some of their meetings one after another will rise and give his or her "testimony." The young people, of whom the converts are chiefly composed, meet for religious duties on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings every week, in addition to which services are neld twice every Sunday, Everybody hopes that some solid good will come of the present movement; as larrikinism has been far too common in the past. .» Electobai,.— Who is 'going to be our M.H.R. ? We^shall be in* the Waikouaiti electorate very shortly, and, so far aa I know, nobody has made any announcement to the effect that he wishes to , represent us in Parliament. Perhaps Mr Laraach might come forward. He would be certain of a substantial majority on the Peninsula, at any rate. Somebody will surely take pity on us.