WAIKAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 22

WAIKAKA.

June 18 —On Wednesday eveninglast a meeting was held in Bell's Hall to consider the question of the Switzera-Riversdale railway, Mr Colin Robertson in the chair. There was a very fair attendance. The Chairman explained that after paying all expenses incurred at the outset there was still a balance of £18,500 odd, which having been allotted to this railway, rightly belonged to it, but had been transferred elsewhere, and what they wanted was a man clever enough to get it back for them. He believed tha with this sum. and £6000 more— £24,ooo in all— this line could be completed. Mr Robertson estimated that this proposed railway would directly benefit 60,000 acres of first-class land, 40,000 acres of second-clasi land, and 100,000 acres of pastoral land. He calculated the posiible population of the district at 2500, and considered that in justice the Government should render them the necessary aid. Others also spoke. A progress committee wa3 then formed to watch over the interests of this projected line. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair.

Mutual Improvement Society.— The second meeting of this society took place on Friday evening. There was an excellent attendance. Songs, music, a reading, essays, and discussions helped to pass the evening away very quickly. The singers

wereMesdameßH. Hardman and Milne, MissHardman and Mr B. Hamer. Mr Robert Rae gave a violin solo, Miss Stirling read a paper on 'Domestic Servants," and Miss Orcheston an essay on Dress," which provoked considerable discussion.