WAIKOIKOI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2286, 23 December 1897, Page 29

WAIKOIKOI.

December 20. -The atrocious weather of tbe past month threw farm work greatly iuto arrears, and it has not yet gained its normal place. Turnip sowing will be continued unMl after New Year, and the sowing of grasses will alto be later than usual. The braird of early sown, turnipa ig, however, as far as I have seen and learnt, coming regularly and looking healthy. Nearly all tumipi in this district are sown in fl.*t drills and with artificial manure. Tbe old system of broadcast sowing is obsolete, and ridged drills are found to be too expansive. The quantity of manure u^ed ranges from ljowt to 21-swt per acre. The classes used are almost innumerable, but in the southern end of the district Maiden Island guano takes the lead. Oats and rvegrass are vow shooting up rapidly, and both give promise of a fur yield. Soiree. —The Presbyterian Ohurch anniversary soiree was held on Friday evening last, and the attendance was good. An excellent tea was provided by the ladies of the district, and speeches were delivered by the Rev. G. Millar (Waikaka Valley), Mr Tait (Merino Dawns), and Mr Howell (Papanui). The annual report, read by the chairman (Rev A Begg), showed tbat the church was in a prosperous condition both tpiritually andfinancially. Seven persons had joined the church by examination, and one by certificate, and three disjunctions had taken place. Seven children had been baptised. The Sabbath school was in a flourishing condition— it had a staff ot i>ix teachers, a muster roll of P5 children, and an average attendance of 55. Financially the church had done better than on previous years, its total receipts amounting to £115. It commenced" the new ye»r with a credit 'balance of j£9 10-i. At interval*" during the evening the choir rendered anthems in excellent style ; Mrs Begg presided at thn orean. The usual votes of thanks ter-

initiated a most enjoyable and profitable evening. Weekly evangelistic berviccs will he conducted in the church, next month.

Scholastic —The recent examination of the 'Kqi and Merino Downs schools resulted most satisfactorily, there being a full i>ercentage of passes in both cases. A distribution ofpT-izss to the Merino Downs children took place last Friday, and was followed by a picnic. Both schools close this week for the season's holidays.

Complimentary. — The Witness Christmas Number is much appreciated by your 'Koi readers. The illuitration? are voted excellent and the literary poition decidedly above the average. A large number of copies will be mailed to friends in other lands.