WAIKAIA

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 28

WAIKAIA

Mahch 14. — Harvest is now in full swing, and the farmers could not have better weather for the ingathering of their crops. The yiald of grain promises to be well up to the average, and as prices appear to be finn bomething like a satisfactory remuneration for their labour may be reasonably expected. Cemetery.— l am pleased to see that at last steps are to be taken to put cemetery matters on something like a satisfactory footing. For many years the whole responsibility has rented on oue man instead of on five trustees, as required by the act. At a public meeting: held last week it was resolved that a nomination uf fresh trustees ba made on April 15. Advantage of this date is to be taken to hold a concert in aid of the funds, ■which are not in too flourishing a condition. A strong concert committee has been formed, and as it is their intention to secure as much outside talent as possible the programme will no doubt 6e unusually attractive. I'hete can be no question as to the worthiness of the object. Our cemetery is in a, sad state of neglect, and its unattractive and desolate appearance is a cause of comment by every stranger who happens to visit" iK The improvtmeut of "God's Acre" is an object which »ppeal3 to the support of tach individual member of the community, and no doubt the effort that is now being made will be heartily snpporied, so that there may be funds in hacd to go on &t once with the work of putting it into something like decent order.

Drowning Accitjent. — I regret to hays to chronicle thi<! -week the death by diov/ning of James Brand, an 01-i identity, bjt'er known as "Skipper." He came to Swiizers in 1861, anil though not the oldest inhabitant in point ot years was the 1 ngest-time resident in the district. In 1882 he joined his mate Leonard Roberts (who survives hiiii), and continued his partner right up to the time of his death. Thirty six years is a long time for two men to live continuously as "mates." 'They havj never been away from Waikaia, anJ have seen its good times and itu reverses 'I hey have been quiet, inoffensive citizens, following their occupation of mining with varying fortunes. Much sympathy is felt for Mr lioberts in the severance of a tie which must have had much in it akin to that of actual brotherhood. Deceased was aged 6*3, aad was buried on Sunday, when the funeral was numerously attended.

The Beeak-'eji-all.— ltissatisfactoiy to notice that the deadlock which has existed for pome lime in connection with the construction of tho Break-e m-All rsce ha 3 coma to an end. Two of the contracts have been let afresh, and work is to be recommenced to-morrow. It is certainly a hard matter that men who have to rain their money at snch toil should have a difficulty in getting the wages due to them. It is to be hoped that the work will now proceed to the £ai3h without any further hitch.