WAIKOIKOI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 11

WAIKOIKOI.

February 19. — Owing to the very moist weather we have been experiencing, there is a <* O od deal of ryegrass still in the stook. The general harvesting will not commence for about three weeks yet. Turnips are looking well, and grass is abundant.

. Patriotism.— ln common with other parts of Otago and Southland, we have been patriotic in a practical manner during the past week. The result of a meeting and », hurried canvass of the district was to raise the sum of £SQ, wherewith to provide with a horse and equipment volunteer Mr Robert Simmers, jun., while a further sum, sufficient to equip Mr J. Robertsou, of Glenkenich, has been subscribed. The volunteers named have lived amongst us from their boyhood days, and are popular; hence we shall watch their career with the closest interest. The Merino Downs part of the district, too, has been doing its duty. A patriotic concert was held in its schoolhouse on Saturday night, and was in every way a most successfill affair. The best talent in the neighbouring districts was brought into requisition, and the audience was enthxisiastic. A list was circulated in the room, and £17 subscribed within five minutes. The admittance money and other sums will bring the total up to about .525. Mr Hugh Shanks was a most capable chairman of the gathering.

Educational.— The local committee voted for Messrs Mackenzie, Mitchell, and Snow, and the Merino Downs Committee for Mackenzie, Snow, and P. B. Fraser, for the Education Board vacancies.

Our Pulpit. — In the absence of our clergyman on his annual holidays, the Rev W. Hewitson, of Dunedin, occupied the pulpit yesterday, and drew a large congz-egation. His discourse was a masterly one, and was listened to with rapt attention. Rev. P. B. Fraser preaches next Sunday.