OTERAMIKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 11

OTERAMIKA.

February 22. — The weather is wonderfully good, and is favournble in every way for growing crops. By the time tins gets into the hands cf your msny readers, the rattle ot the reaping and binding machine will be heard. There will be a large quantity cf oats threshed this season, on account of the good prices ruling That being so, there will be less oat sheaves for chaff, which should keep that commodity at a good paying price to the producer. All the new settlers on the Morton Mains estate have, wonderfully improved their holdings, and they seem to be quite satisfied with their selections. The Grange Farm, in the sanie--c!istrict, but near the Kapuka railway station, has now been given over by the late owner, Mr T. Jefcoate, to Mr A. Miller, of Dipton, who purchased it sorae months ago. The farm is- still- being. fuither cultivated and improved by Mr Miller, who will soon make it secoiid to none in Southland.

Railway Tiaffic. — The Seaward Bush railway is doing a good business, and for the convenience of the settlers and workmen a train is lun from Inverca-rgill to Waimahaka on Saturday nights, leaving the former place at 10 p.m. I often hear complaints from the travelling public of the roughness of the riding in the trains, especially in their starting, when occasionally the passengers find themselves in each other's laps and sometimes on the floor of the carriage, and I fear that unless this is remedied, instead of the people going to market some of them vtf.ll be taken to the hospital.

Schools. — The three schools in the district have all got into working order again, after their holidays. The school at Kapuka still holds its own, though the board has removed the Gorge road School fco the railway siding apparently on purpose to draw some of the scholars from Kapuka thereto, which it has done. But for all that, the attendance at Kapuka averages upwards of 50. The temporary building they meet in is quite inadequate, and for over two years this state of things has existed, and we are all wondering when the board will mete out justice to this new settlement, which has come to stay.

Social and Eeligious. — There is no lack of social and religious gatherings in the district. Robinson's Hall at Kapuka is often in evidence for one or the other, and at the Presbyterian Church tho other week tho induction of the Rev. Charles Gray to the Oteramika parish took place. In the evening of the same day the church was filled with young and old, who partook of a bounteous tea provided to welcome their new minister, who has lately arrived in the colony from Scotland. This being his first charge, I trust he will have a happy career, and be among the wise ones by-and-bye. After the tea was over suitable and pleasing addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs Smith, Curnxning, Paulin, Roby, Bissett, Gray, and Mr Rosevear. During the evening the choir, assisted by friends, gave some capital selections, to the edification of all present. Votes of thanks having been accorded to all concerned, the meeting dispersed, well pleased with the evening's entertainment.