WAIRIO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2433, 31 October 1900, Page 33

WAIRIO.

October 27. — What glorious spring weather. Some days it is hard to realise we are not in mid-summer. Never has the country looked better at this time of the year. In some fields th 3 oat crop is almost covering the giound. Lambing is over. The all-round percentage is excellent, owing to the ideal lambing weather. Health Note. — AS mild form of whooping cough has run its course in our school, and has greatly inteifered with the attendance.

Ecclesiastical. — Last Sabbath our Presbyterian service was taken by the Rev. Mr White, Wallacetown, whose able discourse was much apreciated. Monday evening the Rev. Messrs White and Macdonald convened a meeting to hear the wishes of the people re an ordained minister — would we go under the Clmrch Extension or be constituted a separate charge at once ? It was agreed that we go under the firstnamed for six months, till it is ascertained what amount can be raised. Messrs Ayfon, Robertson, M'Kenzie, and Ronald, with Messrs Hall and Clapp (Nightcaps) were appointed to go with Revs. Messrs White and Macdonald on the .following day to select a suitable site for a manse, and after consideration it was decided to purchase 10 acres from Mr Ritchie, just on the oiitskirts of Nightcaps township. There is some dissatisfaction expressed at this, as some think the manse shoukl be where the bigger congregation is, and that is here. Since the advent of Mr Pringle the attendance in our church is very encouraging. On a fine Sunday seating accommodation is taxed to its utmost. Mr Pringle has won his way into the hearts of the young as well as eld, as the attendance at weekly choir practice and Bible class certifies, last week there being present the record of 41. Before that the average was over 30.

Stock Sales. — The annual meeting of our Saleyaxd Company was held on the 20th, and was, as is customary, poorly attended. I would cry shame on those shareholders who stand afar off and criticise the actions of the directors (always the same men in that position — the others have no time to waste over such matters), and when a dividend is declared are the first tc come and demand it, and grumblingly say, "Bad management, or there would be a larger divy." A very pleasing balance sheet was laid on the table, showing that although new yards had been erected and improvements, etc., to the extent of over £100 had been Carried out, they were able to declare a dividend of 7£ per cent. Police Protection. — I am very pleased indeed to see that at last we have a policeman in our midst who does his duty without fear or favour. He has just succeeded in ferreting out and bringing to book some of the young men (?) in the district who committed a cowardly act on a respectable resident one Sunday evening.