OWAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 33

OWAKA.

November 24. — A meeting was held in Paterson's Hall on the 3rd for the purpose of enlolling the r.ewly-accepted .volunteers, when the total complement of 63 names was ( handed in, and the members duly sworn ,in by Mr A. C. Saunders and Mr J. Craig. J.P's. Mr A. Richardson was elected as captain, and Messrs H. Allan and T. Latta as lieutenants. The first' parade was held on Wednesday, 7th, when a, full muster of the company took , place, the members being put through a few movements by Captain Richardson and Lieutenant Allan. Cemetery Fund Concert. — A concert in aid of the cemetery funds was held here on November 9. The night being all that could be desiied, the attendance proved highly satisfactory. Mr Crai^ fulfilled the duties of chairman very creditably. When Trooper Mitchell, of Balclutha, made his appearance the Owaka portion of the Clutha Mounted Rifles formed a bodyguard up the centre of the hall, and the returned trooper marched to tht. platform amid much applause, and to the accompaniment of "Soldiers of the Queen." After being introduced by the chairman, Trooper Mitchell spoke of his experiences in South Africa for about 20 minutes. The following programme was then gone on with: — Opening piano solo, Miss Vial ; song, "Mary of Argyle," Mr M'Kenna;' violin solo, Miss Stewart (Balclutha) ; song. "Jack's come home to-day," Mr Guthrie; Highland fling in costume, Mr M'Kenzie; son, "Annie Laurie," Miss M'Lay ; violin solo, Signor Squarise (Dunedin) ; song, "Home they brought her warrior dead," Mrs M'Lean; violin solo, Signor Squarise ; song, "I fear no foe," Mr L. Chambers; song, "Sons of the Empire," Mr M'Kenzie; song, "My home is on the sea," Mr 'M'Kenna; duet', "The curfew bell," Messrs j Wilson and M'Latchie. After the usual votes of thanks had been passed, the meeting closed with "God save tbe Queen." I believe the . proceeds amount to between £19 and £20. Social. — The annual social in conn 'ccion with the Presbyterian Church took place bore on the 13th. Owing to the very inclement night — wind, "hail, and rain — the attendance was not at all large. Besides our awn minister, Rev. ,T. F. Macallister, there were present the Rev. Messrs Kilpatrick and Fraser, and Mr Axel.ton (Ratanui). After, the Rev. J. F. Macallister had given a very encouraging and satisfactory statement of the work done in the past year, and Rev. P. B. Fraser had spoken on the difficulties of belief and unbelief, Mi M'Lellend (Ahuriri) was called upon, and said he had in the name of the congregation a very pleasing duty to perform — namely, that of presenting Mr Kilpatrick with, a purse of sovereigns as an acknowledgment of his having acted as moderator in a most willing way during our rather long vacancy. Mi Kilpatrick, who seemed much surprised at the present, thanked Mr M'Lellend and the Owaka folk, and assured them that he had only done -what any of the piesbytery would willingly have done. During -the evening the choir rendered hymns, anthems, etc., tea, as usual, being provided by the ladies. Votes of thanks and the Doxology brought a sociable evening to a close.