WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 29

WAIKOUAITI.

April 8. — Smce last writing the weather has been all that could be desired until to-do y. This weather changed, however, and this morning dawned cold and cloudy, making the outlook for holiday-makers anything but pleasioit.

Return of Trooper Townsend. — We ha^ebeen on the gui vive all the week, looking out for Trooper Townsend, who arrived h°re from South Africa on Thursday night. His reception was of the heartiest, as readers of your other columns will readily see. AYaikouaiti has now reduced such functions to a fine art, and one only needs to say that his was no exception to the rule. The returned trooper has bled for his country, being wounded in the foot on the march to Pretoria. He also had eight weeks of enteric, but is Withal as strapping a specimen of the colonial Tommy Ackms as one could wish to see. A remark passed in the volunteei camp this morning illustrates my meaning. I said to an officer, "I stippose the contingents took out the pick of your men. "Yes/ was the reply, " and Waikouaiti sent four of the pick of those who did go." Well-deserved praise.

Volunteer Camp. — The Mounted Battalion went into camp ou Thursday night, and have helped the township to assume a particulaily hvely look. The various corps, althoug'i not up to full strength, mustered fanly well, tho Otago Hussars, North Otago and Mamototo Mounted Rifles being present. Fortunately most of the officers were m attendance. Amongst those present I noticed Staff Surgeonmajor Coughtrey, Captain and Adjutant Stronach, Hon. Lieutenant and Quarfcei master I'aik, Sergeant-major Caidale (of the district staff;. Sergeant-maior Gillies (Lattahon ser-geant-major), and Trumpeter-major Rutherford (N O. Mounted RJies>, Caotam Nichols (commanding the camp), Lieutenants M'DonaiJ and Holmes ; Otago Hussars — Captain Crosby Morris, Lieutenants Freeman, Orbell, and Pram, Mamototo Mounted Rifles— Captain Logan and Lieutenants Trotter and Law. A gieat deal of useful woik was done, including tioop and battalion parades, outpoot, skumishing, and general observation woik, besides the usual camp duties. On Satuiday all the hilla eastward of the township were occupied, attack and defence being undertaken, and to-day (Monday) extensive operations were carried on all over the hills of Puke+eraki. Parades, etc., filled up Sunday moining, and in the afternoon Surgcon-majoi Coughtrey, in the unavoidable absence of the vicar of St. John's, conducted church parade, at which a \ery large number of civilians assisted. The canip will lie. broken ap this afternoon, and all appear to be well satisfied with the work put in, ard greatly indebted for the infraction given.

The Holidays.— As I previously wiote, the weathei has been very good till to-day, when the rain interfered somewhat with outdoor enjoyments. A large number of visitors arrived by every tram, and the place is pretty well livened up. A goodly number camped out, many visited the camp, and the beach proved very attractive. Poor bunny and the ducks have suffered a little, but I am glad to say that, so far as I know, the lagoon's sanctuary has been observed by all. The Independent Wesleyans held their picnic to-day in one of our beauty spots (Townsend's Bush), and m spite of the unfa\ourable look of the sky, the fixture passed off pleasantly. The Anglican S.S. picnic, postponed on account of the Queen's death, takes place to-monow on the beach.

Church Services. — The services usual to Eastertide have been well attended in the various churches. Of course the Anglican Church make most of this festival, and the energetic vicar of St. John's has done his pait well. In addition to the usual services, Holy Week was marked by a series of "Lantern" services, the subject being the "Passion and D«ath of our

Saviour." A powerful lantern and extensirj" set of slides (kindly lent by the sisters of tl,jH church) weie used, and the nariative given, | principally m Bibl° woids, by the vicar. TheseJ services Jie held at Goodwood Church oi»; Tuesday, Karitane Nati --j Church on WednesV day, Palrnerston Church on and SIJ» John's Sunday Schoolroom on Good Friday.^ The congregations were largo an<"l devoi + , nitinyi, being unable to get m at \>aikouaiti, and tha Melancsian Mission funds will be assisted ma- 1 tenally by the resultant offertories. There was also a celebration of the holy communion, at 7 30 a.m. each day in St. John's, excepting Good Fnd?y, and festival evensong on Easter live. On Easter Day the clerical services were — Pnketeraki, holy communion, au 7, St. John's, holy communion, at 9, St. Ma-ry's", Palmerston, holy communion, at 11, Goodwood, evensong, at 3 p.m.; Waikouaiti, evensong, at 630 pm. At most of these services the congregations vero large — that m the evening at St. Jc'in's being crowded. As the offertories are on Easter Day the offerings of the people direct to the vicar, it is pleasant to know that his untiring efforts in the parish, ars appaiently recognised, as shown by the very good collections, these being the largest known, in the district. Holy communion was also celebrated this morning, and is set for tomorrow (Tuesday m Easter week). There is to be rrothei atterrmt made to-night by means of a concert to wipe off the debt of £11 still remaining on the repairs to the vicarage — an attempt which I trust will be successful.