WAITAHUNA

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 31

WAITAHUNA

May 11.— The weather, a'thou»h extremc-ly threatening at times, is keeping up well, giving the farmers opportunity of getting the grain in. At best only half days can bo utilised, as there is very little drying, the absence of wind and tho superabundance of moisture retarding the stacking of grain very seriously. Threshing will commence in. the district this week. Some

isolated paiches of crop are sill to he seen standing, almost if not quite green, quite unfit for cutting as yet. Siiver "Wedding.— Tuasday, May 5, being the twenty-fifth anniversary of the wedding of Mr and Mrs J. Patrick, wha for the last 16 years have been connected with most of the social functions in Waitahuna, a number of their friends met at thd schooihouse as a surprise party, p.-nd congratulated Mr and Mrs Patrick upon p.ttaininjj their silver wedding. Mr Reid, as spokesman for the party, with many warmlyexpressed wishes for their fnturo welfare # and happiness, presented Mr and Mrs Patrick with a handsome silver cake dish as a- slight token of the esteem in which they are held by their large circle of friends. Congratulatory speeches were made by Messrs Garden, West, York. Ross, and M'Ara, and an impromptu concert followed, the proceedings terminating with the singing cf "Auld lang syne." Presentation. — Last week Mr J. Donaldson, the well-known and popular dredgemaster of the Waitahuua. Gully dredge, was presented by his crew with a set of pipe 3on the eve of his severing hi 3 counection with the dredge. Complimentary speeches usual to such occasions were made, and general regret was expressed that Mr Donaldson was leaving the dredge. Telegraphic. — A representation is to be made to Sir J. G. Ward by the Waitahuna Farmers' Club of the desirability of securing a regular telegram delivery here. Waitahuna comes under -he class named as irregular in the Telegraphic Guide, which practically means no delivery. Hitherto residents h?.ve been dapendent on the courtesy of the railway officials to have telegrams delivered, and so prompt and regular has b?en (he delivery that ninny people will be surprised to know that we are not entitled undsr schedule to regular delivery. Waitahuna has been singularly fortunate in securing the services of considerate and courteous officials, who, uudsrsianding the peculiar needs of a scattered community (as a farming community always is), are ever Teady to oblige Ipte callers for mails, etc.; but. nevertheless, many annoying mistakes and negligences occur. For the majority of these the department is to blame, as most complaints are made when the officials are new to the district. Why the department should make a clean sweep and transfer all hands simultaneously is hard to understand, unless it is to secure a chaos. The Farmers' Club might, with good reason, when applying for a regular telegram delivery, request that when transferences of officials are made at Waitahuna it shall be done singly. Only a man gifted with occult facilities could give general satisfaction in the Postal Decartment alone, unless he was well acquainted with the people, so much of the nomenclature being alike. In applying for a telegraphic delivery no complaint 13 inferred against tho officials, who are exceedingly courteous in this matter ; the motive is purely prudential. Departure. — The many friends of Mr A. M. Barnett will be pleased to hear of his aupointment to the head mastership of the school r.t Upper Junction. His numerous friends in Waitahuna will regret Mr Barnett's approaching departure, as he always took an interest in any project having for its object the welfare of the community. Mr Barnett and his family wi 1 .! rjrob-ibly be missed moat by the Anglican communion, as they hpve beer earnest and py-ergetic workfte for the church sv"ee they first name to Waifevhuna Gully. To 'Mra Barnett's knowledge of horticulture and her unw?arvinf? zeal tlr» Gnlly school is indebted for its handsome school earden. Whilst wishine Mr Barnett Croti-isneecl in his new snhere of work, his many friends can-not but regret the less they sust.iin in his anproaching departure. Accident. — Mr A. M'Kenzi» met with a -painful accident on Sp-Hi relay. Through n. bolt giving way his express ov?rfnrned. and Mr M'Kenz; p was thrown out. and sustained a broken rib and several minor injuries. None of his it.'iuries s'c very ?erious, and Mr M'Kenzie vill probnb'y be about again in the course of a few weeks.