WAIFOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2603, 3 February 1904, Page 31

WAIFOUAITI.

February 1.-At the Boiougn Council meeting on 25th uit., it was decided to hold the weekly half-holiday on Wednesday, as usual, xhs mover of the resolution remarking that he hoped soon to sep Saturday appointed by the Government as the day to be generally observed The Mayor and ot&er councillors agieed with the remarks of the mover, and thought no great, hardship would result to the public if Saturday was mads compulsory throughout the colony. Musical Picnic— The Choral Society, band, and the members of the various choirs in the township journeyed to Pnketeraki on Wednesday afternoon, where a combined ' musical picnic ' was held in Mr J. Pratt's paddock. The band played several selections, and outdoor games were indulged in by the irere active ones of the party. The afternoon passed awayvery pleasantly, and it is hoped that this will not be the last of such gatherings Presentations.— A number of friends of St. John's Sunday School met in the schoolroom on Thursday, the occasion being the presentation of some tokeus of estec-ni to the Misses Townsend and Heckler, who are leaving- after being scholars and teachers in the school for many years past. The vicar (Rev C. A. Fra"r> presided, and said that it was with regTPt fiey were losing the services of the lad'ea^ieTe^-ed to, and he- was sure they all wished M:s3 Townsend much happiness ir> the sphere of life which was about to open for her, they also recognised the need which impelled Miss Heckler to give up her school work. Mr Fraer then presented Miss Townsend with a handsome metal teapot, and Miss Heckler with a valuable purse, both of the articles bsmg suitably inscribed with name, etc. M>- Townsend, sen., responded on behalf of his daughter, and Mr H. Heckler for his sister. Messrs £>avis and, Hallett also spoke briefly about the good work so freely performed by the two ladies as Sundayschool teachers. Afternoon tea was then dispensed, and musical items followed, Mis 3 Mudge giving a piano solo, and songs being contributed by the Rev. Mr Fraer (" Tc-rnorrow will be Friday") Miss Thompson (''The picture turned to the wall "), Mr Davis (" Barbara Alien"), Miss Coker ("The bail.ffs daughter"), and the Rev. Mr Jones (" Lads ancl lassies, won't you buy 9 '').

64th Anniversary.— A meeting of the Early Settleis' Association was held in the Council Chambers <.n Wednesday to make arrangements for the forthcoming 64th anniversary of Waikouaiti. The Mayor (Mr R. Templeton) presided, and strong committees were formed to make the necessary arrangements. It 13 hoped this anniversary will be quite as successful as the former ones have been, as the various committees are working hard to make the gathering a pleasant one.

Merton Picnic. — On Thursday, 28th January, Mr and Mrs John Duncan, of Corner Bush, gave an invitation picnic to the residents of Merton and district, and between 300 and 400 persons availed themselves of the c] rortumty to have a sbcial outing. The hesfc and hostess were indefatigable in forwarding the pleasure of the guests. Games and races were bold, presents being provided for the winners, and refreshments ;n; n abundance handed round. Before the company dispersed, the Rev. A. M. Finlayson returned thanks on. behalf of the guests to Mr and Mrs Duncan for their kindness and generosity, and complimented them on the successful manner in vhich the affair had passed efr\ At night a dance was held id the woolshed, Mr James Bell acting as M.C.

St. John's Church, Waikouaiti. — St. John's Schoolroom was crowded on Thursday evening, 28th inst., with parishioners and friends, the occasion being to bid fcrewell to the Rev. C. A. Fiaer, who for the past three and a-half years has had charge cf the parish, and also to welcome the Rev. H. B. Jones, the new vicar. The Mayor (Mr R. TempLeton) acted as chairman, and, after explaining the object of tbe gathering, said it afforded him much pleasure to be there to do honour to Mr Fraer. and to recognise his exceptional labours in then midst and in the surrounding dnlrict. Nci only had Mr Froer taken upon hirnseif an extra amount of church work, but he hid also taken an active share as a citizen m different ways. He had bj-en chaiiman of the School Committee and of the Public Library, and had been a prominent member of the District Impiovernent Society. They had thought it right to give expression to their appreciation of Mr Fraer'9 self-clenymg services, and he had theiefore tha pleasant ta<-k to perform of piesenting him with a purse of soveieigns i.s a token of the respect and esteem in v.h Hi he w.is held, ill Hallett (v, car's warden), on beha'f of the Ladies' Guild. Sunday School and choir, then pre seated Mis Fuier with a si'ver-mounted bicad boaid and knife and Master JaiT>e3 Sninih on behalf oi the chi'dren's Bib'e classes at tin Public School predated a shaving mug to Mi Fiaer. Mr S R Smith also lvi ded a silvermounted whip to Mi Fiapr. After returning thanks for the kindness =ho-i\n Hm then, and ai all times since he iiacl bcp'i 1:1 the parj&h, th< Rev. C A. Fiaei nifids some remarks on piioehial affans. saying that although he liked Waikouaiti, and had hoped to spend many year? there, yet he felt it hi<- duly to accept the call, when it was made him. to go and woik at St. Stephen's, Kaiapoi. He hoped they would extend their sympathy and hsip to his successor. v.-horn he was pleased to introduce to them. The Rev. H. B. Jones spoke at some length

in church matters, expressing the wish that he might not only give religious instruction, but might be the means of bringing religion home to the lives of the people committed to liis care. The Rev. J. J. Cairney, minister of the Presbyterian Church, who occupied a seat on the platform, said he wa3 glad to bear his testimoney to Mr Fraer's energy and good qualities. Although he liked to see a man strongly attached to his own faith, as Mr Fraer was, he would like to see the various clergymen drawn nearer together in their work for the good of men's souls. He welcomed the 2Rev. Mr Jones to Waikouaiti, and, in conclusion, exhorted all to be loyal to their church and minister. Mr T. Alloock (parishioner's jwarden), and Mr J. N. Stewart, on behalf of 'the general public, also spoke briefly. Refreshments were handed round, and the new vicar was introduced to those present. During the evening a musical programme was gons through, piano selections being given by the Misses Allcock and Mudge and Miss Templeton, and songs by Mrs Bell, Misses Fodor, Thompson, and 'A. Templeton, the Rev. Mr Jones, and Messrs Stewart and Pratt.