WAIKOUAITI CELEBRATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2605, 17 February 1904, Page 44

WAIKOUAITI CELEBRATIONS.

The ruin which interfered with the afternoon celebration of tho sixty-fourth anniversary of the settlement of Wsikouaiti and tho fourth locjl one m no way militated ' against th.3 evening part of <he prcose dings, the hall being packed for the concert, tht> t success of which must have been v-ery | gratifying to all connected with arranging j the programme. Mr John Duncan, of j Corner Bush, gave some' perso/ial reminiscences, which were well received. Mr Thcmas Mackenzie was at his best, snd hia humorous reflections wero greatly enjoyed and loudly applauded. Mr Charles Duke, a vice-prt.sident of the Otago Early Seitlers' A-saociation, fairly brought down the house with one of his characteristic addresses. The concert part, to which Mrs R. Hud-son kindly gave her valuable aid, v/as a pionounced success, and the selection of the various singers reflected great; credit on the Programme Commitlee, the pieces given by each performer being admiraDij- chosen and thoroughly well rendered. The juvenile impersonations given by M:ss Rc=a la Venda, from Dunedm, were received and encored in a manner which must have been most gratifying to that young lady. Most libeial and choice refreshments were served by members of tho Ladies' Committee in the interval between the closing of the concert and the commencement of the dance. The 1 music for the latter was supplied by Mr Yates, and the dance proved nicst enjoyable, the floor not being overcrowded or the dance unduly prolonged. To sum up, this affair must be considered, in spite of the ram, a most successful one. Many old friends were- brought together, and, as usual at such gatherings, many notable recognitions took place. The very highest commendation is due to the committees, male and female. Visitors were retvivpd at the railway platform and courteously ctcorted to tho grounds, and whon there thei members of the Lad.e-:' Committee \iod with each other in anticipating- and supplying their want=. After all, tiio noce-ssit.es of tho inner man {or womjni is a very import->nt fat. ,v on such occasions, and, until sati-vSed, tbue can be no real enjoyment. Most ai^'etis'ng viands werp provided in what mry be called a most lavish manner, and supplied most cheei fully, even pressingly, all through the day, 'vnile in the evening tho supply provided would have kept ?U Waikouaiti for a wr-elc, had they been Rassiiins cordonprl by the Japs. A very gratify 3n g part of the proceedings was the in-tere-,t shown in tho celebration by the more youthful part of the community, who hitherto have been content to leave the carrying out of the proceedings to their eJJ<.rs. This year, however, it w;is noticeable that t-leyt -ley have realised it is a Waikotuuri celebration, and have tak^n part, off or on the committee, with praiseworthy enthusiasm. To the committee, ladies and gentlemen, all piaise is duo, and it is very satisfactory to state that the money outlay will be more than "recouped by the takings in the evening; but personal exertions can only be acknowledged by the grateful recollectiou of the guests. Mr Templeton (Mayor), as chairman, wa? the right man in the right place, and a more judicious selection tnaa that of Mr Harry T. Heckler as local secretary it v. as admitted en a'l sides could not have been made. To his tact, energy, and courtesy the success of the mooting was mainly due. Jt is also a matter for satisfaction that Mr Heckler has consented to act as local representative 01 the- Otago Early Settlers' Association to enrol members and receive subscription*, the business affairs of Mr D. \y. Malloch (njtnerto representative) preventing him from 1 effectually carrying out tho duties. The names of the Dunedin merchants who generously present ed valuable gifts for prizes, the competition for which could not be carr'ed out on account of the weather will be given in due course ; and, to conclude, the success of the meeting must be very gratifying to Mr Lang ands, who ' initiated the movement four years a^o

The following tenders have been received by tho Public Works Department for the erection ot bridges over the Ohinemun Kivor, Pacroa-Waihi railway : —Accepted : J. and A. Anderson fChri,tchuich), £5110 Declined— C. Judd (Thames), £4053; J M Fra o cr and Co. (Duncdir). £4126: Gcorgo Irasor and Sons (Auek'and). £4150 The past year was an exceedingly busy ■ cue in tho railway workshops of the colony, the increased traffic on service in both islands calling for acW:t : onal rolling stock to meet the requirc-monts. The following is a list of the work carried out pnd in hand for the financial year: — Waggons, 595; : carriages, 73; brake vans, 21; locomotives, 10; tarpaulins, 225. In addition to tha foregomar works, a contract wns let to I^rcssrs Price Bros , Thames, for the supply ■ of ten Icconiotivcc.