OWAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2651, 4 January 1905, Page 35

OWAKA.

Deceml.er 21. — We are still hoping for some gcocl weather for the holidays, but the aspect looks stormy, 'and to-day the thunder has been rumbling overhear! a. good deal. Some few visitors have already inched our little corner, and the tents aie being elected — some at the

tea side, and others in cosy nooks in the bush, which at this season is looking very picturesqui with so much ma.nuka. in bloom and xhe trailing white clemati Christmas Tree. — Our young folks have been eagerly looking forward -to a. concert and Christmas tree combined for some time. So we were ail glad for their sakes that Thursday evening turned out so iine, enab.ing many to come from distant parts. The hall was well filled, and the first part of the evening was occupied with hymns and recitations, given mostly by the children, who acquitted themselves creditably. The Chairman (Eev. Mr Heaven) then arnounced that the prizes would be distributed frcm the two trees, which looked pretty on either side of the platform. The girls were preiented with dolls and the boys with spades, walking-sticks, etc., everybody, old and young, receiving a prize of some kind. The proceeds are in aid of the Baptist Church funds, and also -for foreign missions. Ecclesiastical. — The Rev. Mr Jamieson, who is so successfully dealing with the young people's Bible Class Mission in Otago, visited th's place last wesk, and was welcomed by Mr Chisholm's Bible Class at a .social in the Oddfellows' Hall. A very pleasant evening was spent, with music an 9 games and addresses from the Rev. Messrs Chisholm and ' Jymieson Mr Jamieson occupied the pulpit in tho Presbyterian Church ot Sunday, and in the afternoon gave an address entitled "Day Dreams." The text was from Acts ii, 17, "And your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." In the evening the address was from John xvii, 4. After the service the young people of the congregation were invited to remain to consider the advisability of forming a branch Bible Class in the church. Some 30 or 40 decided to join the class, which I think, is ? very encouraging start, and T trust the members will bo a "power for good" in our midst !N"ew Buildings. — Several new summer residences have been erected latel* at Pounwea, a favourite seaside resort som two and a-half miles frc-m the township, and the local carpenters are quite busy in consequence. Then the Owaka "Volunteers have bought the old landing grainshed, and hay had if removed to the recreation ground, there to be fitted up as a drill hall, with » shooting gallery and a billiard room. I believe £100 is to be spent on the building, which should make it quite an acquisition to the place.