OWAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2652, 11 January 1905, Page 35

OWAKA.

January 4. — All Christmas week we enjoye.d beautiful weatfher, and the visitors to our district were able to take every advantage of opportunities for enjoying themselves. On SundJay special services were held in the churches, which were well filled. Then on Monday the annual sports were held, and were

well patronised. A special train came from Balclutha, bringing a large crowd, and along with them a very efficient band, which discoursed pleasant selections throughout the day. Prizes in money and other articles were -given for running, jumping, chopping, sawing, etc., the programme being quite a long one, and it was late in the evening before the gathering broke up. New Year's Day was a decided contrast to Christmas. In the morning heavy showers of hail and rain made the day feel wintry indeed, and ma.ny who had made up their minds for a good day's outing had to content themselves at home. -In the afternoon the weather cleared somewhat, and a good many found their way to Port Molyneux, the favourite resort for that day. The fine weather, however, seems to be quite broken up, and many of the campers-out have, like the Arabs, "folded their tents and silently stole away." Accidents. — Several rather severe accidents have occurred in our midst lately. The first happened to Mrs Morton, wife of one of our local carpenters, and is of rather a serious nature. The lady, together with some friends, was driving down the Pounawea road, when the wheel went into a deep rut, throwing Mrs Morton out of the trap," and bruising her severely. Then on Tuesday of last week Mr Young had a buggy accident on the same road. Mr Young and one of his -daughters were a good deal knocked about, but I was pleased to hear to-day that both the sufferers are convalescent, and we may soon hope to see them about again as usual. Losses. — Several of the residents here lately have had the misfortune to lose valuable horses. Not long since Mr O. Osborne was ploughing with a newly-purchased horse, when the animal suddenly fell -dead. A short time afterwards Mr Young- had a fine young an rnal drowned in the rives: whilst it was trying Ik> g«t a drink, A few , days later Mr W. Stodart had a fine horse gored with a bull to such an extent that the animal only fived a short time after. Farewell. — On Wednesday evening the members and friends of the Baptist Church met together at a most enjoyable social to bid f-are-well to their pastor, the Rsv. W. L. Heaven, who resigned his pastorate in the church some weeks ago. Mr Stenning filled tie chair for the evening; and in opening the proceedings made a few appropriate remarks. Several duets and recitations were given, and some well-known hymns were heartily sung by the congregation during the evening. On behalf of the Tahatika and Owaka churches Mr Stenning presented Mr Heaven -with a purse of sovereigns as a small token of the high esteem in which the rev. gentleman is held in this district. Mr-Jleaven suitably responded, and; feelingly spoke of the kindness of' the people d-uring his sojouto. in Owaka. A bountiful tea was spread- by the ladies, and all seemed to enjoy themselves well. As I said* before. Mr Heaven during his stay here has endeared himself to many, not only in his own congregation, but among other denominations, and his departure is contemplated with sincere feelings of regret. At the same time, it is felt that the rev. gentleman is fitted 'for better things than we can offer, for the congregation is small and the salary correspondingly so. Wherever Mr Heaven's lot jnay be cast in future, he has the earrie&t wishes for his welfare of a large circle of friends in Owaka, who will follow his future with interest.