COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 53

COUNTRY.

j (Continued from page 36.)

OWAEA.

March 1. — After the most delightful weather we have experienced lately a good shower was very welcome, especially to those whose tanks were empty. Ths turnips, too, are looking well and fresh after the rain, and some of the farmers are beginning with their harvest. Cutting weeds has occupied a good deal of time lately, the ragwort and Canadian thistle being very troublesome this season, some of the farmers having to use the reaper to them. Most of the blackberry bushes in the district have been destroyed.

Changes. — The office and shop for the Farmers' Co-operative is now finished, and occupies a good site in our little township. Mr Sheath has purchased the butchery business from Mr Sharp, who had to retire on account of ill-health, and now that there is opposition beef is down Id per lb.

New Pound. — Since ths erection of the pound, which is right in the centre of the township, stray cattle and horses are not so plentif, and the poundkeeper (Mr -T. Jones) is no respecter of persons, for the other morning our worthy minister's Eorse was captured, and the constable's cow narrowly escaped the indignity of being impounded.

Anniversary Services. — The annual services and social in connection with the Presbyterian Church were held la9t week. The- Sunday services were conducted in the morning by the Rev. J. Chisholm, and in the evening by Dr Waddell (Dunedin). Then on Tuesday the annual soiree was held, and, the night being perfect, the attendance was large. The speakers were the Rev. Messrs Chisholm, Orr, Wingfield, Parlane, .Robertson, and Every. The choir rendered several concerted pieces very well, and the solos and part songs were well received. Of course, the ladies were to the fore in providing an abundant tea, which was heartily partaken of by all. The usual votes of thanks and the singing of the- doxology brought the evening to a close.

Picnic. — Our friends of the xJaptist Church held their church and Sunday school picnic at Pounawea on Saturday last, and had a rao-ii enjoyable time. Mr Every, the new missionary for the church, along with the teachers, spared no pains to entertain and amuse the children and their friends, and games of all kinds were enjoyed by everybody throughout the afternoon. The river, which was beautifully cairn, was the chief attraction, the "flatties" being at the disposal of the rowers. Towards evening the sky began to darken, and before everybody had reached home a heavy shower fell.

Scholastic. — Miss Croft, the lady who has been mistress here for nearly two years, has had to seek another sphere of labour with a milder climate on account of her health, and Miss Kichol, from Rough Ridge School, has been appointed her successor. Miss ISTichol takes up her duties next month. A good many of the children have been absent fiom school, suffering from sore throats and colds.

Sickness. — Dr Wheeler has several rather severe cases in hand at present, one of them being an attack of enteric fever. Ths voting mantis a son of Mr W. Falconer, and I am pleased to learn he is doing as well as can he expected at this stage of the disease.