WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2668, 3 May 1905, Page 35

WAIKOUAITI.

April 29. — With the exception of a heavy downpour on Friday nignt, and some cold winds, the Easter holidays were favoured with, fine weather. A very large number of visitors flocked into the place, including some enthusiastic golf players, who patronised the linka. every day of the holidays. V.M.C.A. — A party of young fellows connected with the V.M.C.A. of Dunedin and the Port, about 60 strong, occupied tents in. Beach street, and on Saturday night, accompanied by their harmonium, they sang hymns and gave addresses in the Main road. Their endeavours, attracted respectful attention, and at their mission meeting in the Public Hall, afteEfcchurch service on Sunday night, the building was well filled with a sympathetic audience. A word of praise must be given the campers for their good behaviour, which, was in striking contrast to that of some cam-pers-out we ha-ve had here formerly — showing that young fellows -can enjoy themselves -without being rowdy and becoming a nuisance to the inhabitants of a place.

Church Services. — The ' services at the various churches were very well attended on. Easter Sunday. At the Presbyterian Church special freference was made to the day by the Rev. Mr Cairney, and Easter hymns were sung, thei- anthem at night being, "Thine, O> Lord, is the greatness." At St. John's Church, there was a choral celebration -of the Communion* at 9 a.m., with 25 communicants. Morning service followed at 11, - and at nighfr there was a full ' choral festival service, the* church being crowded. Bunnett's - Magnificat and ,Nunc dimittis -were sung, and the congregation joined most heartily in the singing-. The vicar (Rev. H. B. Jones) preached a very, able sermon on "Miracles, and the Resurrection." * The church was. tastefully and lavishly decorated, and the altar looked very bright with- its mass of white flowers and its two lights.

Anniversary. — The Sunday school anniversary in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church was held on Sunday evening last. The church, which was prettily decorated for the occasion, was 'crowded, some being unable to gain admission. A sermoxrto young people on "Josiah the King" was preached by the Rev. T. Coatsworth. On Easter Monday the annual school picnic was held on the Domain. There was a good attendance-, and a most enjoyable day was spent. In the evening, a. concert was given in the- church, when the build—ing was again well filled. The following programme was rendered: — Duets by Messrs Smith and Allen, Misses B. Brown, and E. Kenward, Miss Smith, and Mi Fleming, Misses M. and B. Williamson, and the Misses Youngman ; recitations by Misses- Ross, -Wise, A. Fry, and Gibbs; solos by Miss F. Smith, Mrs E. Aitcheson, and Miss Williamson; an<s a trio by the Misses Youngman. The choir, under the conductorship of Mr Allen, also rendered very acceptably the following anthems: — "I cannot seek too early," "Voices, happy voices," and "Suffer the children.'-*-Miss M'Fie acted as accompanist. Addresses were given by the Rev. T. Coatsworth and MT Fleming (superintendent).

Football. — The opening of the football season was celebrated locally by a match between, the Waikouaiti Club and a team of visitors from the V.M.C.A. camp, which- was played on the Recreation Ground on Easter Monday. The game was most enjoyable, and was witnessed by a large crowd of people. At first the sides seemed fairly well balanced, but later on the local team got the best of it, G-. Townsend scoring two tries and W. Townsend one try, one of the tries being converted by Aitcheson. G. Townsend, T. Bell, J. Carson, and Ward played well, while Aitcheson made some good runs for Waikouaiti. The visitors played a plucky game throughout, and wera fortunate in scoring a goal, kicked by T. Cairney, just before time. The result was, Waikouaiti 11 points, Camp 5 points. The visitors were afterwards hospitably entertained by the ladies of the P. M. picnic party, and the local team by host Matheson.

Municipal. — After several unsuccessful afetempts Cr. T. Smith has at last attained the Mayoralty by a narrow majority, and, with his past record, may be depended on to be a vary; active and live Mayor. Much interest was taken, in the contest, and on the day of the poll the place was quite lively owing to the number of voters about. Of the new council, five are new members who have not yet taken any. part in municipal affairs — viz., Councillors Malloch, Jamieson, Johnston, Williamson, and Kerr. Of the old council, Messrs Davis, Rusrj sell, and Valentine did not seek re-election, and Mr O'Halloran did not succeed in being elected. All the councillors in returning thanks after the election, spoke very reason?, ably and were generally in favour of doing ajl they could to advance the interests of the! borough with the revenue already at command. Cr. Rendall was jokingly spoken of as thft "break" to keep down unnecessary expenditure, and when he said he did not know of any pressing work needed at present, a, bystander called out, "What about the_,vrater supply?" to -which Cr. Rendall retorted* "You'll have plenty of water by-and-bye, wkeu Father Hays comes here." Marriages. — Now that Lent is over, tae roar*

riage market is stirring, and is likely to be brisk. One union came off yesterday, and several others, of prominent people, are to follow in* a week or two. As the attendance has gone down at the school the teachers will be glad to hear such news. One drawback here is the number of married folk without families — I" can count eight such houses close at hand. , Native Game. — As the shooting season is so near, the ducks and swans are beginning to swarm in large numbers on the lagoon here, where they know they are safe. Several have •evidently been shot at elsewhere, and a couple have died. A rather unusual thing for this iime of year is that a couple of swans have built a nest in the upper portion of the lagoon, on which the female bird has been sifting for about a week. The male bird is very attentive, and gets very excited if-anyone goes near.