NIAGARA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2669, 10 May 1905, Page 35

NIAGARA.

May I.— At the annual meeting on. householders on the >2&th ult. the following were elected a school committee fo the ensuing 12 months : —Messrs Brookes (chairman), Shirley (hon. secretary), Robson, M. Colgan, W. Haldane, T. Hayes, and Mrs Baxter. The lady last-nientioiled was induced to join, as there were not enough present without her to form a committee. Valedictory Social and Presentation. — As Mr I/cpdell, the missionary who has charge of this district for the Presbyterian Church, has received a call to Colac Bay, it was resolved that he should- not- be allowed to leave Nisgara without receiving some enduring token of the ertfem in which he and his wife are held. A social was accordingly given in the school here last Friday evening, and was largely attended by his parishioners and friends from all parts of his extensive charge. After the usual complimentary speeches Mr Robertson, on behalf of the settlers, presented Mrs Lopdell with. % cream jug and sugar basin in silver, and Mr Lopdell with, a richly-mounted v»rlting desk, all of them substantial enough to form lasting mementoes' of the fircn friends the recipients have made for themselves in this district. Mr LopdeU has undoubtedly a bright and successful future before him. Young 1 , active, and sincere, preaching only what he believes, and thoroughly believing what he preaches, his ministry has been very successful here, and in all likelihood will be equally so at the scene of his future labours. Mrs Lopdell, moreover, was an ideal helpmeet for a clergyman, and in her Mr Lopdell had a worthy coadjutor in his spiritual and social work. To her initiative is due the establishment of our Sabbath school for The children, of our Eible class for the young men and women, and of our Saturday evening singing class for all ; and to her unselfish perseverance must' be

ascribed their growth and development into permanent institutions. On the third Sunday in each nionth Mr LopdeU was required to preach at Mokoreta, 14 miles' distant, a.nd on these occasions Mrs Lopdell took the service at Niagara, and discharged the s&cred duty to -everybody's satisfaction arid advantage. Nor must I forget to mention that many ■who have been injured in our sawmills or in other ways have had their -Bounds promptly and skilfully dressed by Mrs Lopdell, and owe to har trained hands and womanly sympathy much alleviation of their sufferings. — On the night of the farev. ell social alluded to some person, as yet ur-known. correctly surmising that Mr Robson, our storekeeper, would attend the social with all his family, rede up to the deserted house, bicko the window, and having inserted his arm abstracted the cashbox, which was kept in a place that could be reached in this way from the outside. Mr Robson's los 3, however, dees not amount to .more than £3 10s, and seme old cheques, of no value except for reference.