WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2677, 5 July 1905, Page 35

WAIKOUAITI.

Jaly 3. — Mr Foster ]STeill, of Tumai, intends paying a visit, to Canada at an ear y date with a, view to settling there-, as his lease of the Tumai Estate expires in April next.

A Novel Hot Bottle. — For an exceptionally frosty night I can recommend anyone so inclined to follow the example of a young man who told me he woke up last night quite cold with the frost, so he opened the window and whistled his little terrier into the room. He wrapped the dog in a rug, put him at his feet in the- bed, and used him as a_ hot bottle. The experiment wns very successful, with the advantage that the "bottle" was quite hot when he woke up this morning after a refreshing sleep.

Our Young Men. — As the outcome of the Rev. Mr Jamie son's visit to Waikouaiti a classfor the mutual improvement of young men has, been inaugurated, which is meeting with a good d*al of success, as it deserves to do ; and as a syllabus for the winter months has been drawn up it should prove both interesting and instructive to the members. The class is under the able leadership of Mr J. N. Stewart, and meets in the Public School for an hour eveiry Sunday afternoon for Bible study. It ia also intended to hold a meeting every Fridaynight, when debates on current topics, readings, impromptu speaking, etc.. will be held, to which the public are cordially invited. A magazine has also been started, which will ba edited by Mr D. W. Malloch. who3e well-known ability will cause the publication to be a very readable production.

Valedictory. — On Friday evening last a large number of residents gather-ed at Mr T. Clark's homestead to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Clark, who, after residing in the district for over 40 years, are leaving ta take up their abode at Allanton. During the evening Mr J7. Stewart, in a few well-chosen remarks, referred to Mr Clark's long residence here, and after wishing h-rrm every success in the future, presented him, on behalf of his friends, with a ' purse of sovereigns. Mr Clark was greatly taken by surprise, and had some difficulty in. replying, but he sincerely thanked them for the good feeling shown and their attendance there that night. Mrs J. Summers then rose, remarking that the gentlemen^weTe not to have it all their own way, and she than presented Mrs Clark with a travelling rug, with the hope that the recipient would always remember her old friends in Waikouaiti. Refreshments were then supplied by the ladies, and songs and recitations followed, while Miss Ilia Summers performed a step-dance very creditably. The singing of "Auld lang syne" at 11 p.m. closed a most enjoyable gathering. Domain Board. — Messrs Robert Templeton (ex-Mayor) and Arthur Heckler have beeii appointed as additional members of the Hawksbury Domain Board. It appears every member must remain and continue in. office for seven, years from date of appointment according to ■ the Domain Boards -Act of 1904, accordingly the whole of the members of the boarct have - been reappointed. The old members of the • board were elected at a public meeting, and . appainted'"for a term of three years fom March 14, 1900. After Mr B. Bray died- Mr Ml. Stewart was elected to fill the vacancy, and theboard reappointed for thres years from Decem-" ber 5, 1902. The new term now commencing, gives some of the members a tenure- of office extending over 12. years; but this is not objsctsd to by many people, because the conditions vader which the board labour are peculiar, a-nd it needs time a/nd experience for a member to acquire knowledge as- to the best course to pursue in dealing with such matters as the dirainage of the lagoon, for instance. It is. well to mention that the exetnsion o£ cfßce of the present members- was not the result of a. desus on their pazt, ths chairm,an. (Mr Buekiand) having specifically- written the dapssrtrosut suggesting the cancelling of all appointments and a new election, should such course seem advi&able.