WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 39

WAIKOUAITI.

July 29.—There -waa a very Targe attendance at Mr M'Giil's clearing sale on Thursday last. Mr David Malloch was the purchaser of the farm at £23 10s per acre, including buildings. There are 160 acres ia the farm, and Mi M.alJodi attends working

it in connection -with his sheep run. Later 1 on he- may revert to dairying, and the form will then supply its- formei quota of milk ho the local dairy, factory. Arbor Day. — Wednesday last not being ft suitable date- for this district to observe Arbor Day, nothing was done in that direction; indeed, nothing could have been done, because of the strong N.E. winds which prevailed for som^ days. Some planting- wilt be done by one or two of the* local bodies onan early date. - Church Meeting. — Phe annual congregational meeting of the Presbyterian- Church was held cm Wednesday night, 34th inst. The- Rev. J. J. Ctoraey presided, and in his address- congratulated the 1 congregation oil the work done during the year, and recommended as a stimulus for still greater work the- necessity of Having o. social hall attached to the church. The report stated that ther roll had: been, purged during; the ye*r, an 9 thera. were now: 14L communicant members* Ai the half-yearly celebration* of lEe- Lard's Supper there wae an average of 11.5- communicants ; reference was. made to the earnest and faithful work of Mr Cairney, assisted bj* Mrs Gairney; and to the efforts of the choir and the Ladies' Guild. The Bible clasa «fe Waikouaiti had « membership if 14, an<£ at Flag Swamp of 21, the course of studjj having been the Book of Genesis. Th«t ladies' P.M.U had been successfully carried^ on under thet presidency of Mrs Cairney, ancl the young, men's- Bible class had been cajrAedp* on by Mr Stewart in the- public school everjp Sunday afternoon. The balance sheet showed the, total receipts (inclusive of credit balance oi £15 ss) ta be £457 Is; 3& The. sum oi £ST~ 8s had been contributed towards missions, and £10 10s 2d towards, the Dayspring fund; besides other items for various objects. . The.- following were elected' on the com- ' mittaer:— Messrs J»s. Fail, Robt. Bell, D. W. Mallocn, R. Runciman, W. STDcsugalL 3. RendftlL, N. Stewart, and J. Steven (Wai* kouaitr), md? G. Gilmore, J. Maxwell, T, Macautey, and A. Dempster (Flag; Swamp); The- usual votes of tiraaka were accorded; and the meeting closed with prayer. Oddfellow**— At x the usual monthly meetv ing ft; til* Lodge Prince Alfred' an. Wednesday evening; tast occasion, waw taken to present Beat & & Wood; who i* leaving. Waikouaiia, with * ndce sase. of pipes bearing a suitable inscription. Bra. T! Allcack, mr making tha. presentation, expressed much regret at Mr Wood's: departing, as he hadf been a vhj active* and usejnl member of thei lodge during: the time- his had been here. After business was concluded: a brnlret social wm> held*, to. which. \mScj- friends were- invited. Songs and recitations were given ab intervals^ and dancing was indulged l in; the music being? supplied by Me F. PembeTtoin, assisted by- Bro. J£insmwn- and Miss Wood Death. — M*. Joseph Bates, a. welWmownoli* identity of- this district; died thi* morning after having had' another attack of- parolysi* , on Friday, last Deceased- was- 87 years- oldt having been born in Warwickshire, England, itt 1820. He had been resident here for close on 50- years, and had always taken a> prominent part in pnblic affairs, believing that all who could should assist in bearing their share of. duty for tiha public weal. H« ■wae one of- the. f aundars of the- public librae^, ettablished hane- in 1862.. On &» formation; of- the- local Volunteer company he was an* of the first to join, «n& her was the firs* peeMtt to- publioly • sign, the pledge- in Waikouaiti. He> took a gieit intexeet in, ths public school, and sat an the committee for * long period. Ha. also sat for many years int tha Borough ° Council, and served a term ol office- as Mayor ia 1831. Be was formally a. frequent, and appreciated speaker at, local public meetings, especially- ate temperance gatherings, at which- he, woa> « very pro-. minent figure, being a. noted Good Templar : and ardent prohibititoisfe He was fond of singing, having in the Old County had- to do with several well-known societies,, whilst here, while his fine tenor voice lasted, ha gctve great assistance to the- choral and other musical societies. Mr- Bates- wa»-a£ * kindly disposition-,, and waa- always ready with assistance in a good cause, and' hi* long-farailiar figure will be much,- missed bg everybody- in this diflteict, especially by the few remaining old identities still left amongus.