OWAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2842, 2 September 1908, Page 89

OWAKA.

August 29.—Sharp, frosty nights, and on Friday morning sleel and heavy rain remand us that winter is not ret quite over. But we get a few fine days occasionally, and the farmer takes advantage of tbie to get forward with his ploughing and farm work. Where the rabbits are not too numerous the grass is ftoticoably ■green, and spring flowers arc well out in bloom. Dairying.—Our creamery has been working all winter, and some of the settlers are still milking a good number of cows. Owing to the recent visi< of the Government inspector a number of the farmers have been put to a considerable expends in erecting now_ byres and renovating old ones. Sooner than go to this trouble some are disposing of their herds. Drowned.—On Wednesday quite a number of boats wene out seax-ching' for the body of young Murray, who was drowned while crossing th© Oatlin's bar last week. Their efforts were unavailing, and it is now very unlikely that anything more -will ever be heard of the unfoiituniale young fellow. On the evening preceding his death young Murray attended the wr .'ice at itao Baptist Church, where a stirring Gospel address -was delivered by Mr Brand, and we can only hope that the young man had made hie calling and election cur*.

' Obituary.—On Wednesday afternoon the funeral of the late Mr Souness, of " Talatika," took place here. Mr Souness was an old and well-known resident, and a large number gathered to pay their last j tribute of respect. The service was conducted, by the Rev. R. J. Chisholm.—Last week the ©ad news came to us that Mi<a I Kirk, wife of the home missionary at Ratanui, had passed away. Mr Kirk ie a comparative stranger to most of us, but he has our deepest sympathy in his bereavement.—ln our own part .of the district there i 6 nothing worse in the way of" eiokness but the usual winter coughs and colds. Leaving. —Mr and Mr/ Vial, old reslldents in the district, have leased their farm, and intend going to Dtoiedin to spend their declining years there. On Wednesday a clearing 6ale of all their stock, .farming implements, household furniture, etc., was held, and I believe most of the things sold satisfactorily, v Mr Stoddart, of Balclutha, and formerly of Romahapa, is the successful lessee. | j j i '