BROAD BAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 31

BROAD BAY.

May 15.—We have settled down for the winter again, after an unusually busy summer season. Owing to tho war. the (own folk have not gone far away for their vacation, but have taken a cheaper holiday nearer home. Tho Bay has been full of women and children —hardly a young man to be seen, and the l usual number of motor lnunehc! ,•>„:; d yachts were conspicuous by their absence. There was no regatta and no concerts this season either. Conference—The Y.W.O.A. held their annual conference this year at the local boarding-house (Mrs Oreen's). __ About 60 young women from all over New Zealand were here for 10 days, and several times tho number was increased to 100 by per-

sons visiting for one or two days. In the mornings Bible lessons were given, and in the evenings addresses in the local Methodist Church. 'the afternoons were spent m recreation, sometimes in sports, and one day in a trip round the harbour in the Waireka. Miss Barnes, M.A., came specially from Australia to superintend arrangements, and a most enjoyable and profitable time was spent. 1 wonder if people—especially country folk —know what a splendid work this association is doing in a quiet and unobtrusive way. A good home, with the best influences surrounding one, is provided for girls coming from the country. A kindly interest is taken in them, and what a boon this must bo for parents who know no one to srnd their girls to when they have to leave home to work. Besides that, they provide cheap meals and places of rest for hard-worked girls in shops and oificcs. Lessons in dressmaking, millinery, fancy work, physical exercises, etc., are given in the girls' spare time. Some associations have a Ramblers' Club, and even a cla»-s for engaged girls, where lessons are g:ven in all sorts of home work. These classes are doing splendid work, and the Y.W.C.A. deserves the hearty support of every man who honours good women and every woman who has tho welfare of her sex at heart. Death.—Ono of tho early settlers— Mrs T. M'Lennan—passed away suddenly last Saturday. She had been unwell with influenza for a few days, but no one realised that she was seriously ill. Much sympathy is felt for Mr M'Lennan. Tho funeral on Tuesday was largely attended, for Mrs M - Lenan, through her sterling, upright character, had won tho respect of all who know her. Church.—The Rev. A. Hopper has been appointed by Conference as our minister this year. He was slightly known here years ago, and we wero very pleased to have, him with us as our settled minister. Weather.—The summer and autumn have been unusually dry—very good for holidaymakers, but bad for the fanners, and the supply of milk has run very low—lower, I suppose, than it has ever been. Personal.—Mr T. Allan has sold his farm to Mr Barr, and Mr and Mrs Allan have retired to a house near the school. Mr and Mrs M'Taggart have also settled amongst us after disposing of their farm, and Mr and Mrs Williamson, from Kokonga, have also purchased a house here. Ferry.—Tho ferry eteamer has started her winter time-table, calling at all the jetties. Both town and country settlers are catered for better this season than ever they have been. The weather for the Easter holidays was beautiful, and record numbers were carried on the steamers.