WAIKAIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3330, 9 January 1918, Page 23

WAIKAIA.

January 7.—The weather during the last three weeks has been very changeable, with vexy cold, heavy showers of rain and occasionally hail—more like mid-winter than summer,—and shearing has been greatly delayed by-the weathor. Christmas Day was bright and sunny, enabling many, to their great enjoyment, to attend early church servico at the Presbyterian Church. The Rev. W. Main offered up very earnest prayers, for King, soldiers and sailors, and our Empire m this cruel war. Sports—On New Year's Day we had very heavy showers of rain and one 01 hail. There was a very large gathering of people from the surrounding districts at the oaiedonian sports, coming in motor cars, buggies, etc. The dancing and bagpipe music were very attractive. The stormy weather prevented many persons from attending, lhe social in the Coronation Hall in the evening was well attended. Mr Sexton (secretary) did splendid work in arranging everything very satisfactorily. Mr Robertson made an efficient M.C. Mr and Mrs Gilmore (Freshford) were the musicians (piano and vlolln £- A;" splendid supper was handed round. A largo sum, considering the weatw, was taekn at the door and also collected at the gate of the sports gathering on-behalf of the Caledonian Sports Society. The amount for guessing the weight of two sheep was for the Y.M.C.A. . . Personal.—Sir W. Fraser Mmxateir ; of Public "Works, our member for Wakatipu, lately visited Waikaia, and met-mairjrof iua old friends, who are delighted that their member (who has proved so faithful to his very large constituency) waa remembered when New Zealand honours were given.— Mr and Mrs Tumbull (Gore), who formerly lived on a large farm about four miles from Waikaia Township for about 33 years, and are very highly respected, celebrated their golden wedding by a party at their residence, Preston street, Gore, on December 81. Their three sons (two married) and families, also a daughter (Mrs James M Dean Valpy street, St. Clair) and husband and family, and many old friends, to the number of about 50, were present The Rev. Mr Simpson was chairman and Mr i. lay lor (manager of the National Bank) was vicechairman. Very hearty speeches were made, and. memories of events of the past brought to mind. • ~ . , Roll of Honour.—Much sympathy by a large circle of old friends is left for Mr and Mrs John M'Gregor, Waikaia (formerly of Wendonside), who have had the sad news lately that their elder son, Rifleman John M'Gregor (Sixteenth Reinforcements), was killed in action on December 9, 1917, somewhere in France at the age of 47. He was born in Perthshire, and educated before leaving' Scotland. He arrived in New Zealand 32 years ago, and was shepherding and mining before he enlisted at Gore for the Sixteenth Reinforcements. His only brother is at the front in France.