WAIRAKI.

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

WAIRAKI.

January 5. —The Christmas holidays were perfect from a weather point of view, but the New Year holidays were spent under different conditions, the cold winds and occasional showers being anything btit pleasant. A few residents have gone to the seaside for a quiet time, but the exodus is not to be compared with last year, which, I think, easily constituted a record. Picnics.—lt is not expected that there will be a school excursion to the seaside this year, but there have been many different picnic excursions to places near at hand, which the children seem to enjoy, the conveyances in moat cases being waggons. The Nightcaps Good Templars (a lodge that has had periods of waxing" and waning since its inception, perhaps _ about 23 years ago) held their annual picnic at Smith's Flat.—The Nightcaps Presbytevian Bible class, under Mr Barclay's supervision, journeyed to Pourikina, and spent, an enjoyable day in Bpite of the inclement weather. The picnic party was in conjunction with the members of the choir of the same church, which made up a goodly number, and was conducive to ft happy picnic spirit.—The Presbyterian Sabbath school held their anmial picnic at Mr Jas. Johnstone's farm, on the banks of the Opio Stream. The day was ideal, and the outing proved a success. The motor from the manse conveyed the elderly members of the community and those who would otherwise probably not have been able to go from the township to the picnic field and homo again.—The annual picnic on Mt S. Mills's property eventuated on New Tea.r's Day, and a happy time was spent by old and young on the banks of the Ohai Stream. Scholastic. —The different public schools of the district have been closed for the holidays. The prizes were mostly for merit, as the prices foT hooks are such that the committees of the different schools cannot act as generously as they would like in the line of giving prizes to all. At the Nightcaps School the proficiency examination resulted in eight scholars gaining their proficiency and two competency passes out of

10 sitting. The dux modal (gold) went to Jean Forrester, with Gordon Gray eight marks behind.

Business Changes..—The new proprietor of the JNightcaps Billiard Rooms has taken over Mr George Sutherland's business, opposite the Coronation Hall, and will, I understand, carry on both businesses. —Mrs Jas. Richardson has disposed of her business to Mr Callender, who takes possession tTHs month. Mr Richardson purposes going in for farming near Dunback. She and her husband and family will be greatly missed, as Mrs Richardson was not only a great church worker in the interests of the Roman Catholic Church, but was associated with the different patriotic committee©, and never spared herself in any way if she thought she could do any good. It can truthfully be said of her that the gain of the district she goes to will be our loss. • Send-off.—Among other socials of like nature in the district a public send-off was given in the Nightcaps Coronation Hall to a- few more of our departing young men —Privates Cook, Finn, Quested, Dixon, and Robinson —on the evening of January 5. An interesting programme was gone through during the evening. The items were more varied than usual, and were enjoyed to the full, performers coming from different parts of the district to try to make the social a success. Our old friend of concert fame, Mr Douis Clapp, was among the contributors to its success. The guests of the evening were each recipients of suitable gifts, and afterwards ..Mr M'Gregor, Mount Dinton, came on to the stage, and, on behalf of the Mount Linton and Beaumont Stations, presented to Mr Dick Robinson with a wristlet watch, remarking that Mr Dick had been a popular employee of the two stations respectively since he left the public school. Mr Dick is the third son of Mr Alfred Robinson to join the colours, one of them making the supreme sacrifice. Private W. Dixon is the second son to sign on of Mr Matthew Dixon's. The elder son went to the wax with the Eighth or Ninth Reinforcements. —Mr Barber, of the staff of the Nightcaps Public School, is going into camp, and will not be back again as a teacher. Mr Barber before leaving was entertained at the residence of Mr Barclay by the Bible class teachers ■ and scholars and presented with a set of military brushes. Church.—Although Christmas Day has always been recognised by the Catholics as a day tor religious service, it has not always been kept by the " different Protestant organisations as something holy as far as outward forms go; but this world war has caused a Christmas morning service to take on a new significance this last Christmas, more especially owing to the capture by' the British troops of Jerusalem, and I think 1 am" safe in saying that last Christmas morning saw more Protestants meet for divine worship in their respective churches throughout the Dominion than ever before. There Was a special morning service in the Presbyterian Church, Nightcaps, at 8 a.m., conducted by the Rev. E. Bandy. The attendance was fair, and an impressive service was held, resulting, no doubt, in those present spending Christmas Day in the proper spirit.