WAIPIATA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 23

WAIPIATA.

February 2.—The weather has continued very dry and hot, and grass fires have been prevalent, doing a good deal of damage in some cases. At times the"temperature in the sun has been 130 deg, and in the shade 90deg; but these have been exceptionally' hot days, and above the average. During the hot, dryweather the farmers have been hard at work getting their harvesting done—a good many of them single-handed. Young Helpers' League.—On Monday afternoon, January 28, the ladies of the committee of the Young Helpers' League entertained the members to .afternoon tea. The gathering took place at the schoolroom, when the boxes of the collectors were opened. The satisfactory amount of £9 10s BAd had been collected, the largest amount in a box being a little over 30s, which entitles the collector —Margie Clarke —to a. silver medal. After the boxes had been opened and afternoon tea had been dispensed with, a number of races were got up for the young people. All thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and returned home to make a fresh start for the ensuing six months. Red Cross. —On Tuesday afternoon, January 29. Mrs R. Martin, president of the Waipiata Branch of the Bed Cross Society, entertained at her residence, Coney Creek, the children who had been knitting for the society so industriously all the year. There was a large gathering of the parents and the children to do justice to the good things provided. Numerous games for the children were indulged in, and tea and cakes wero handed round twice. Be-fore leaving, Mrs James Campbell, on behalf of the children and their parents, thanked Mrs Martin for the very pleflsant afternoon which had been spent, and all joined hands in singing "For she's a jolly good fellow." Farewell Social.—On Friday mßlii,_ February 1, a farewell social was held in the Waipiata Hal], the object being to bid farewell to Trooper Robert Paterson, who was homo on final leave. There was a record attendance, testifying to the respect hi which

the- guest had been held all round the district. Dancing waa indulged in, and at a suitable interval prior to the supper Uie president of tho Patriotic Committee (Mr J. Howell), *in a feeling speech, presented Trooper Paterson with a roll of notes as a mark- of esteem from bis many friends. Tho Rer. Drake, Mr Tregonning, Mr James Campbell, and Mr Paterson also spoke. The guest, in a fow well-chosen words, suitably responded. A very pleasant evening waj brought to a close with the singing of "Aaid lung syne." Sunday School Picnic.—A round of gaiety for the children was terminated by a combined Sunday school picnic—Presbyterian and Anglican—on the premises of Mr P. Mathias (The Beeches). Tha Beeches ia an ideal place for a picnic, and tho tea and afterwards the prizes were given out under tho shelter of tho trees. The Rev. Mr Butler (Presbyterian) and the Itev. Mr Drakfl 'Anglican) wore both in attendance. As the Rev. Butler has been confined to bed for about eix months on account of ill-health, ■ and as this was his first appearance in public for some considerable time, the honour of conferring the prizes to both Sunday schools was given to him. Games were indulged in, ajid the children returned home tired but very happy. Both Sunday school* reopened on the 3rd inst.