NIAGARA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 39

NIAGARA.

February 6 — The holiday season is now past, and all that remains is the memory of pleasant days spent at river, bush, and beach. I am speaking of those whose lot it was to choose Waikawa as their happy huntingground. There was quite a number of visitors to this district during the Christmas holiday, and the weather being on its best behaviour, a really enjoyable outing was the result. There are spots of beauty and interest in and about Waikawa which are well worth taking a little trouble to see. There is the far-famed Curio Bay, with its petrified wood and beautiful tracings of the vegetable kingdom in the rock. A diligent seaich among the kelp and in the crevices of Ihe rocks is always rewarded with a splendid collection of living curios, which inhabit the biiny ocean — namely, the sea-norse, sea-urchin, and star-fish of many varieties. Other places of interest well worth a visit are the Brothers and the falls, which latter, though small m body, fall a. distance of from 200 ft to 300 ft. and are. moreover, snrroundedl by beautiful scenery. If ore is at all ambitious the next place of interest is Slope Point. When one has stood on the brink or Slope Point, w>. + h the sea waves lapping at one's feet, the honour of having stood on the most southerly point m the boulh Island can be claimed. The following is an extract from a- song of praise, written by a former resident of Waikawa. — "Down Waikawa's wooded del's Purling brooklets glance and gush; On its braes cling snowy bells, O'er its hills the iata3 blush. 'Neath the- woodland's cooling shade Beauty's spell and mystery reign,

Ferny nook and le-aly glade. vv filsper ta'es of lover's pain; Graceful warblers overhead Trill their joys to this lefrain: 'Fairy-land, Waikawa, Eden's vale, Waikawa.' "Summer's beauties bloom and fade, Charmed Waikawa's ever new, Flitting tint and magic shade. Lovely paths and ocean view. Other lands are waste and hare. Thee, Waikawa. bright and mild ; Beauty gave Eer shores most rare, Thee, heaven's pampered, sn^age child.

Still my hcait's profoundest prayer Craves thy prospects weird and wild:' 'Fairy-land, Waikawa, Eden's vale, Waikawa ' "

Schools. — The local schools have opened a«ain. with the usual addition of new-comers 'Ihe Waikawa school has been nicely finished msidc, an<l all tlaat i~<3 "iiow required to niaie it snug and comfortable is the consignment of new desks and foims- promised by the Board of Education. The Niagara schnol surroundings have also been brightened by the addition of a new fence to the schoo-1-house and a fresh coat of paint to the' schoolshed.

Bush Fires. — During the month of January we were troubled by bush fires, which, though not so extensive as those of 1907, were yet more disastrous in their results. One house at Niagara, owned by Mr Gouiley, hut unoccupied, was burnt to the- ground, and a house at Waikawa, owned by Mr Hamilton, and occupied- by Mr Buchanan, shared tho same fate. The loss of the occupants was slight, as they, with the assistance <rf willing

helpprs, got mosf of their property safely away. Another fire, more disastrous in it< results, was that which destroyed, the mill owned by the Waikawa Saw-milling Company. Luckily, the engine was saved. Tha mill is being rebuilt with all possible speed, and within a short time will b& working away as before. The saw-milling- industry is progressing satisfactorily, and there is a proposal on foot to take one of the timbsrt boats up the river to Niagara, to ship the Niagara Company's timber direct to it.i destination. For this purpose a tramway is being laid, and a jetty is to bo built a« Rocky Point. Should' this plan prove practicable, a great deal of handling of th* timber will be avoided and the profits of the» company thereby much enhanced.

Improvements. — Mr Wilson, the contractor for the Presbyterian cottage manse afl Niagara, has the building well advanced, and expects to have his contract completed by, the second week of March.

General. — Mr James Robson, qf Niagara, held a clearing sale at his farm on, the 3r61 inst. He first offered his sawmill and plant, but the b ddiug did not reach the owner's idea- of value, and the mill was passed in. The farm was next offered, but was also withdrawn. Then followed stock and plant, bu* the bidding was dull and few sales resulted. There was a good attendance of farmers an<| settleTS. A good luncheon was provided foB all, and on-e could not but wish Mr Robsotf betteT luck for his sale. An effort is being made by local enthusiasts and athletes to organise a. sports meeting for Easter. We have been enjoyirg exceptionally good weather, tempered by occasional showers. Harvest operations will be general in * fortnight or three weeks.