OTAMA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 39

OTA MA.

August 6.— A meeting of ths Farmers' Union was held to appoint oilke-beaieic for the ensuing jear. Mr A. Wayie w«s elected prc-ident, -Mr E- Bvars secretary, and a committee eo!i=i-ung of Messrs Archibald, Logan. Robertson, and R. H. Ksn-nr-dy. The funds showed a credit balar.ee of £3 2-,, \.hich was considered fairly satisfactory. Mr R. H. Kennedy promised to read a paper ou the labour problem at the next meeting. A Vacant Charge. —"We are si ill sheep ■without a j-liepherd, from a spiritual point of view. The congregation gavc^& call to the Rev. George Millar, of^Blton, which, howo\er. lie declined to accept. Arbor Day.— On July 21 we celebrated Aibor Day here, and planted a number of young tree*, besides doing 6ome other improvements to the schoolgroimd. After-

noon tea was dispensed by the ladies present, and Mr R. Byars and Mr G. M'Kenzie made complimentarj speeches thanking these who had assisted. Balls. — Cur military friends gave a grand ball here lately, which was very well patronised, and everything went with a swing from start to finish. Mrs Regan (piano), Air Green (violin), and Mr Rundle (piccolo) provided excellent music, and everything else was in first-class order. — On August 6 the bachelors here also gave a dance, and invited their friends and neighbours, and as it was a fine night they had a gocd turnout, and those present had a very enjoyable time. Weather. — We have had co far a very fine, open winter, with no serious storms to contend with such as we read of ir the papers that other localities are suffering from. Sheep and other stock are faring pretty »yell, while bunny is much in evidence, in spite of the high price fou. his skin. Progress. — Mi John Logan has erected a new house on his property, which addsmuch to the appearance cf the place. I daresay some of the other bachelors about will be following his example, and so giving ■work to the unemployed — a class we never see here. As a rule, it's th© other way about : there Is more work than hands to do it, and there's room for all the immigrants in New Zealand.