WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 40

WAIKOUAITI.

Augxi>t 11.— The monthly meeting of the A-thenamm Committee was held on the 9th, and was attended by Messrs Mudge (chairman), Stewart, Hallott, Templeton, Fell, M'Kercher, Jamieson (members of comBittee), and E. Davis, A. Heckler, and . \V. MaJloch (trustees). Some necessary repairs to the hall buildings were left to the Works Committee to have carried out, jtnd Sir Templeton was authorised to further improve the ventilation of the kitchen attached to the supper room. The secretary reported that 11 n«w books had been added to the library since the previous meeting. The receipts for the month were £4 3s 6d, and tile bank book showed that the overdraft at that date wa3 £3& 10s lid. Some small accounts were passed for payment

Banking.— A requisition that the local bank ba opened for business • daily and a lesident manager placed in charge is at present in circulation in the locality, and i« being freely Bigned by customers. There is no doubt that the bank is actually losing business, as well as causing considerable inconvenience to customers, by the practice of opening for a- few hours twice weekly, which at present obtains. The volume of business .transacted in •Waikouaiti is greater now than it was 20 years ago, when two banks had branches iaere and opened daily. Considering thesize and importance of the district "the request that is being made is a. perfectly j^asonable one. and it is to be hoped that it will receive favourable consideration.

Weather.— The winter just passed has ibeen, on the whole, a good one. The rough weather occasionally experienced ■was not particularly severe, and as there has been a good supply of turnips and other fodder all classes of stock have done well. Fanners are taking advantage of the present spell of fine weather, and have their work well advanced. In this district a larger area than usual is being sown in wheat, the good prices ruling for this cereal no doubt being fhe cause of the increase.

August 16.— The winter which has just passed has been on the whole a good one. The rough weather occasionally experienced was not particularly severe, and, as therp has been a good supply of turnips and other fodder, all classes of stock have done well. Farmers are taking advantage of the present spell of fine weather, and ha\e their work well advanced. In this district a larger area than usual is being sown in wheat, the good prices ruling for *his cereal no doub r being the cause of the increase.

Domain. — A special meeting of the Domain Board was hold on Saturday last 'for the purpose of considering- tenders for the lease of nine acres of land, which the (board resumed possession of on account of a breach of agreement in connection with the payment of lent. Only two tenders .were received, and that of Mr William Russell (being the higher) was accepted, pro.vided that an assurance was given by the applicant that the conditions imposed by ithe board will be observed.

Social. — A welcome social was tendered ko the Rev. G. W. Harding by his Waikouaiti parishioners on Wednesday, 11th inst., the function being very hearty and enjoyable. The Sunday- School Hall was ttastefuily decorated for the occasion, and there was a very large attendance.. The Mayor (Mr B. Irwin) occupied the chair, and speeches welcoming the new vicar and 4)iß wife were made by the two churohwarHens and other members of the congregsi"tion. The Rev. J. J. Cairney (Presbyterian) was also present, and joined io tne •welcome extended to Mr Harding. A' number of musical items were rendered at •intervals during the evening, and refreshments were handed round by members of the Ladies' Guild.

Snow" and rain fell in the Arrow district )Q Sunday, but the weather is again fine.