KIHIKIHI.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 375, 29 December 1898, Page 2

KIHIKIHI.

* Rev. Father Luck.—l am exceedingly sorry to have to report that the latest information re Father Luck received from Ponsonby, where he is at present residing with Bishop Lenihan, is to the effect that he is in a very critical state of health, so bad, indeed, that he has received the last rites of the church. The Hay Harvest.—The extremely broken and showery weather of late has proved very harassiug to many of the farmers here who have been engaged getting in their annual crops of hay. In most cases there has been a very good supply of meadow grass, but tho constant getting wet and- drying after being cut has considerably spoiled the quality of much of it. In the case of green oats, a good deal of which has been lately cut, the growers have fared similarly,

Christmas Church Service.—There was v a large attendance at the Presbyterian Church here on Sunday evening last (Christmas Day). The Rev. W. Smith preached a capital aud most practical sermon, well adapted for this most joyous season of Christmas, taking for his text Nehemiah vm., 10 : " Go your way ; eat the fat aud drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy unto our Lord ; neither be ye sorry, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." During the service the sacred solo, " The Star of Bethlehem," was beautifully and impressively sung by Miss Ross. The collection taken up was devoted to foreign missions. Holidays.—So far, the holidays have passed off very quietly here. A good many of our residents have left for town, of course-intent on visiting the Exhibition. All are, however, reserving their efforts for and. anticipating the enjoyments of the annual sports and races on New Year's Day (or rather Monday, 2nd January). If only the weather will become more settled, there will be a very large gathering, and, as the energetic secretary (Mr Armstrong) and the committee are working hard and the entries so far, as may be seen elsewhere, are numerous, I can only recommend everybody who is able to be sure and attend. —(Own Correspondent).