LUMSDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2517, 11 June 1902, Page 31

LUMSDEN.

June i. — During the past two weeks the weather has greatly improved upon that we hpve been used to of late, and threshing opsrations i and grain carting arc being got through rapidly. j Railway Truck*. — Farmers are greatlj 111j convriiienced by the scarcity of trucks to cany their grain away fioni the sidings. This io a burning question between the far1 mers and the local railway officials in each j gram season as it conies round. The nianagej ment on the Southland section is doing its utmost to rnoet the demands on the rolling stock at its command. Engjnes are being daily sent ml find to pick up loaded trucks !at all country sidi!-»«. This, no doubt, wi'l partially relieve the lugh pressiue on the crdi1 nary train service. Let the powers that be take the hint. Mutual Impiovenient Society. — On Tuesday night, 27th ult.. the management of this society presented a very enjoyable programme to i those who attended, one of the items beiris; I the question box, which in some instances caused no tmall amount of amufc-eruent. Some of the things n«ked were, however, nonsensical, j and quite unsuitable to the occasion. Our 1 motto ehould be : " Mutual improvement 01 I our morals and minds aud our manners." The j/remainder of the meeting was taken up with songs, readings, and recitations, and the enI lolling of severnl new members brought an enjoyable eveningls entertainment to a close. Meetingp. — A public meeting was held in the Ma-soilio Hall ou Thursday evening (29th), and I considering one cr two oi?:er counter attracj tions, a goodly number of gentlemen put in an ' appearance. The Rev. Jas. Lymburn (convener) was voted to the chair, and having read I tho notice stating the purpose for which the meeting was called — viz., for the taking of steps to suitably celebrate the Coionation of King Edward on the date appointed — it was unanimously resolved that preparations be commenced without delay to form a programme worthy of this auspicious occasion and of our patriotic and loyal community. A strong committee of all present (15 in number) was appointed, subdivided into sections, each of which was entrusted with the control and carrying cut of the various items in connection with their share of the becoming work. The programme arranged by the subcommittees so far is similar to what we read of at other centres — a short religious service in ths -forenoon, at noon a procession to march through the town, a mixed programme of outdoor sports, combined with the entertainment by refreshments of the children and aged of our district, m the afternoon ; a display of fireworks in the early part of the evening, and a concert contributed by our local talent and friends to bring the day's proceedings to an end. Mr Lymburn was appointed chaiiman ot all committees, and Mr MatheEon secretary and treasurer. Mr Clark, heaelmaster, and Mi^s Thomson, mistress, kindly consented tif family circumstances will permit), assisted by Dr Todd and Mr Small, to take the school children in hand and prepare them to give some-thing suitable for the occasion. The secrdtaiy was instructed to place subscription lists wilh the business men of the town, 'to be assisted by Mr Sexton, as collector, and if all contribute liberally according to their mem s. the sncce&s. of the .afLrir may he- considered assured. I Oddfellows. — The twentieth aJinivetaary of j the* local lodge was celebrated 0:1 Friday, 30th i ult., by a ba'l, which v.-as admitted by ali ;jicsent to be a. pioaoinccd sucee-s. About i.O couples took tLc i^oor :•: the grr. id maul). The' daikCC- ti!t> s ir (ylsrro, violin, tmd corne'.,i was supplifd b;, AL iia;.o ivl paiiy, of Goic, j and gave saiis'V tin 1 10 c.A. 'Ihe Refi-eihrncm I Committee hi-d the tabk « iwhkh were fic-sid-d over by lli-,^ ?.I.ir<;.i in hpr u e u.>! ffficii'iit manner) acma iy feio- *i:ig- und-.r tho gocti limits, but they vac r«Jie\ed of the>r tempting l.iiiile •-. A f.'-i-si.ig cii'cmc y ct tlie f-ven." D - v.£t t'i.- o.csentatioii of n fiaui"'! emLr!e - i> <■ the order to P. P. (J.M. Tiyt'. H:c.a)'. r Lhe prei s-fcjilit'ioii w;i<s made by i'.G.M. Bro. Millar 111 j a few appropriate and well-i hoscn leiuaik", j Bro. Small leelingly ieepondi:ig, and thank- ,' in^' the brethren of the lodge for their hand- ! some present. The inadequacy of the dancing ] and othpr accommodation piov'ided by the piot meters ou this, as 01: form?r ocessions, was ne\ei moie clearly exemplified than on Fiiday I L^ening ip.fc*. Those who lip.fl the nii c fortu. .» to be engaged in dancing iri the early pan <^f the evening -01 ct any rate a great number of them— v.-i'l cot toon forget the torture they -•.ere subjected to, ihc ia-diea m particular having their handsome drssses partially torn off and their d^iicalt'y encased loes flattened j like- pancakes, and as to pionounced nudges j v. ltu tlie elbov.-s of the steiri'r sex (accidental, I o: roui"='j), 1* uv.s p.'.ifu! as » spectator to be1 iiol'i. it is to Ij.' hoped th.it tlie local mauagej merit -ci this institution, may t.'.kc the hint, j pud scv that n:;ilt<v- are placed 0,1 a different looting by nczl aiuiivei-saiy, otherwise I irar they may lo a c then- rtputatio-i as the piemier i-unna! eutcitnii'TS of cur towi,. Valedictory. -Last Saturday evening, Slst , nit., a ic'-. c f Mr Rcidy's friends reet at ' his, ho".<-c 'Hoyal Mai! Hotel) foi th.* purpc-' 1 of frc.3ei.ting him with a harmonic silver watch aj:d "onif useful silver plate to Mrs Reidy, bct'i of whom v ill cany thr «rcod wishcb cf the Luru?cleii rciid«-iits with them wherever they go CaVdci-san Kocuy. -.Vi f 't< l'Ainment in ror., 1' ctiOii \. th thu s-oti 'v is i/ee!y talked 0., ie comi" ofi some unie m .iu'y --c.\-t. If this I 1.11 josal '% cir»:cd < 'U. I h-ivi ; c- fear oi it-> -ucce?-, lii.'ic cspet Ally !u'ow.i t; Iha'» the fuurt.oji v.nl i j Hi t'lf h:md-< !•■' the energetic pic-idc:.'., Ur Tock ! , as = 4 -te<l by c strong staff ot mir.Oi oiiiei.ils. Fire. -A stack of oat«. xhc piopcrty o r ?Fr Jpnie-) Lu=h, of Lciigridge, v. , ( s bur.it down la'-t Friday while about bei':s^ ihicshed. Mr Alien\ threshing plant narrov Iy scaping the samy fat". Tie Joss Wi I b^ Jcc-enly felt by Mr Lu c! i, ln.ire cspe^ialiy -1 he had 1.0 21: <urai.ee on the crop. June 0. — Fiost ami th,i i. fogs have been our share utn'.oppLtr.call> diiii'.% tlie pa=t week. 1 but it is no-.,- beautiiuliy iv\r. aiUl looks as ii i\c may «.->:])• ■ I . 'i-'l c - good wintei \\eathei ici ii tin^c *\ l.ci'.t. Dsclar.itioi. tf J'cire— O.i Monday n:oi.nrg la^t cuv to .mi -..b (./at '.) to .i -'.ate of great excitement an iccei')' 01 p tel^graui. from tli r - Acting-Premier (Sir'J. ('.. Ward* by Mr Claik (head teacher), notifying that ; l.i> c l:ad been diclarcd, anel that the v.ay i~ r,O'v o-nr Steps weie a" v once taken by ihe =<-ht.ol stafl and coiumittec, in conju-ict-c.. \v.;h a number of tho townspeople, to anange and cairy out a programme .suitrtbie for this happy event. A committee, sub coimvUoi?, and collectors were api omted. v.ho did yromaii 1 -, v.oik in collecting niater.al of all descriptions necessary fcr celebratng such an auspicious occasion. A woid of praise is due to motheis and womenfolk generally of the district, and to the business 7Dcople as a whole, who contributed handfcomely in cash and kind, for the free and liberal response they made to Miss Thomson's solicitations through the little ones at school for the 'upply of toothsome viands for the- children's treat next day (Tuesday). The programme for the day was got through without a hitch of any kind. The bill of fare for the dax opened with a football match. Gore v.

and Mj'«

I/rmsden, encKcg in -favour of Lnmsden by 6 points to 5. In the afternoon a procession (the longest evec seen here) was formed, headed by the members of the Oddfellows' Lodge. Next came the juveniles, then the footballers, the rearguard being taken up by the public, who turned out, young and old, to a man. Alter parading the main streets an adjournment was made to the Public Hall, where the tedies had the tables gioaning under all kinda of good things, but an army of waiters soon changed the scene, the contents being transferred from the tables to more elastic and movable quarters. The quantities so disposed cf in some instances reached an alarming extent. For all that, large quantities of victuals were left over, and the ladies decided to supply the dancers with refreshments during the evening, 'free of charge. This demonstrates th ; liberality and large-hc-artednc-ss with which the ladies brought their basketsful of good things. Short but appropriate speeches were n.a3e by several of our citizens, thus ending the victualling part of the programme. In the early part of the evening a short thanksgiving service was conducted by the Rev. Mr Lyinbi:rn in the Presbyterian Church, at which there vas a good attendance. Then followed a beautiful display of fireworks on the viilsge green. This part of the programme was under the supervision of Messrs DaVies, Kirkland, and Fraser, and was carried out to the entire s< tisfaction and safety of the spectators. The lcckets showed splendidly in the moonle3S sky, nnd tli" effect will not soon be forgotten by those pieseut, more especially the younger portion of the community. A very pleasiug fecture of the gathering was an impromptu speech by our M.H.R., Mr Gilfedder, who delivered a imost loyal and patriotic short adcbess, containing words of praise and thankfulness for the honourable termination of the South African campaign. The platform was a large newly-painted dray, and in it were the Eev. Jas. Lymburn, Dr To<3d; Mr Sexton, and Mr Lee. This part of the -progratnme ended by all present .joining in singing "God 'save- the Kmg." All adjournment was then made hastily to the Public Hall to hear Mr Gilfedder's political address, which was admitted by all present to , be a capital oration, our member proving to us by his fluency of. speech, masterly handling and clear exposition of the various burning questions of the day that he has a- thoughtful grasp of his political responsibilities. Many questions -were asked and answered satisfactorily. On the motion of Mr A. Small, seconded by Dr Todd, ft vote of thanks t:> ar.d confidence in Mr Gilfedder was carried unanimously and with acclamation. A. vote oi thanks to the chair, which -was occupied by Mr W. H. Clark, ended an harmonious political meeting. The final act in the day'« proceedings was an enjoyable dance by the young people, under the supervision of the Peace Demonstration Committee and the direct conduct of Messrs Davies and Kirkland, assisted at the refreshment tables by many matrons Kiid young ladies. At tho wind-up meeting of the Demonstration. Committee, which was held on the kind invitation of Dr Todd at his rooms en Thursday evening, sth inst., a very satisfactory rerort and balance sheet was submitted. TUe balance of £0 odd was donated to the Coronation •Committee for the purpose of purchasing silver medals, to be presented to all the jm eniles attending the Coronation ceremony (for which a-n elaborate programme is being prepaied). Thi9, with the doctor's cup that, cheers, but dcth not inebriate, brought this notable Junction ,to a hapjjy termination. Coronation Celebration.— A public meeting is called for Thursday next, 32th inst., in- the Masonic Hall, to discuss ways and means of carrying out a amiable programme for this occasion, and judging by th^ support already oifeied and the response made to the collectors aj.poinled. the success of the luncheon is alicady assured.