BALCLUTHA MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 1062, 28 January 1879, Page 5

BALCLUTHA MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

AN EXCITING MEETING.

A meeting of gentlemen desirous of establishing a debating society in the Clutha district waa held in the Athenseum Hall, Balclutha, on Saturday evening last.

Mr It. Pigg was voted to the chair pro tern. He said— Gentlemen, thie meeting has been called for tbe purpose of establishing a Mutual Improvement Society in Balclutha. That such a society would be beneficial in a very great degree there can be no doubt. When I look around me and see the many ignorant and demented creatures that have congregated in this-

Mr-F.-S. Cunning— 'All.

Mr Pigg — I wish Mr Cunning would not interrupt; me. I was about to say that when I look round and beho'd the many ignorant and stupid individuals who populate this district— -when I consider that the only intelligent men in the place are the few that I now see before me, can I help realising the necessity for such an institution as this. The only consolation I experience in contemplating this revolting state of things is in the fact that we have in our midst — yes, even in this hall — a man of genius, an intellectual giant. (Here Mr Pigg looked hard at our reporter, and our reporter modestly smiled). A man whose name will live in the annals of fame long after the earthly fabric which contained his glorious soul will have passed away eternally. It is almost unnecessary to say that I refer to our fellow townsman Mr J. Smite Flaming. (Here our reporter looked hard at Mr Pigg, and Mr Pigg smiled). 'Tis only in the contemplation of this man's great mental attributes ; 'tis only in the recollection of his marjy generous public acts Mr Don — Especially with invitation tickets. Mr Pigg— l treat Mr Don's insinuation with the contempt it merits. I say it is only in that contemplation, in that recollection that I experience the slightest satisfaction, the slightest consolation. Mr Flaming is a man who Mr Cunning — Gentlemen, I hobjek to this sort of business. We didn't come 'ere for the purpose of listening to a lengthy di solution on Mr Flaming'g varigated virtues and accomplishments. We came here to form a Mutual Himprovenieut Society. Let us do it or go W. Mr J. Smite Flaming — I think Mr Pigg should be allowed to proceed with his remarks. I am sure they are of a highly entertaining aud instructive nature," and calculated to implant in the bosoms of the youthful a spirit of Flemulation and Mr Don — Oh, shut up ! Mr Don was called to order. Mr J S. Flaming — I really think Mr Pifjg's speech was one of the best I have listened to. 'Tia remarkable for its sagacity, wisdom, and truth fu ness, and I do not think it was right for Mr Cunning to interrupt him as he did. Mr Cunning — T am not at all supprised at Mr Fiatning being alleviated at the speech. But I think that that sort of thing should be deponed till the business of the meeting is done. Let us first helect hour President, then decide on a subjek for I discussion at our next meeting. When that is done, Mr Pigg can hair 'is heloquence. I shall go 'ome. Mr Pigg — I am sorry that I was interrupted in that unseemly manner. I wag about to remark that Mr Flaming was a man who Mr Don — He's at it again. (Cries of " Shut up," "Put 'im out," " He's quite right," and great disorder.) Mr Don — Gentlemen, to put an end to this annoyance, I beg to propose Dr Schmidt be elected President of this Society. Mr Cunning seconded. Mr Pigg moved that Mr Flaming wa§ a more fit person to be President of the Society. Seconded by Mr Fleming. A poll was taken, and Dr Schmidt was elected, having ali the vott s save two. The President then took the chair, and stated he felt highly honored Vy hia position. A s it was gettiDg late, he would proceed to business at once. A number of subjects had been written on slips of paper by the members, from which one was to be chosen for the next night's discussion. He would suggest that the meetingr^ppoint two of a committee to act with him in reading and deciding on them. A committee was appointed, and after half an hour's deliberation on the questions, y The President said — Gentlemen, the questions submitted to us are of a peculiarly varied and interesting nature, and it is with g;eat difficulty we decided which to choose. To show you the trouble we were put to, I will read you one or two of them, and give our reasons for ultimate rejection. The first one is from Mr Cunning, as follows : — "Why should a Council or be forced on the Finance Committee when he wants to go on the V'orks Committee?' This is a conundrum. We gave it up. The Borough Council may be able to answer it. The next question was from Mr Don— •' W«* the system of distributing invitation tickets reoentiy adopted in Balcluth*

calculated td promote' the interests of a newspaper ?"' Tha digussion of this question woujjd pj^yp, highly instructive, and the Committee had no doubt Tjut that by its mean? light niighTbe thrown on a nik'ttef *:¥hieh f w&^afc^rrifcnt "toVedoped )fi fi iny serious* darkness. Still the questßh"WaS Scarcely' fit for them to diseufrs. $He ' last rejected paper -I will read ia from some anonymous individual, and contains this question as his idea of a fitting subject for our deliberations, viz., '^.J^^^l.^i^^A.cS a, go^t?" Novj*, ; gentlemen, of all the subjects Awe i ■were compelled to reject this was the one X,. ielt most sorry ,to throw out. This," gentlemen, ;*U a question which is at present engaging the attention of all the greatest, intellects of the universe. This is a question upon which the mind of mankind is harassed with conflicting imt pressions and ideas. It is a "question which . everyone can study with incalculable benefit to himself j but it is a,, subject too profound; for men of ' yoiiny mental calibre to fittingly discuss. Gentlemen, you have not mind enough to decide which is the butt-end of a goat. I will now merely state that we have gallantly determined M that our first discussion will be devoted to the ladies, the question Wng, '' What is, womans proper social position?" (Eapturpus applause). This is all we can : do to-night, so I suppose we had better adjourn till next Saturday night. Mr Pigg— Before this meeting adjourns, I should like to conclude the remarks that I was about to make when I was coarsely interrupted. My friend, Mr Flaming, is a man, who — who — as a man and brother — as an editor and Good T— plar— as a — as a— ass a — Here all the members with one exception, made precipitately for the door. Our reporter had occasion to pass the hall an hour afterwards, and seeing it still lighted, peeped in. Mr Pigg was still; eloquently declaiming on hia favorite theme, and the (Mr Flaming), was, judging from the seraphic smile that played on its lips, evidently highly pleased and entertained.