Kaitangata

Bruce Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3100, 19 September 1899, Page 2

Kaitangata

(Prom Our Own Oorrksponubnt.) The Tarious candidates aspiring for the honor of election to our borough were very much in evidence last Thursday, and many -were .the conjectures as to ir ho would prove the people's choice. All doubts,, however, were set at rest about 6.30 by the returning officer, who announced the following result : John M'Oodey, 150 ; Wm. Duncan, 86 j John Oaird, 78 ; James Campbell, 73; and Patrick Welsh 70. The first three named were duly declared elected amidst applause. Mr JVTOorley in the course of his address, thanked the ratepayers for the honor they had done him in re-electing him to a seat on the Council, and particularly for having placed him at the head of the poll.— (A voice: The more's the pity). Mr M'Corley : That remains to be seen. They were several ways in which the conduct of the borough affairs needed correction, which he would do his utmost to secure. He had had very many years experience in municipal affairs, and he thought he could consider himself well versed in municipal procedure. He hoped that in November, when he would again offer himself for another position, that they would rally round him, and place him in the enviable position he held to-day — at the head of the poll. Mr John Caird briefly returned thanks for re-election, but did not agree with all that *Mr M'Corley had said re the conduct of borough affairs. Mr Wm. Duncan thanked the people for the honor they had done him in giving him a seat on their Borough Council, more especially as this was the first occasion on which he had sought election. He trusted that by giving strict attention to his duties, and by watching the interests of the borough, that he would merit the confidence they had placed in him. Mr lames Campbell said he was pleased to think that although he was not successful, they had placed him higher than Mr Welsh, who was in every sense a retiring councillor. He announced that he would on some future occasion again offer himself for election, when he hoped to be more successful. Mr Welsh said that he was rather pleased that he had been beaten, as he wat not particularly anxious for reelection. From the foregoing it will be seen that Crs M'Corley and Caird have been re-elected, and Cr Duncan elected for his first time. From, the remarks made by Cr M'Corley, it would appear that he intends to offer himself for the mayoralty in November. GEICEBAL. A team from the Kaitangata Football Club journeyed to Balclutha on Saturday to play the return match with the Pirates, who eventually won the match by 18pts to 3. We have the makings of a very good team here, but want of practice and study of the rules tells its tale when a well-trained team is met. Welcome rain fell on Sunday, which if succeeded by heat, should bring the young grass and crop away quickly. KAITA2fGATA BIFI/Bg' BALL. The fourteenth annual ball held under the auspices of the Kaitangata Volunteers was celebrated in M'Veigh's Hall on Friday evening. The hall was mast tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens, the handsome Ladies Challenge Shield and the other trophies won by the members of the Company which were on view added to the picturesquenes« of the scene. A very pleasing effect was produced by a star made up of bayonets and cleaning rods set off on a red background, the whole reflecting credit on the designer. Kepre* sentatives were present from the Clutha Mounted Rifles, and with the local volunteers, who were in uniform, presented a scene very pleasing effect to the eye, their uniforms blending most harmoniously with the dresses worn by the ladies. Proceedings were opened with the Grand March, led Jby Capt. Rutherf orp and Miss Grace Byers, upwards of 45 couple taking part. Dancing was soon in full swing, and was kept up with much vigor till 4 in the morning, when the proceedings broke up. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Jas. M'Donald and Geo. M'Donald, itepdances by H, Duncan and J. Oliver, and a comic recitation by Mr Geo. Byers. The catering of Mr P. Welsh was quite up to his usual standard of excellence, and pleased the most fastidious ; while the music supplied by a local quartette was ail that could be desired. The Kait.angata Rifles can certainly congratu late themselves on the success of their baJJ ; which quite llptoined fte vojun-

teens' reputation as being providers of %c best turnout of tha season. An important item on the ball programme was the presenting ■of the trophies won by the members of the Company at the various shooting competitions. The Kaitangata Rifles ,as a corpß has earned for itself the reputation of possessing a more than ordinary percentage of firstclass shots, and the beautiful and expensive trophies with which the Company have been presented certainly were worthy of first-class shooting* As Captain Rutherford pointed out, it is only by assiduous practice at the range that success as a marksman can be obtained, and the giving of these valuable trophies to the corps offered plenty of inducement to practice. The prizes were presented by Mrs W. M. Shore, the recipients meeting with a good round of hearty applause on receiving their awards. Hallensteins Cup, valued at 12 guineas, was won by Priv. J. Smith, and Dt Fitzgerald's trophy (a splendid silver teapot) was also won by the same volunteer, who would appear to have a rosy career before him as a shot. He is quite a young man, and besides carrying off the cream of the prizes in his own corps, he showed up very prominently at "Woodville and Wanganui last year. Priv. H. Frazer won Mr A. Nelson's prize (a silver cake basket). Prizes presented by the following gentleman have been shot for and presented during the year — Messrs J. H. Moir, W. M. Shore, H. Hitchon, A. E. Farquhar, C. Anderson, J. Allen, M.H.R., and F. T. Poole. The Ladies' Challenge Shield and the Hunter Challenge Shield, which were on view in the Hall, were won by the Company 'B representatives at Wanganui and Woodville, who hold them for one year. The Company also carried off first honors for the highest aggregate in volley firing, worth .£22, and Priv. G. Frazer won the District Medal. Valuable cups for competition next season have been donated by Mr John Hislop (Dunedin) and by the Mayor (Mr Mackenzie). A corps with a record such as the above is certainly in a most enviable position, and the Kaitangata Rifles, as long as they put the same enthusiasm into their work, and possess the same capable officers, need have no fear of falling below their present premier position.