LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Star, Issue 11099, 27 November 1899, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A meeting of delegates of a number of farmers' clubs in Otago was held in the board room of the Agricultural Hall on Friday, \vhen it was decided to form a Farmers' Union of Otagi and Southland for the purpose of uniting nil tho associations at present working in tho interests of the farming community, and so securing uniformity of action on matters atlectiug the welfare of the agricultural and pastoral industries. The following gentlemen were appointed an executive:—Messrs John Eadie (Heriot), Hugh Cameron (Tuapeka Agricultural Society), Coates and Bowman (Gore Farmers' Giub), Robert Craig and Livingstone (Waitahuna Farmers' Club), and Dalziel (Tuapeka ..Farmers' Union). Mr LUlziel was appointed secretary pro tera. of ihe Executive, who were instructed to communicate, with all existing clubs and unions and agricultural sooifrties in the province, and also the leading farmers of districts in whioh there is no union or other organisation, asking their co-operation with the movement. A similar union wasfonned about ten years ago, but it had only a short Ufa, and it was decided to write to the treasurer of that club asking him what funds remained to its credit. The Executive resolved to meet in Duuedin during the second series of wool salfs in January, and it was understood that a general meeting of delegates would be held during the winter show week,

A visitor from the North Island, to whom someone was remarking upon Mr Scobie Mackenzie's careless habit of appearing before his audiences'in everyday dregs, tells the following characteristic Btory of the late 3enior member :—Mr MarkerzV; was invited to deliver a literary addresa at P.ihiatua at a grand concert on the occasion of founding a Caledonian Society in the district, and went there accompanied by M-easrs Duthio and Maclean, M.HRs. On the platform everyone appeared in evening suit, and the president, the lato Mr M'Hardy, was gorgeous in the celebrated Massey-Watson 500guinea Highland dress. The member for Dunedin turned up in a thick grey Sooteh snit and heavy boots, the Bame a3 at the Garrison Hall. Advancing to the front of the stage, Mi- Mackenzie said ; "Ladies and gentlemeD, First of ull I have to apologise for my get-up, which I can clearly see is not up to the mark, But the fact is that I come from the Sunuy South (Otago was then under snow), and I can't stand the cold of the North Island. And, besides (waving hia hand towards Duthie and Maclean), the intense respectability of my two mates ought to cast a sort of reflected glory upon me." The cool impudence of the remark about the cold of the North Island put the audience ia a good humor, and the address went swimmiiigry. The Executive of the Council of the Christian Churches, at their meeting on Tuesday night, resolved to ask the miifsters of all the city and suburban churches to preach a special sermon on the "no license " question to their congregations on the 26sh inst. or the Sueday immediately before the poll, and to urge members and adherents to vote for "no license" at the forthcoming Looal Option poll. A number of the societies belonging to the Duuedin District Christian Endeavor Union were represented at the Convention held at Si. Leonards on Friday. At the afternoon session addresses were delivered by Dr.j Waddell and Nicholson and the Rev. P. J. Coesum ; while the evening meeting waß addressed by the Rev. E. C. Tennent, of Port Chalmers, and two members of the Otago University Student Volunteer Band. A concert was given at Sawyers Bay on Friday by the children, of the local school, in aid of the picnic,fund. The fan, wand, and dumb-bell exercise) were capitally done. Songs were contributed by the children, Miss Kelly, and Messrs Heath and Morton ; recitations by Mr Logie, Master Pairman, and Mrs Jack and Morton ; a pianoforte duet by Misses Field and Muurais; a mandoline solo by Mr Galloway ; a violin duet by Misses and Carter; and a double quartet by Mesdamcs Gilmour and Weir, Misses Weir, Mcsrs Plaits, Watson, and Flamanck The accompanists were Misses Mooney, Morton, and Hunter. A meeiug iu connection with the "colicense " question was held on Friday evening, in the Christian Chapel, Argyle street, South Dunedin. Addresses were given by Mr Charles Watt and Mr J. W. Jago. Constable Whelan, of Paeroa, while serving a summons on a man named Sc'nofleld, was attacked and rendered unconscious by a blow from a soldering iron. It ia alleged that a ferocious attempt to gouge the eonstable's eyes wat also made, but timely assistance came to hand. The man was pulled off, and, with assistance, conveyed to the lock-up. The issue of \hpr' much-admired penny stamp in two coma has been stopped by the Postal Department. The changes that were contemplated in the colors of low-value stamps cannot be made until special inks arrive, which will not be till the beginning of the year.