OUR KUMARA LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 December 1903, Page 2

OUR KUMARA LETTER.

(ODR OWN COERB3PONDENT.) A fairly largo audience was attracted to the Theatre Royal last evening to hear Mr Bedford, M.H.R.,

speak on temperance matters. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. A. Murdoch) presided, and briefly introduced the speaker. Mr Bedford spoke for something over an hour and a half and fully upheld the reputation that preceded him, treating the subject in a masterly manner. Daring the delivery of his address and particularly at its close the speaker was heartily applauded. *At the conclusion the Chairman invited questions arising out of the subject of the address. Several were put and satisfactorily answered. Mr Mcllraith proposed and Rev. J. R. Clark seconded a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Bedford. This was carried by acclamation. Mr W. B. Gilbert, (secretary of the Sports Committee), desires to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of a handsome clock from Mr S. M. Spiers as a trophy towards the sports. This will be allotted to one of the events at a future meeting of the committee. It is certainly encouraging to see our business people give such pratical encouragement to the committee. In the matter of the sports, competitors are again reminded that acceptances close on Saturday ItHh inst, at 8 p in.

Mr J. W. Mcllraith, first assistant in the local school, who has resigned his position and is leaving the district, was the recipient during the week of several tokens of the respect in which he is held. On Wednesday night at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church he was entertained by the congregation and presented by the minister, Rev 0. 11. Crocket, on their behalf with a beautiful travelling rug. Several members of the congregation, including Mr J. A. Murdoch (Mayor) and Mr Benyon, testified to the high appreciation in which the recipient was held and also their sense of regret at his leaving the district. Mr Mcllraith feelingly responded and hoped that the same measure of support would he accorded his successor as he received. During the week the teaching stuff of the Kumara and Dillman's Schools presented Mr MMlraith with several handsomely bound volumes. He was also the recipient of a set of gold sleeve links from the children of Ids class. Mr MTlrailh left by the Christchurch coach this morning. Miss Taylor, one of the teacher of Holy Trinitv Sunday School was entertained on Wedudsday evening by the stall’ and presented by UcvMr Smythe on their behalf with a beautiful gold brooch set in rubies. In doing so bespoke tn high terms of the services rendered both the school and choir- —in the hitter ns organist during the last few years. .Messrs Waters ami Hcnham also testified to the appreciation of .Miss Taylor's services. .Miss Taylor left Kutnara yesterday morning for Wellington where she joins her father.