TOWN EDITION. The Ensign. GORE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1896.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 212, 7 November 1896, Page 2

TOWN EDITION. The Ensign. GORE : SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1896.

Leading matter, correspondence, and several reports crowded out. The Eev. P. B. Frazer takes charge of the Pukerau, Waipahi and Ofcaria charge, in place of Mr B. Gardiner. A meeting of the committee of the Gore Kacing Club was held on Thursday evening, Mr A. J. Gibbs, (vice-president) in the chair. A statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with the late Spring Meeting showed that a profit of about £50 had been made. It was resolved to hold a two days' Summer Meeting on the 13th and 14th of January, and a programme comprising 16 event totalling £420 10s was drawn up. Mr Neil Fleming, says the ■ N. 0. Times,' who was crippled by rheumatism a few weeks ago, paid a visit to Christchurch to undergo treatment at the hands of a hypnotist and faith healer. Mr Fleming has returned to Oamaru as free from his complaint as if he had never 'suffered from it. It may be a disputed question whether there is really anything in treatment of this sort, and whether there is or not we do not say ; but the fact is that Mr Fleming went to Christchurch a cripple, and returned to Oamaru as supple as a three-year-old. The usual meeting of the Mataura Church of Christ Mutual Improvement Class was held on Friday evening, the president (Mr John Gait) in the chair. The attendance was not large, probably on account of the inclement state of the weather. It being "Magazine" night, the editor (Mr Tom Pryde) read several interesting papers that had been contributed by members — (1.) " Leading Article," on the benefits derived from contributing to MSS journals in connection with improvement classes. (2.) A splendid original poem touching on political events in the Mataura Electorate — past, present, and future. (3.) An essay on "Marriage," by a young lady, in which some heavy charges were laid against bachelors, and, lastly, a paper on " Keeping the Sabbath." Besides the above-mentioned " Magazine " articles, Miss Pryde contributed a paper containing a very interesting account of a two months' holiday-trip she had taken through Otago and Canterbury. Miss Ladbrook contributed a reading, and Miss Stewart and Mr Tom Pryde recitations. A quartette party rendered several musical selections during the evening. It was decided to bring the Class to a close for this session by a social on Friday, the 13th November. At the Dunedin Anglican Synod on Wednesday night, the Bible-in-Schools Committee reported in favor of the formation of a league for the purpose of urging an amendment in the Education Act, so that religious instruction in schools might be carried out on the plan embodied in the Education Act of New South Wales. Several speeches were made in support of the proposal, including on? by Bishop Neville. Canon Gould thought the Anglican body should not jeopardise the present united effort being made for religious education by standing aloof from other bodies, and moved, as an amendment, that they should not press for the admission of the clergy into schools. The motion was carried by a large majority. A strange thing happened at a political meeting at Amberley on Monday night. Mr Meredith, a supporter of the Government, had addressed a crowded meeting, and at its conclusion n, vote of thanks to and confidence in the candidate was moved. An amendment of a vote of thanks only was proposed, and the amendment was carried by a large majority, only seven or eight supporting the motion. The report says that the cheers called for Mr Seddon were responded to by some very energetic hooting. What has happened at Amberley ? A close holiday will bo observed at the Gore Post-office on Monday, the Prince of Wales' Birthday. North and South mails, usually despatched on that day, will be closed at 12 noon. The telephone exchange will be open as usual. Mr Justice Williams sat in Chambers at Dunedin on Thursday, to hear an application calling upon Mr Vigers to show cause why he should not be removed as one of the liquidators of the Colonial Bank, on the ground that his removal was desirable in the interests of the liquidation, and on the further ground that he is unfitted for the position by reason of his former relations aud dealings as an officer of the bank, and by reason of his subsequent conduct as liquidator. Mr Young, of Wellington, appeared to support, and Messrs Haggitt and Solomon to oppose. After lengthy evidence had been taken, the motion was dismissed, with costs £10 10s, and disbursements. At the date of the census (April last) there i were 299 sawmills and sash and door manufactories in operation, against 243 in 1886— an increase of 56, or at the rate of 23 per , cent. The North Island has by the returns 155 mil!.-!, aud the Middle Island 144. The hands employed in these mills increased during the quinquennium at a still greater rate, the figures being 4059 persons for 1896, and 3266 for 1891, increase 793, or 24 per cent. Four of the hands employed in 1896 were females. The number o£ hands given in the returns does not include everybody employed in connection with the industry, as there are many men engaged in the bush work not included. Further particulars are as under :— (1) Value of land, building, machinery and plant— April, 1896, £573,422 ; April. 1891, £500,272 ; increase £73,150, or 14-62 per cent. (2) Value of all manufactures during 1895 and 1890— year 1895, £898,807 ; year 1890, £832,959 ; increase £05,848, or 7-91 per cent. The value of the export of timber for 1895 was £148,995. Bicycle for sale. Traction engine and mill for sale. Look out for D. Taylor's advertisement in our next. J. H. Smith, Gore, is agent for MasseyHarris and Co. National Mortgage aud Agency Co. sell a Tuturau farm on 12th inst. Pukerau Organ Fund Concert postponed till Friday next. Annual meeting of the Pukerau Caledonian Society on Wednesday. Annual election of Mayor for Mataura on Wednesday, 25th inst. J. A. Simson and Co. sells stock at Mataura on Thursday. Otto G. W. Hast and Colin Robinson nominated for Waikaia Biding of Southland County. Clements Tonic and Fletcher's Pills for various complaints. Polling places for Waikaia Riding of Southland County advertised. Mr Henry Graham addresses the Wakatipu electors at stated places.