The Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, JULY 3.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 758, 3 July 1900, Page 2

The Ensign. GORE : TUESDAY, JULY 3.

At Friday's meeting of the Clutha County County Council Mr J. W. Thomson, M.H.8., was appointed to attend the Counties Conference in Wellington. Mr E. Clements, Pomnhtikn Downs, wrote stilting that there was one very bad place on the road leading down to the river, to which nothing had been done. It was getting quite impassable. Five loads of earth was all that was required. The ford also had had nothing done to it, and was in a very dangerous state. The engineer said he had omitted to instruct the surfaceman to repair the ford. The matter was left in the engineer's hands. The engineer reported that since last meeting contract 855, Kelso-Pukerau road, had been com-' pleted. This was all the business of distrio'. interest. The Invercargill Amateur Operatic Society purposes visiting Gore on the 18th inst, producing the charming comic opera " Charity Begins at Home." The cast is an exceptionally strong one, and includes such sterling performers as Miss Annie Smith and Mr A. Grenfell. Mr Barry Jaggers has received instructions to prepare special scenery to suit the Town Hall, and this he is doing "on an elaborate scale. Popular prices (viz., Is, 2s, and 3s) are to be charged, and the highest priced seats will be limited to the three front rows. The box plan for these tickets will be on view in a few days. A meeting for the purpose of arranging for peace celebrations at Riversdale was held in the Athenmum on Saturday evening last, but owing to the inclement weather there was only a small attendance. It was decided to adjourn the meeting till Saturday next, 7th, at 7.30 p.m. It was suggested by those present that representatives should be invited to attend from Pyramid siding, Wendon, and Lower WendonsUJe, and so mako as far as the district is concerned a united and suitable celebration of such an important national event. * " - v ' The death is announced by Sir A. Milner of Trooper T. L. Scott from gangrene. Scott was a member of the third contingent, and is a son of Mr Jas. Scott, Nithdale, Otaraia, and formerly of Chatton. •

The Waikaia Benedicts' Ball on Friday night proved a huge success. Bell's Hall was magnificently decorated, for the occasion, and .there was an attendance of some 50 couples. The musical department was admirably . administered by Messrs G. F. Edwards (piano), Bundle (piccolo), and • White"' (violin), and .danoing to the strains produced by this capable trio was highly enjoyable. Mr D. Russell officiated as M.C.. The benedicts ' and their wives put forth untold oxertions to secure the success of the function, and that their efforts were fully appreciated was unmistakably manifest. The catering being undertaken by the ladies was a guarantee of the excellence and sufficiency of the comestibles provided for the delectation of the guests. At suitable iutervals songs were given by Misses Taylor and Brown, and Messrs Taylor, Harris, Stevenson, Melton, D; Koberts, and McLeod, Messrs Familton ond L. Mclvor contributing hornpipes. Mr Christie, on behalf of the bachelors and other guests, returned thanks to the promoters of the gathering, among whom Mr Russell, ad secretary, is entitled to special mention. In reply to - a deputation from the Agrioultural Conference, the Minister of Railways said that several of the matters rcforred to had already been- nwst by his recentlyannounced reforms. As to the request for a reduction in freight, that might come next year, as the Government by reducing the passenger rates had gone as far as it could this year. He would, however, give some attention to the request for a reduction of rates for carrying drain tiles. To construct weighbridges at country stations, as requested, for tho purpose of weighing grain trucks, would involve a cost of. about £70,000, and that outlay could hardly bo thought of at present, but Mr Ward undertook to give some attention to the subject. He could not entertain the proposal that the department should carry stock free, nor could he see his way to grant free passes to judges doing duty at agricultural and paßtoral shows. Preparations are already being made for two concerts which are to eventuate at Waikaia shortly— one in aid of the funds oi the local cemetery, and the other to assist in tho erection of a Presbytery at Riversdale for the accommodation of the Catholic priest who is shortly to be stationed at that place in charge of the newly constituted sub-district of the diocese. ■ The enormous traffic which passes over the main road between Waikaia and Riversdale is evidenced by the frequency with which the application of maintenance gravel to its surface is necessary to keep it passable. Despite the lpng spell of dry weather experienced to within a few days ago, this thoroughfare (except during hard frosts) was continually kept coated with tbin slush of a particularly clinging nature. It is stated on good authority "that the Waikaia road, and that through the Waikaka Valley, carry more traffic than any other in the whole of Southland County. This faot should go along way to strengthen tho arguments of those who contend that the Riversdale-Switzers railway would prove a paying concern. . The newly formod Waikaia Railway League, created under most favorable auspices on Saturday night, promises to be successful in obtaining for the district that measure of justice which is its dve — viz., the completion of the Riversdale-Switzers railway. The membership subscription of the League has been fixed at tho merely nominal amount of one shilling, and the Executive is desirous that farmers and others throughout the large district to be benefited by the line should give tangible proof of their sympathy with the objects of the League by becoming members, thus strengthening its hands and broadening its sphere of influence. Wo have been asked to mention that Mr T. Taylor, National Bank, Waikaia, treasurer to the League, will receive and acknowledge subscriptions forwarded to him from any part of the district. An advertisement elsewhere intimates to milk suppliers to tho Mataura Dairy Factory that the final of this season's payments for butter fat will be available to them on Monday next. This last instalment amounts to ljd per lb for butter fat yielded by the milk forwarded by the different suppliers, and as 8d per lb has already been paid, it will be seen that the company is giving 9Jd for butter fat. The final instalment of lAd per Jb means the distribution of over "£I2OO among suppliers, the total for tho season approaching nearly £7000. Some 190 tons of cheese have been made during the year, the whole output being purchased by Messrs Tothill, Watson and Co. The season has been a moat satisfactory one to all concerned, and the factory continues to be admirably managed by Miss Dumbloton. At Friday's sitting of tho conference of the Southland Branch of the Now Zealand Educational Institute, motions were passed affirming that scholars failing to obtain promotion in tho school they attended, should not be able to receive such promotion by going to a neighboring school, and soliciting the co-operation of Southland teachers in the effort being made to secure a colonial scale of salaries. An excellent paper " Jane Barlow ; her work and influence," prepared by Miss Marianne Grant, was read by Mr W. H. Clark, the essayist being accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The following office-bearers were elected : — President, Mr T. M. Macdonald ; vice-presidents, Mr Thomas Shand and Miss Marianne Grant ; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. H. Clark (ro-oleolod) ; Executive, Messrs D. McNeil, Selby, D. Munro, and Miss Perrin ; delegates to the Council, Messrs Clark, Gazzard, J. Hiddleston, and Macandrew. Last night's meeting of tho Gore Girls' ■Literary Club was presided over by Miss Howes, tho attendance numbering 17. An invitation was received and accepted from the Young Men's Society to their meeting tomorrow evening. The 'first "Journal" of tho Club was read, and contained several first-class contributions by members. Considering the short time the Club has been in existence, members have every reason to feel gratified at the success attending the first " Journal," and special mention should bo made of the satis-facttory manner in which the editress, Miss K. Laurie, attended to her duties. The places for competitive essays were filled by Miss R. Macdonald (" A True Lady"), Miss A. Christie ("A Trip to the Oinut "), and Miss L. Beattie (" The kind of woman thnt makes the best wife ") in the order named. A vote of thanks was passed to Miss Laurie (editress) on the motion of Messrs W. Calder and Toviotdale. Next evening will be devoted to a debate, "Is fashion in dress au evil ? " the affirmative side being taken by Miss M. Mac Gibbon and the negative by Miss Laurie. The newly constituted Loyal Mataura Falls- Oddfellows' Lodge, M.U , is to be opened by the district officers to-morrow, and after the formal ceremony a social is to be held. A large number of visiting brethren from all parts of the district are expected t« be present, and a drag is , to leave Inder's TattersalPs Bazaar, Gore, for Mataura at G. 30 p.m. Board and lodging t wanted. Final payment for milk by Mataura Dairy Factory on Monday next. Wright, Stephenson and Co. sell a Waipahi farm at Gore on 14th inst. Tenders invited ror erection of stewards' stand, etc., for Gore Racing Club. Meeting, to form a trotting club for Gore on Thursday evening. Beattie's stocktaking cheap sale commenced on Saturday. The N.Z.L. and M.A. Co. sell a Waimumu farm on Saturday, 14th inst.-. Tothill, Watson and Co. hold a clearing sale near Waikoikoi on 18th iast. Particulars of Totbill, Watson and Co.'s clearing sale at Waikaka Valley published. Drag leaves Inder's stable for opening of the MataUra Oddfellows' Lodge to-morrow night. Claims against the late John Smith, Longridge Village,.to be sent to E. R. Bowler. H. W. Wait applies for a dredging claim on the Mataura. W. Lewis and Co.'s great stocktaking sale commences on Saturday. " Gore Liberal League, meets in Athemsum on Friday evening. ' For photos, enlargements, and picture framing try Clayton. ■ Hendersoii,and k ßatger have' horse oovers and fencingVire for.sale.-. . - " Out- Bbys'.^.by -the-, Gore Amateurs ' at Matanra on/Mtondtfy:ii¥xk-> 1-. , ' • '. • Balance-sKeef of: KmTptlale-" Road ' Board published. . . . „ Nelson,' Moate and Co.'s teas have stood the test of 20 years. Great Ctssar's Ghost! poor wasted frame, That' once full vigor did possess, Can't be a man in else but name, His cough has brought him such distress, The undertaker smiles to think _ Next winter's cold he'll not endure, Oh 1 ne'er say die, but take a drink Of W. E, Woods' Gneat Peppermint Cure.