SOCIAL AT MATAURA.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1144, 3 February 1903, Page 3

SOCIAL AT MATAURA.

A very successful social was held in the Christian Chapel, Mataura, on Friday evening last, for the purpose of saying farewell to Mr S. Elborn, of Dunedin, who has been for * the last ten or eleven weeks assisting the church in that place as a speaker and of welcoming Mr A. H. Smith, of Dunedin, who has entered on a six months' engagement with the Mataura Church. Mr W. Pryde occupied the chair, and referred to the long connection Mr Elborn had had with the Mataura Churoh, having been a regular visitor from Dunedin at Christmas time for nearly 25 years. Mr Elborn also referred to the early history of Primitive Christianity in Uie colonies and his connection with the Cnureh of Christ, dating back for nearly 50 years. Mr A. H. Smith also, in a spirited address, referred to the teaching and instruction he had received at he hands of Mr Elborn. An excellent tea was discussed, the good things being provided by the ladies of the congregation, and at a suitable time Mr John Thornley, on behalf of the Church of Christ in Mataura, presented Mr Elborn with a travelling rug and umbrella suitably engraved as a small memento of the good feeling that existed amongst the members towards Mr Elborn, and expressed the wish that he would be long spared to use them. Mr Elborn, in a feeling speech, returned thanks to the members for their useful presents, and for the many kindnesses he had received at their hands during a 25 years' acquaintanceship. During the evening a small but efficient choir rendered several anthems in a pleasing manner, and duets were sung by Mr and Mrs Thornley, Misses McLeod and Eeid ; Mrs T. Pryde sang a solo, and Miss Pryde gave a recitation. Mr Smith delivered his first gospel address on Sunday evening to a large audience, and Mr S. Elborn left for his home in Dunedin on Monday. The annual meeting of the Muddy Creek *" Dredging Co. was held at Holland's Chambers, Gore, last evening, eleven shareholders attending and Mr Jas. Holland (chairman of directors) presiding. The report and balancesheet (as already published) were adopted on the motion of the chairman after lengthy discussion. The retiring directors (Messrs J. Holland and J. Toomey)-were reelected, and Mr G. B. Paterron re-elected auditor. The directors' fees for the ensuing year were fixed at 42gs, and for the past 15 months at 50gs. The past audit fee was fixed at £3 3s and future audit fee at £5 ss. The secretary's fee was fixed at £SO per annum. On the motion of Messrs Cochrane and K. H. Hall the action of the directors in taking over the collieries at Waikaia was ratified in terms of the resolution pasted by the directors' meeting on January 19. Messrs D. M. Montgomery and A. Hartley were appointed a sub committee to confer with the owners of the Garryowen Co. in reference to the same matter. This concluded the business. The Mataura Mounted Kifles purpose holding military sports on the Gore racecourse on Wednesday, 11th inst., commencing at 12.30 p.m. A splendid programme of items has been arranged, these comprising all branches of volunteer work. Special train arrangements have been made to enable country residents to remain m town until the conclusion of the sports. Attention is directed to an important clearing sale at Mokoreta estate (near Wyndham) on Wednesday, 11th inst., by Messrs J. E. Watson and Co. The entries include 1453 sheep of all classes, horses, cattle, implements, furniture, etc. J. Mac Gibbon and Sons' stocktaking sale at Matauia commences on 7th inst. The Gore schools will hold their annual excursion and picnic at Queenstown tomorrow, and should the day be fine there should be a large attendance. There will be no necessity to travel in the uncomfortable covered trucks which are usual upon short excursions, the Railway Department having agreed to provide railway carriages. The train leaves Gore at 6.55, and reaches Kingston at 10. The boats will arrive at Queenstown at 12.25, and leave at 3.45, and Gore will be reached at !).10. Though the day will be a long one, still the break in the journey at Kingston, and the novelty of a steamboat excursion amid the scenic beauty of Wukatipu will serve to keep the children and grown-up excursionists from feeling time tedious. The t fares are very reasonable, Gs 3d for adults and 2s !M for children. The tickets may be ) had at Messrs Turntull and Jiicolson's this evening, and there is a strong probability that there will be no tickets available to-morrow morning, as but a limited number have been printed. i'or a Pain in the side or chest there is nothing better than a piece of flannel dampened with Chamberlain's Pain Balm and applied to the seat of pain. This same treatment is a sure cure foi lame back. One application gives relief. Try it.—G. E. Wharton sells it.