WAITAKI MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

North Otago Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4082, 12 October 1885, Page 3

WAITAKI MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I ihould be very Borry to bgo tho Society dragged through the mud in the same manner as the Hluo lltbbon Army have been, witli all the Bpleon nnd vituperation of autocratic c'orpy. Still, as a member of the above society I cannot allow the remarks of your correspondent to pass unchallenged. The report is certainly not calculated to encourage the young folks who trok part, and so ably contributed to a nighi's nmusement. In fact, the report is so full of omissions and commissions that one is almost led to ' think that your correspondent had some < sinister motive In view. He aaya that 1 simplo country folks are easily pleased, i but he forgets that somo country people .' have travelled, and have had the privilege i of listening to come of tho best taleat in ( the world. Sill they aro endowed with a homely feeling nnd can enjoy a moal of ( homely fare f qually as well as, or perhaps ' better, than «hey would higt.flown sentimentality. But what does he meau by the horse with the greasy lee, soft Bonp, etc. It strikes me very forcibly, Bir, that ] " the horse with the greasy leg " was con- ( spicuous by its absence, and through ] being debarred from enjoying itself along I with other horses, it took the meanest < and roost dastardly way possible of throw- < ing cold vrater on the affair. As for 1 "soft Boap," I puess that no one uses j more of that oommodity in e»ery day life ( than your vivacious correspondent. 1 I will now, Sir, with your permission, ] give the names of all who took part in Ihe ' entertainment, with very little comment. ( I may be allowed to say that every Item < was well rendered, and heartily received 1 ly the audience, and encores demanded 1 in several cases. Tlio ladies were the £ Misses Smtllie, Lindsay, and Fridd ; the t gentlemen — Messrs E. Fricker. H. El- f ston, and G. Fridd ; Masters Johnston, 1 Trotter, and R. Smillie, who sang with a • splendid voice for a lad ao young. Master J. Smillie and D. Hutchison gave humorous and fun-provoking readings, whilo Messrs Biaaett and Edwards gave recitations, the letter's, I presume, being one of his own making. In concluaion, I may safely say that a very enjoyable night ( was spent, and it is a great pity that such ( gatherings are not more frequent, for I . look on such gatherings as being calculated to engender a feolins; of social pood ( fellowship, that should ba the leading characteristic of a new countiy. By publishing the above you will oblige, A Member,