Maheno Notes.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 8834, 14 July 1905, Page 1

Maheno Notes.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

-V few changes have taken place in our township since 1 last wrote. Both of our local stores have undergone a complete change. The one known as Fea's has quite disappeared, by fire, nothing being left but a crumbling old chimney, tins calamity having spoiled the appearance of our hitherto neat little township. On the other side of the street things are quite di'Teient. The store and other buildings have received an extra coat of paint, and have been made over, together with all the farms belonging to the estate, to Xewlands Bros, by their mother, who is, 1 understand, retiring from active life. The members of the Maheuo Brass Band are still keeping up their practices and doin" fairly well, it- is a difficult matter to make satisfactory progress in a small country township, as some of the bandsmen are always on the move. I am very sorry to see a great falling off in the attendance of members of the i'resbvterian Church. Now, I don't know what to think of our young people who have vocal talents and will not use them; they should be put under a bushel, neck and crop. The Maheno Debating Society hold thenweekly meetings as usual. During this session we were treated to a very fine lecture on "Explorations in New Zealand," by Mr Thos. Mackenzie, M.H.R., which was much appreciated by a large audience. On the whole, the members of this Society are doing good work, by taking subjects for debate that are interesting and instructive. Last Wednesday evening the members rather departed from their usual course, the debate being a political onenothing short of a note of want of confidence in the present Government being proposed. When the Speaker entered the Chamber arrayed in gown and wig, some of the ladies 'in the galleries smiled, but the very serious countenance that that gentleman maintained had the desired effect. Both Government and Opposition were very well represented indeed. There was even a "Tommy Taylor" present. The charges levelled at the Premier of extravagance and many other unjustifiable actions were fast and furious, but were very ably combatted by the Premier and his "supporters; in fact, at one time during the debate the Speaker had to lay on the table (just as a hint to honorable members) the only J.P. that Maheno can boast, of, in the form of a, very dangerous-looking blackthorn, which, I am pleased to say, had the effect of maintaining order. The Minister for Railways was the only Cabinet Minister who was let down easily. When the division bell rang, the result was found to be that the vote of want-of-confidenco was carried by a majority of one. On Monday the i7th, Mr J. M. Brown, of Oamaru, is to be present at our debate, and will give us a real guid half 'oor of his funny stories, "maistly Scotch." _ I know no one who can tell those stories like J.M.

The surrounding country is looking bleak just now, but we are getting a beautiful winter. Stock in this locality are looking well. Most farmers have a good supply of turnips, enough to carry the 6tock well into spring. The ploughing is well advanced for this time of year. All the winter crops arc in. A good many farmers are sowing early, meaning to have an early harvest, as they reckon there won't be an oat left in the district long before next harvest comes in, and I believe it. There is very little grain held here this year.