OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10372, 29 May 1895, Page 4

OMNIUM GATHERUM.

NEWS AND .GOSSIP.

The Eev. R. L. Taylor, of Kensington, Melbourne, will occupy the pulpit of First Chore!) during June.

It is significant that Oscar Wilde's play at St. James's, London, was to be withdrawn in faveur of " The Triumph of the Philistines."

Eighteen cases under the Education Act, charging parents with Failing to send their children to a public school, will come an for hearing at the Police Court on Saturday next. '' ■ . • .. '

Messrs Tothill, Watson, and Co., of Danedin, as ageuts for Messrs Sutton aud Sons, London, have offered the Dunedin Horticultural Society the following prizes for competition at the autumn ihow :—(1) £5 5s for the best collection of flowers grown; from Sutton's sseds; (2) £5 S3 for the best collection of vegetables grown from Sutton's seeds.

The First Church Young Men's Literary Society held their usual meeting on Monday night, when there was a large attendance.of members. Mr R. G. Thomson read a paper entitled " Parliamentary Procedure," which proved instructive and enjoyable, and '_ was listened to with great attention.. A reading ■was given by Mr K. . Armstrong, " The First Operation," which ;also proved,enjoyable. Mr J. L. Sahnond occupied the chair. An enjoyable concert uader the auspices of the Waikruaiti Caledouian Society was given in Waikouaiti on Friday evening. The Dunedia Citizens' Band, under Mr Briggs, gave a couple of selections in good style. Songs were contributed by Misses J. and A. Duff, Messrs A. J. Blozam, S. M'Donald, and Baudsman W. M'Nair. Bandmaster Briggs gave a cornet solo, Bandeojftri Flint a violin eolo, and Bandsmen Flint and Brundel violiannd clarionet and mandoline and guitar duets. Miss Duff and Mr Marsden shared the accompaniments. A dance followed. .

On Thursday last Mr and Mrs W. E. Bastings were entertaised by the residents of Coal Creek Fl*t at s. social gathering prior to their departure from the district. During the evening Mr Bastings, woo has held the position of head master of Coal Creek School for the past few years, was presented with a handsome gold locket, bearing on the one side a nicely engraved monogram, and on the other the following inscription :—" Presented to W. E. Bastings by the residents of Coal Creek Flat for faithful services. May 23,1895." Mrs Bastings was also presented with a beautiful gold ring, set with diamonds and rubies. Mr John Bennetts, in making the presentation on behalf of the residents, referred to the work done by Mr'Bistings at the school as being uniformly tucceosi'ul, and said that he" would be missed in the district, not only in his capacity of a teacher, but also in a social way. Mr Basting*, in replying, said that his relations bad always been most harmonious with both the parents and the children, and he would ever retain pleasant recollections of Coal Creek Flat. On the previous day, it should ba stated, Mr and Mrs Bastings were also presented with a floral album—a spontaneous gift of the school children.