UNOFFICIAL ITEMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11658, 15 February 1900, Page 5

UNOFFICIAL ITEMS.

Ihe horso presented by the post and telegraph officers of Olago has been named " Despatch, " and has now gone into camp. The balanco of subscriptions, amounting to £9, has been sent to the secretary to assist equipment. Mr Thomas Brydone sent from the Clutha yesterday a truck load of very fine horses, all of which at once passed for service. Four of theso represent the gift of the Fernhill Club, and tho other to make .up the batch was bought for the committee/ A largely-attended meeting of those engaged iv the baking trade was held in the Coffee Palace last evening, far the purpose of raising funds to present Mr James Taylor with a horse and equipment in the event oE his being finally accepted. A considerable sum of money was collected in the room. " Good progress is being- made with the work of collecting in South Dunedin. Mr Al'Conuell, the treasurer of the South Dunedin committee, reports that there is over £60 now in hand. The committee will call the horse to be purchased "South Dunedin." It is intended to collect further subscriptions to purchase a horse and equip another man.' Yesterday the Telegraph department notified^ the Hillside Workshops Committee that as their man had not passed his medical tests they were in a position to hand over to one of the Hillside men a horse and £9 if the remainder of tho money could bo raised at Hillside. As the Hillside Committee had £10 in hand after paying- for the first horsa and equipment, tho offer was promptly accepted, and the balance of the money (£6) was raised during the afternoon. In the paragraph published yesterday concerning tho meeting at Green Island it should have been stated that Messrs J. Bayley and ■' Sons and employees were donating a horse, i It is tho employees of the New Zealand Re- J frigorating Company's works who are presenting a horse, and not the company. Our Lawrence correspondent telegraphed | yesterday evening :—" Seven country mem- | bars of the contingent got a good send-off from the railway station this afternoon."

A meeting of the Port Chalmers Floral Fete Committee was held in the Council Chambers last evening. The report from the Ladies' Committee was highly satisfactory, and, judging from the enthusiasm manifested, the success of the display is assured. The aquatic display will be an attractive feature. Captain Cameron has consented to judge this section. Tho Port Chalmers Band are getting up a very attractive exhibit, the muses, and intend appearing as a baud in fancy dress on Saturday next. The following are understood to have volunteered from the Taieri:—Messrs J. Sutherland, D. Gibson, George Turnbull, W. Fisher, Geo Williams, J. Findlay, Angus M'Lood, W. Hunter, H. Miller, and G. Orange. Four of these are ex-members of tho Hast Taieri Rifles. The,following members of the East Taieri Rifles have volunteered:—Sergeant Burns, Corporal Smeaton, Privates Dixon, Browne, and Henderson.—Advocate. Mr W. H. Taggart bought 18 horses at Oamaru on Tuesday for the contingent. The horses were a useful lot, and the average price about £19. . ° Horses have been presented by Messrs J. Tennant and D. and J. M'Pherson, Riverton. ■ • At a meeting held at Mataura on Monday night, Mr Thomas Culling wrote from St. Cinir, Dunedin, offering on behalf of himself ■ and partners in the Matmira Falls Taper Mill, ' a horse of the value of £25, stipulating that the horse be named " The Papermaker," and I bo ridden by one or the selected men from the surrounding district of! Mataura.

The Messrs Hazlett Bros., South Hillend, have volunteered.

The fnvo.rcargill and Gore contingents are to be tendered a public farewell oil Friday night.

A very enthusiastic meeting was held at Balfour on Saturday niiflit (cays the correspondent of tho Malaura Ensign) to endeavour to raise funds for horses for the local volunteers for the Southland Rough Riders. Messrs John Macpherson and .lames Butler each presented a horso, and a committee was formed to collect subscriptions and purchase one or more horses. A list was opened in tho room, and £19 13s was collected at once, and the committee hoped to have at least £30 in hand by Monday night. So far six Balfour men have volunteered for the front.