PORT MOLYNEUX.

Otago Witness, Issue 1502, 28 August 1880, Page 21

PORT MOLYNEUX.

(FBOM OUB 6WN COEBESPONDBNT.) August 19th. ( I again lift my pen to let you know what iff going on in this quiet part of the great world. Before stringing together a few items that may not be uninteresting to some of your numerous readers, lest the " Shepherd Lad," who slung not one smooth, but several rough pebbles from the shallow brook of his vain imagination should think from my silence that he has fairly annihilated the Goliath who boldly defended the Port— alias "Your Own" —l beg to state, for his comfort and edification that I am not. only alive, but "kicking" as lively as ever. Further allow me to mention that, despite the awful thunderbolt hurled at me by such amighty intellectual Jove (who is evidently a< distinguished student of the Andersonian University), I still boldly defend the "place o& my adoption," and that the escutcheon of my fame remains unditmned notwithstanding hist gigantic efforts to sully its brightness. If £ might be so presumptuous as to tender a bit of wholesome advice to my respected friend-— towards whom I do not cherish one grain, of malice — I would say in few words : — Ist. A . TO i(J personalities in correspondence. 2nd. F_ aye ft due regard to another man's feelings t a " n d do not needlessly wound them. 3rd* Avoid big "lang- nebbed" words, remembering that ordi« nary mortals are apt to choke in attempting to swallow such crushers as " par chological phenomenon " (some were askinr , J me the meaning of this grand phrase) ; and, 'm conclusion, avoid as you would the rattlesr a k e stirring up needlesß quarreh or engen(* iar i ng bad feeling, remembering that oftt? meg •« Discretion is the better part of valotr,.," an a that the man is a fool who for mere r jporfc knockß hiß nead agams t a P o^. Au rp,voir, mon bon ami I " and, as the Arabs cay» " May thy shadow never grow less."

Beginning with the highest of all topics— the' religions-I have pleasure in stating that, in addition to the regular and able ministrations' of tbe. Presbyterian minister, the Rev. WBanD.srman, on Sundays, we have been fa* yon.red with several visits of the Church of England clergyman from Balclutha, the Rev. W. F. Enowles, who has held a service on week-days in the schoolroom, which has been latterly well attended considering the weather, dirty roads, distance, etc. Mr Snowies hasbeen cordially received, and created a veryfavourable impression ; but the Presbyterian, element is too strong in this district for the flourishing of Episcopacy, and the members of the latter persuasion are few and far between.. However, we are not of a bigoted stamp, and wish God-speed to every good and true man,, who is sound in faith and practice, who seeksi to promote the religious weal of the district. Descending from the religious to the secular, I am glad to state that we aim not only, at moral but intellectual improvement, and that we had ceratinly a great intellectual treat lately, which we not only enjoyed for the time, but whioh has not yet lost its savour, I refer to the lecture on ''The Life and Writings of Sir Walter Scott," by Mr Waddell, M.A., who fe< the teacher at Warepa, and whose fame as a* popular lecturer is now widely established.. The schoolroom was orowded on the occasion,, and the eager looks and unwavering attention! of the audience, together with the frequents bursts of applause as the leoturer soared to heights of real natural eloquence, or read {» , 9 only a Scotchman can read) some stamp j» pieces from the writings of the illuafcri' jj U b author, showed how heartily the lectwza waa appreciated, It was a maaterpieoe, &f c i 0 . qnence such as one rarely hears in th& Colony" where real orators are few indeed,. I see the Tapanui folks are to be regaled V/itfc t T ae B ame intellectual treat on Friday n : ig ht, and hope there may be many to en joy it, We are proud of "our man" as a popular epeaker, and I don't think I am saying tno vmch when I say that even in the fair and intellectual City of Dunedin you cannot pr^ace euoh a popular lecturer as the Clutha cr^n boast of. So much for the intellectual an d the relfgious, and I now descend to the social platform, which is by r.o means, to be overlooked when we remembe* that, we have bodies a* well v minda an* sr; rt its that, must not be. neglected. • A\« T^ rk and no p i ay makeß . Jack a dull boy *r, a fcruß sayingj a^ d we muat , have our time* o y]f social recreat ion and enjoyment if we w jUld mam t a i u the proper equilibrium, ana 1 preserve the " Bana mens in sana> corpora. Well, we go in for a little fun now and tr^ Qj which they say "is relished by the wisest men ," Ergo, some of us must be among p-e wisest, though we may be considered foofi jy the "unco' guid." Abut two months ago we started our moonlight concerts and readings in the East Clutha Schoolroom, and have had two, which I am glad to say have been well patronised and thoroughly appreciated. The varied display of talent in the way of songs, readings, anal recitations was highly creditable, and I think,, without a grain of flattery, I may say that our local amateurs will compare favourably with) and excel a good number of country districts^ I am blamed occasionally for viewing small things in this district through a double-strong 1 magnifying glass, but there is no colouring , about the aforesaid statements *

As regards agricultural matters, not be? D » well veraed in the " Lands " Departme©' t ' f shall gather a few reliable statistics frean ' JOma of the leading farmers, and send them ? n mv next, along with a report of the felbnr /n (?erv fishing, and gold-mining industries, * ad wM not take such a long breathing tiw» between