THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1704, 19 July 1884, Page 11

THE COUNTRY.

MILTON. (FROM OUR OWN OoHRGSPONiIBNT )

Ju> 16. PoliticaLi — MrR Gtllieo »'ldre3seJ a crowd d imeking of the o'eotors on the evening of the Bth inst., aud received a unanimous vote of corfldeisoo. Oa Saturday evening a meeting of th.so favourable to the election cf a local candidate wa^ hold in the Volunteer Hall. The Mayor of Mi ton (Vlr J. A. Dnthiu) was voted to the chair. A large number of Mr Giilies' supporters being present, a motion «as carried that they withdraw. This, however, they defined to do Mr E. Stewart proposed, acd Mr James Pecrio seconded "That Mr James M'JDonald was the moro fit of the two local oantiilotes ti represent Bracr." Mr Clark proposed, and Mr D. Reid eoconded— " That \!r H. Driver was tho more fit of the two local men." Tno object of ihe meeting was to considor which cf the two local candidates stood most chance of success, so that the peraon most deserving receive &Uch uupport as woald ensuie his return. Owing to tho lar^e number of Mr Gillies' p^rtL-ans who were yrego ,t, it waa thought injudicious to come to a divisioa cv the quef tt )u. Mr H. Coulter propo; ed thas a deputation wait upon Messrs Driver and M'Donald and endeavour to get one of tho gentlemen to retire This motion was agreed to, and a dei utation appointed. The deputation yesterday waited upon both candidates, each of whom, however, refused to retire from tha contest. Tho nominations took placo at noon today, tho Courthouse being crowded. Mr J M'DonMd wa9 proposed by Mr A. Duulop, and seconded by Mr^K. Stewart ; Mr R. Gillies was proposed by James Adam, and seconded by Mr W Dunn ; Mr U. Driver was proposed by Mr H. Clark, and eocouded by Mr G. Wilson. The candidatta ihen addressed thoEe pesont, after wbkh a show of hands waa taken, resulting in favour of »ir Driver. 'XJe figures wero : Driror, 35; Giliies, 28 ; M'UonalJ, )3. A poll waa demande I. The number of natnej on the Uruee electoral roll is now 1664. Lectures, &o.— An interesting illustrated kciure in 'connection with the Tokonuiriro Temperarcu society was given in tho Pretby terian Chuicti on Wednesday evening last by Mr James Adam. In showing the views, of which there were' 15, a powerful magic lantern was brought into use, winch reflect d a'l the ecenes in a very distinct manner. Amongst the Edinburgh places of interost shown were Holyroi d Palaca (accompanied with a few of the historical 6vents which have occurred within its walls, in .the ieourer's usual impressive style) ; the Grass Market, with the castle towering above ; St. Giles' Church, an edifice rendered Immemorial ia the annals of th« Reformation ; Princes street, with a view of the Art Gallery and monument erected to tho memory cf that grout Scotch novelist, dir Walter fcoatt ; Pmces street Gardens as scon from the top of Scott's Monument. 'JL'haro were also shown several views of Abbotsford, etnbrrcing tho river Tweed and Melbrose Abbey from two different points. At tho termination of Mr Adam's leciure, the President of the Society (Rev. Mr Chisholm)madea few remarks regarding the recmt fl etion of Lioensirg Committees, explaining tho action the Srcioty had taken therein At er wh eh Mr Duncjtn Wright spoke uron the Temperance quoßtion, warmly advocating the wearing of tho blueribbon, and adducing excellent reasons for bo doing. Votes of thanks to Mr Adam and to Mr J. Reid for the service which he had rendered in manipulating the n>agic-!antern, terminated the proceedings. On Thursday evening tho ordinary monthly mteiins of the Bana of Hope was held. A large number of children were present. The usual programme of recitations, &o , was gone through, the flfo atd drum band being i ) attendance, and eonsiderab y assisting in the success of the gathering. At 7.30 same evening Mr D. Wright oanducted Evangelistic serv'Cj before a •large congregation, and although Mr Wright has not entirely recovered from the effects ot his late accident, it is pleasing to see the vigour which he displays.

i liooGHtso. — DuriDg the pas 1 ! week two ploughing bees have heen held in the district, on Mr A. M'Lareii'a ground on Wednesday, and on Thursday at the farm which Mr G IT Kay has recently purchased. On both occasions the farmers turned out in good numbers, and a cocs.derable amount of ground was turned over.

Tire 'Opera. —On Friday evening tho Lawrence Amateur Opera Company appeared in St. Georce's Hall and performed " Pinafore " to an appreciative audience.