PUERUA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1754, 4 July 1885, Page 13

PUERUA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) June 29, CoNcrutTS., &c. — The second of a series of monthly concerts and readings took place in the Puerna Sehoolhouse last Friday evening. As Upon the tormer occasion it was a great success, the schoolroom being crowded. Among those present I observed visitors from Ahuriri, Glenomaru, Port Molyueux, and Wailepeka. The teacher. Mi- Eix, prehided, and in a few well-chosen words gave each and all a hearty welcome. Proceedings were opened by a selection of music by. the school children, who also sang two other pieces during the evening. The excellent time they kept, and the miinner in which their voices harmonised, proved the skilful traininn they had received from their teacher. Among the lady singers Mrs Anderson and Mi--s iTegg. who ai-e great favourites at, Puerua meetings, in consequences of their freely giving their services for social and charitable objects, sung two sonir'. each with their usual good taste. Unfortunately Miss Jaekman was suffering from a severe cold and could she no assistance, but her place was ably filled by Miss Maude Jackman, a very young lady, and wlio in a tew years will no doubt take a prominent place in our social gatherings. The singers of the sterner sex rendered both comic and sentimental songs. «vnd Messrs Dudley. Fraser, Jackman, iun., Hix, AVillb, Wilson, and Hoscoes were heartily applauded, and some of them received even double encores. Keeitations were ghen by Mr James Anderson a'ul two little school ftii'ls, and humorous readings by Messrs Henderson, Jenkinson, Watt, and Ittx, ben. 'Mr James Tait ably accomnadied the singers upon the harmonium. The proceedings were brought to a close by the audience singing the National Anthem. The young people then adjourned to the playshed for a few hours dancing, music being ably supplied by Messrs Anderson, Hay, Jenkinson, Lindsay, and. Tulloch. Agricultural.— ln consequence of the few weeks' favourable weather that we have experienced, farmers have been able to push ahead ploughing operations, and from the quantity ot ground already broken up, it is, evident that the low price of grain is not deterring them Irani planting. As a matt or of course, the new system of favmingbeingso extensively adopted— viz., rotation.of crops so as to renew the grasses— compels them to grow more or less grain, whatever may be the market prices. Licen&ing The annual licensing meeting took place at the usual time, and both applications for renewals were granted. The consideration of the application for a new license applied for by M'Vial was postponed on the application of his solicit or till next meeting, it being explained that the new house would not. be finished tor two months. The general opinion is that the application will be granted, as a house is sure to be required at the railway-station.