MACRAES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1928, 2 November 1888, Page 13

MACRAES.

October 27.— During the earlier part of the month this district has been no exception to the rest of New Zealand as to the prevalence of heavy gales of wind. Welcome rain, which fell on Monday, has had a very beneficial effect on the grass and crop*, which were suffering greatly from drought. School.— The usual examination In collection with our school was conducted by Mr D. Petrie on Thursday. The report shows the school to be in ft very satisfactory state, the percentage of passes being 88. Of the number on the roll only three failed, two of these being attributable to absence from Bchool. Great praise is due to Miss Dippie for the excellent manner in which she executed her duties as teacher, seeing that the school has been closed for nine weeks out of the 12 months. Social Meeting.— As a wlad-up to the Rev. A. Bruce Todd's Bible class for the season, a meeting of a social nature took place in the schoolroom on Wednesday evening, and was well attend* d. Mr Todd occupied the chair, and after the preliminaries introduced Mr Lawson, of Palmerston, who, he said, was In attendance with his magio lantern for both the amusement and instruction of the audience. Mr Lawson commenced by showing a large number of views of the most notable buildings, both ancient and modern, in England and Scotland, statuary, and a panorama of the " Cotter's Saturday Night." The connective readings were given by Mr Todd. The last scene in the " Cotter's Saturday Night"— two lovers breathing out the tender tale— no doubt caused pleasant reflections in the breasts of some and anticipations in those of others. These were followed up by pathetic and humorous readings and pictures, tbe monkey's feats on the horizontal bar coming in for especial applause from the young folks. A numlx-r of photographs of eminent and local men were well recoived. The presentment of the Qaeon called forth the national anthem, which, with the usual formalities, brought the entertainment to a close.