RIVERSDALE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1950, 4 April 1889, Page 17

RIVERSDALE.

Apbil 2. — The weather of late has been such as to Allow the threshing mills to be kept, steadily goingThe teamß"are also busily employed carting grain tjo the railway station, which has at present, .quite a 1 lively appearance. A large' parcel of oats was disposed of last, week to a Dunedin buyer for shipment to Melbourne, the price paid (I hear) being 2s 5d per bushel (bags in) f .o.r. at Itiversdale. Keen competition exists in the district a* far as local and outside buyers are.qoncerned, and sellers' will probably obtain a fair value for 'their grain before parting, with it. .Qgpd.samples are being obtained from that, already ,t£(r.eab,ed, and the yield^on the whole is considered 'satisfactory. j "jSuddbn Death.~A sad and sudden death occurred a few days ago, removing from our midst Mrs Wilson .Aitken, who had been but a short. time ilj. Great sympathy is expressed, for Mr Aitken and the ' young children. I understand that a subscription ' list in their behalf has been, heartily responded to, ' and no doubt the amount obtained will be thankfully received. i (p \ . Mb Douglas' Accident.— The sad accident which happened to Mr Douglas, station master here, has cast quite. .a. gloom over, the district. It appears' that In coupling' two trucks one of Douglas' feet got caughfc^etwean the points, and before he could release it the Wheel passed over the foot, cutting it very ! badly, while'at the same time the leg was terribly ! lacerated. Fortunately Mr Douglas had the presence of mind to at once roll free from the truck, otherwise he.must have met: with a shocking death. Willing hands were quickly on the spot, and had him placed on an .ambulance and conveyed by the train (which was just about leaving) to Gore, and thence to the Invercargill Hospital, where, from latest adviceß, he appears to be doing as well as could be expected. ■if it were possible to make the accident more sad, I may mention that Mrs Douglas was but a few yards away when the. unfortunate affair occurred. By his affable and obliging disposition Mr Douglas has made many friends iv the district, and universal sympathy is felh for kira. He is choir-master of the Presbyterian Church, and onSunday morning. last the Key. W. P. Brown made feeling allusion to > the sad accident. , ; Volunteering.— In connection with volunteer matters it may be mentioned that Sergeant Harper has been elected hon. secretary, and Corporal Kelly hon. treasurer of the' local corps. It.is possible that a match between pioked teams of the Gore and Biversdale Rifles will take place at Gore on .Easter Monday. ' • ' , ' A Bailway Gbjevanobu— At a meeting of the Waimea Plains Progress Committee held a few nights ago it w&i resolved to ask the opinion of the member or the district as to foe expediency of B\jbnji|ttng.

the matter anenfc a concession of railway rates for merchandise, &c, to the Commissioners of Bail ways. This is a step in the right direction, and I trust the request will be granted. .... ; . Athbn^sum.— At last the Athenaeum questionhas, to an appreciable extant, been solved. A meeting was held on Monday night, which was famj; attended. Mr John . Gee was chosen 1 cnairtnan,ana briefly referred to the various matter* to be brought; up for consideration. Dissatisfaction was freely ex* pressed, at the manner in which the affairs o| the Athenffl'um had been transacted,andafterdiscussion it was resolved-.— "That on account of 'the, unsatisfactory state of the rough balance sheet pre-j sented, this meeting has no alternative but to apj prove of its adoption, showing a credit balance;Of £1 5s Id; but should the existing liabilities be in. excess of the amount mentioned, no responsibility will be attached to the committee elected from' this date.". The following resolutions were, also carried unanimously:—" The -subscription '-to-be 10s 6d per .annum or 6s per half . year,- but if paid during . the I- present- month' to- be 7s 6d and Bs respectively";. "The library to be kept open to subscribers every Monday and Thursday from sto 5.30 p.m and 6.30 to B p.m."; "The com^ mittee to meet the last Thursday in"each month" t 11 The secretary to prepare a list ' of all books in' the Atheneeum, and if funds permit' the committee to procure a further supply of books and newspapers" 1 ; "That all books at present held' by subscribers, and others be returned to the-hbrarian before thed2tli inst." Other routine business was disposed of, and the following officers- were <eleoted:-^Freßidenti 'Mr W. A. -Donald ';>: vice-president, Mr iPeaee; J hp4 secretary and librarian, "Mr D.-Munro.; J hovif treasurer, Mr A. Macdonald; committee— Messr^ Gee, Aitken, JohnM'JCay, Dalglikh, Lisle, Ourrlejun., Wright, the secretary, and the treasurer. After the usual >vote of thanks to the chairman the proceedings terminated. )■ ''■ , t