TAIERI FERRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1974, 19 September 1889, Page 17

TAIERI FERRY.

The weather still keeps fine and the grass and crops are in a forward condition, a<"d our farmers have been taking lull advantage of the long spell in order to get in the seed while everything is so favourable, Special Bath,— A public meeting of the ratepayers of the Waihola riding tiook place in the "Waihola School on Saturday,, the 31ot ult., to take into consideration the recent action of the Bruce County Council in levying a special rate to meet the amount the riding is in arrears. It appears that ,the county some time ago. in looking into its financial position, came to the conclusion, that matters were not what,' they ought to be In this respect, and in order to ad>

just the finances on a more satisfactory basis, they , resolved to specially rate' those ridings which were , overdrawn. Tbe Waihola riding being one' of the fcrangreßsors in this respect, came under the ban, but ' the ratepayers are somewhat sceptical as to the just- ', ness of the amount "they 'are debited witht-viz., some £300. . They are under the impression that two-thirds of the amount is owing by the late, Waihola'Road Board, owing to some financial irregularities in the management of that body prior to its merging into the county some years ago. Whether such, is the case or nob remains to be proved, but if it is, the ratepayers naye every right to know, seeing that they have^tpst^nd, the brunt. Mr Orane'was voted to the chair, "and gave a very' clear exposition of the ease, stating that, the impression which' was prevalent in the mipds'of the ratepayers' wltti whom lie had come into contact was that the matter is in a' very" unsatisfactory condition. ' The meeting' at, this .stage took the form more of a conversation than anything else, till Mr James Smith moved that ,» letter be . forwarded to. the' council asking full 'particulars of the amount set againet the riding. Af 'thia'etage the discussion became somewhat desultory, and some exchange's of cqmnjiments were indulged Jn ,by, a few of the speaker's, when a vote of thanks was passed to the, chair, and,. the. meeting 1 broke up. Since penning' the^bove the ' Council has Wet, and the matter is put off for a month.' ' ' : Y.M.M.^.S.— The Young Men's Mutual ' Improvement Society is a decided success this year, and the interest taken in the meetings Is very encouraging. Ladies have been admitted, and it is in a measure to, their presence that the society owes its popularity. One night of every month is devoted to a social' gathering, when we have songs, readings, &c, and a dance up to 11 o'clock. - j ' Benefit.— The concert on behalf of the Prazer family drew a very large number of people, the building being packed to overflowing. Mr, M'Duff acted as chairman, and nothing was left undone by him to make the gathering as successful as possible. He was ably assisted by< Messrs A. Sinclair, Bell, and Robertson— members of committee— who did yoeman service in carrying out the work." The programme was a very lengthy and varied Dne, and each item was given in capital stylo. The foU lowing ladies gave- songs :~Mrs King. (Milton); Misses Taylor (Milton), M'Kegg, Millar. M'Kay (Berwick), and Messrs King, Millar, and Ferguson] Violin solos were rendered by Mr Cheyne and cornet solob by Mr Scott. Selections were given by the Berwick Braes Band, and Messrs Cheyne, Scott, and Allan. Mr Allan, of Mosgiel, played the accompaniments during the evening. At the conclusion of the concert the chairman returned thanks to the friends from Mosgiel, Milton, and surrounding districts for the assistance they had given to the entertainment, and to the audience for the way they had responded to their efforts by turning out as they did in such numbers. The proceeds amounted to over £20. I

Pkoposed Haij,.— l have every faith that a hall will now be built at Henley after the large meeting we had in the school on the 9th inst. It was quite apparent to all that the building is much too small to meet the requirements of the district, even supposing there were no other objections to it. lam of opinion that if the committee would make a move something woald be done one way or the other to bring matters to a point ; but they will not do anything, apparently. I am led to "believe that they were to call upon the residents to see what support they would receive, and report at a future m ietlng. Some four months have now elapsed, and the matter is no further advanced. Surely in fairness to the trust reposed in them they will not remain quiescent any longer. A meeting should be called at once and a report submitted as to what has been done.