MACRAES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 13 November 1890, Page 18

MACRAES.

November 10.— We have not been exempted from the prevailing weather reported from other districts— namely, rain, wind, hail, and snow. As a consequence the crops are looking worse than they were three weeks ago ; and it is doubtful whether a reduction of the percentage of lambs will not have to be borne by our sheep-farmers. Political,— Mr Scobie Mackenzie addressed the eleotors here in the sohoolhouse on Friday night. Mr A. Simpson ocoupled the chair. The weather was awful, but In Bplte of this drawback there was a remarkably good audience. Mr Mackenzie spoke on the questions of the day very fully, but kept his hearers attentive and Interested throughout. He spoke strongly on the necessity for maintaining the State education system intact. He explained that he was oonvinced that either the introduction of the Bible Into the echoolt or a system of grants to denominational tchools would lead to so great an inorease in the burden of taxation for eduoational purposes that free education would beoome praotically impossible. He had long ago pinned his political faith to a system of eduoatlon whioh should be compulsory and free, and he believed euob a system must also be secular to be within the means of tho people ; for these reasons, and rlso because he feared the effect of sectarian division on the minds of the young he would always be found voting in favour of the existing system, and could not consent to win any election upon a ticket inconsistent with its firm advocacy. In relation to Mr Pyke's views, patt and present, on this question, and on some others, the speaker caused a good deal of amusement by reading a printed address which Mr Pyke had issued to the electors. I must say, however, that Mr Maokenzie was extremely good natured over it, and on other points did full justice to his opponent. Mr Griffin moved, and Mr Flynn seconded, a motion of thanks and confidence ; Mr Sheehy moved, and Mr Oockerell seconded, an amendment of thanks only, but for the amendment only five voted, and the motion was thus carried by a large majority.

Obituary, -It was with feelings of sorrow we received the sad news on Monday last (by telegraph) of the death of Mr M. Rich, head teaoher, Addlsiou, Nelson. Deceased, who was a native of our township, received his preliminary education here, finishing afterwards at the Dunedin Normal School. About 12 months ago he received the above appointment. He had an amiable disposition that grained the respect and esteem of not only his schoolmates, but all who came in contact with him. Great sympathy ii felt for hiß parents and sister in their sad bereavement.