KAITANGATA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1957, 27 August 1891, Page 19

KAITANGATA.

August 24 —A meeting held in the Borough Champers last Monday for the purpose of forming a Mutal Improvement Sooiety was very successful, a large crowd turning up. The mayor was voted to tbe chair, and explained tbe nature of the meeting and the objects of the sooiety. It was unanimously agreed to form a sooiety in Kaitangata, and the election of office-bearers resulted in the return of Messrs W. M. Shore president, R. Fair.ratd vlae-president, and D. Waters secretary and treasurer, with Messrs Simson, Haynes, Bowie, and Poole as a committee. The membership fee was fixed at one shilling, and the committee were empowered to arrange for a suitable place of meeting and to report later on. Essays, papers, readings, &o. were promised by several present, also on behalf of those who were absent ; and great enthusiasm prevailed. Meetings are to beheld weekly on Monday evenings. ' ■ , Valedictory.— Mr Owens, pos 1 master here, is under orders to leave for Riverton, and I believe takes, bis departure on the 7th prox. As Mr Owens is a resident of some years standing, and has from the first been conneoted with almost' every movement for. the benefit of the town, he will be muoh missed and his place will not be easily filled. Prior to leaving he will be entertained by the townspeople. He goes to Biverton. and Mr J. A. Algie, from Balclatha, takes, his place here. < , Entebtainment.— A saored concert and service of song, entitled " A Day with our Lord," took place on Wednesday evenlDg.and was so largely attended that the hail proved altogether inadequate for the acconv modation of the audience. The entertainment itself passed off very successfully and refleoted great credit ofl Mr Hayes, who had charge of tbe .affair. At the close the Bey Mr Dodd called for a vote oftnanks for 1 Mr Hayes and the performers, and the company sang the National Anthem and broke up

' Tempekanck— Mr Walker, of Alliance fame, delivered a lecture here on Friday evening on Prohtbition, going into the question somewhat deeply, argui ing that strong drink directly and indirectly had caused more deaths in tbe United Kingdom than' all the wars all over the world for the last 30 years, quoticg statistics to prove his contention.' In theabience of the president, Mr William' Stephenson occupied the ohair. — The same evening after the lecture tbe Blue Ribbon Society held their annual meeting.' The report and balance sheet, which were read and. adopted, show tbe society to be in a very satisfactory position, having a small balance in hand after the, year's : transactions. The membership has also' largely increased. The Rev. Mr Fairmaid was re-] elected president and Mr Scephenson vice-president, Mr P. Bailey being elected secretary. General regret was expressed at Mr' Owens' removal, as he had long been secretary and had helped the society in many ways. The annual soiree tabes place on the 4th prox. Footbali. —Our boys, who may jtistly be styled " tbe premiers," left on Saturday morning to try,, conclusions with a combined team from Dunedin. The game took place at Burnstde, and resulted in a win for Kaitangata by two goals to one. The winners ] are to be congratulated on their success, but it is to be hoped in view of a more important fixture that they will continue practice and thus keep in trim,' and not only hold the laurels for Otago but also wrest tbe championship from Canterbury. No j doubt by practice and combination they may even j attain this "goal." A great crowd turned out to meet them at the station on Saturday night, and cheers were given on their arrival. The School.— Tenders have been oalled for the erection of a new school, and that of Mr H. M'Klnley, of Stirling, has been accepted, the amount bing £1476. Tto next lowest tender was that of a local man, but it was £200 above tbe amount of the accepted one. This seems a good sum fora school, but as the place is growing and tbe population extending, the amount is no doubt justifiable. Thb Weather.— During last week a good deal of rain fell, and some of the low ground was flooded, but at present there is a ohange for the better, frost having set in. The small birds are beginning to put in an appearance again, and in this connection I send you particulars far the Hotes and Queries column of an occurrence I witnessed a few days ago. U. x B.— The opening* meeting of tbe K. M. I. S. was held tonight, and a very pleasant evening was spent, a great number turning up. Impromtu speaking, and a paper from Mr Owens " On a trip to the West Coaet." were the attractions The mayor was let in for a stump speech, which rather surprised him, also his readers.