BALCLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1966, 29 October 1891, Page 20

BALCLUTHA.

October 25.— some short time ago the Olutha Biver Board decided upon taking over the steamer Matau from Captain M Kinnon and Co., who had been running the boat under oontraot for a number of years. Consequently applications were invited from men competent to fill the positions of captain and engineer respectively, with the result that Captain J. M'Lelland got the captain's position and J. Sheddon that of engineer. Captain M'Kinnon applied for the captain's position, but as his offer was a couple of pounds above that of Captain M'Lelland the latter secured the appointment. In the face of the very difficult nature of the navigation of the Giufcha, and the lengthened acquaintance Captain M'Kinnon and orew had with the river traffic the public generally thought that the board erred In appointing a total ttranger to perform snob, a diffioulfc duty, for the sake of £2 per month. The sequel ■hows that the board made a mistake, as slnoe- the steamer has changed hands she has been the subject of misadventure. The first acoident ooourred on the initial trip under the new command, when the cargo derrlok broke through being overloaded • and last week, while coming down the river with a load of grain, the steamer ran on a rock and so damaged her bottom that the cargo had to be put ashore, and the steamer now lies at Eaitangata undergoing renalr* The intention of the Biver Board fo keep the Matau constantly plying on the river is a very good one, and when not engaged carrying oargo it is intended to keep the steamer at work removing snags and in other ways improving the navigation? PS 1 ? 1^ IGH s°HOOL.-ours °HOOL.-our school has been 3hS?i&?H. rt ft f & dißt JrloJ rIo , t h! * h • oho ° 1 ' to take effect after the holidays, and In the meantime the head master, Mr Pope, has received notioe that he will require to qualify for certificate O in two years' time ; and the first assistant, Mr J. H. Mathe*on h m r £ oe^ edthreemontn8 ' notlce toat his services w , 1 , 1^^ I P en n ied wlfch - Mia ob«ng» In the staff will be that a first assistant qualified to teaoh extra subjeots will be appointed, and probably a second assistant, or two pupil teachers. The parents generally are indignant at the action of the Education Board, and naturally consider that If anyone should

be qualified to take the upper work of the high school, that person should be the rector. The opinion is therefore pretty freely expressed that it would be a fairer proceeding to terminate the services of the whole staff, and reappoint such of them as are qualified to fill the positions. Lawn Tennis— The Balclutha Tennis Club opened the green for the season's play on Saturday afternoon, when there was a good turn out of lovers of the " genteel game." The green was in very good order, and play was frealy indulged in all afternoon. A very agreeable diversion was made by the ladies preparing afternoon tea. which was handed round among the players and visitors. There is a good stroDg club here, and Mr H. J. Day is president. The first match of the season will be played next Saturday. The bowling green is not fit to play on yet, through having been too heavily top-dressed during the winter, so that the companion game to tennis is held in abeyance in the meantime. Dramatic— The local dramatio society repeated "She btoops to Conquer" in Barr's Hall on Friday night, when a very fair and thoroughly appreciative audience turi,ed out to witness the play, whioh passed off in good style throughout. On Saturday night the society held a meeting to discuss the position, consequent upon the resignation of the president (Mr O. B. Thomson), and the election of a stage manager consequent upon the removal of Mr J. A. Algie to Kaitangata. The result was that Mr H. J. Day was eleoted president ; Mr W. H. Tait, stage manager ; and Mr J. S. Montgomery, secretary. Feeding.— Tho residents of Balolutha are nob necessarily a hungry people; but at the present time banqueting and feasting are the order of the day. On Wednesday night a grand banquet will be given to Mr T. Maokenzie, M.H.R. Mr J. Dunne, proprietor of the Crown Hotel has had extensive alterations made for the occasion. The dining room has been nearly doubled in size, and a movable partition placed between the dining and billiard rooms, so that about 300 persons oan sit down to the banquet. Several leading members of the Opposition are expected, and the Balolutha Brass Band will meet them at the railway station and escort them to the Crown Hotel.— The Salvation Army had a coffee supper on Saturday night, the Presbyterians their annual soiree on the previous Tuesday, and the Wesleyans have a spread on the 6th prox. Thb Light Fantastic— The one form of dissipation indulged in by old and young alike in the Olutha distriot generally Is dancing. In various places the bachelors have Invited the spinsters to a dance, and the spinsters have returned the oomplimen r <. Then the benedicts have invited both baobelors and spinsters, and so the ball goes round. Variety has been thrown In by way of fanoy dress balls, and one of this order whioh comes off in Balclutha on Friday night ia looked forward to with interest.