GORE

Otago Witness, Issue 2009, 25 August 1892, Page 20

GORE

August 22.— A well-attended meeting of the Gore Farmers' Club was held on Saturday afternoon when the small bird nuisance, the Sheep Act, &c, were under consideration. The club recently resolved not to repe»t the process of spending its funds for tho public good, and con« sequently declined to apply for the Southland,

County Council's offer of a pound for pound subSidy for the destruction of sparrows. In some parts of_ the district, considerable amount of damage is done annually, one speaker pointing out that a few years ago the vermin were contented to destroy the headlands and hedge sides, but now when disturbed there they make the attack in the middle of the fields, and a proposal was made that the compulsory clauses of the act should beenforced. Inconsideiution, however, that the Knapdale Road Board had ordered a quantity of poison for distribution in that district, no further action was thought necessary. Mr F. Milne gave notice of motion for next meeting — " That the president of the club call a meeting of the ratepayers of the district to consider the advisability of the creation of a new county, with headquarters at Gore," and gave reasons in the direction of economy, Ac. The amendments of the Stock Act were down for discussion, but the bill having been suddenly withdrawn, nothing further was done than a general expression of opinion in favour of the amendments proposed by the executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, such as (1) the compulsory dipping of all sheep by a certain date ; (2) wool-branding being indispensable ; (3) the hours of driving not to be limited to a minute by any act, and (4) that so long as sheep are taxed— a tax used for the suppression of rabbits — there is no reason why in justice cattle should not be rated as well. The meeting agreed with a unanimous vote, bar one, to subscribe towards the payment of a secretary for the Farmers' Union, Mr M'Queen proposing, and Mr F. Milne seconding, the resolution. A. lively discussion ensued on the programme of the New Zealand Farmers' and Settlers' League, copies of which had been circulated by the secretary (Mr D. Dun). The Chairman (Mr Bell, of Wantwood), pointed out the main principles of the league's intentions, the higher rate of interest on mortgages paid in New Zealand than on similar securities in Australia, charitable aid being unduly laid on land, the impression in Britain that this colony was in abad way, and his opinion that new ideas of land taxation were not calculated to re-instate feelings of security, &c, <fee. MrF. Milne moved — "That the club declines to assist the league," and spoke at considerable length on matters of agricultural and political economy. Mr Dodds seconded the motion, and treated the quietly thinning audience to some 20 minutes of a diatribe in favour of things as they are in such places as the United I States, marshalling his statements, general and personal, like a funeral procession. Mr M'Queen spoke in favour of the general principles, but as train time had arrived the matter was adjourned till next meeting.

August 23. — A most amusing placard is now being posted up about the town by a local celebrity named Staples, who announces himself as a candidate at the next election for mayor of this town. He states that he is the " working man's friend," but why he should single out the working man as his friend I fail to see, without it is that he is often to bo seen with a goodly number around him at his usual house of call," and it must have been during these convivial moments that some local wag has induced him to come forward for mayoral honours. He certainly gives our present mayor a nasty "rub" when he states he intends to secure the construction of the Gore traffic bridge across the Mataura, as, so far, it appears as if the mayor had almost let it pass from his memory, although the promise of this being done helped to secure him his re-election.

The Late Fancy Dress Ball.— As Mrs Brown would say, a regular " rumpus" has been created over this affair byagentleman writing to oneof our local papers, the Southern Standard, who heads his letter " Scribimus Indocti Docliijuc," interspersed with many other quotations from the ancient language. [This_ "prodigious " Latin heading should alone be sufficient to knock any ordinary editor clean out of his editorial chair, but when this same gentleman gives his victim what would bo called m colonial phrase a thorough good " lambing down" for daring to publish a letter signed " Buttercup," which gave a full account with the names of all the ladies and gentlemen in costume at this exclusively private ball, I do not wonder at the editor quaking with fear, and I myself begin to feel as if I had acted the part of a second Peeping Tom, as I had the audacity to send you a glowing account of this ball. Little did I imagine that the sword of Dapiocles was to descend so quickly upon the head of "poor little 'Buttercup,'" or I should never have dared to have sent you one word about this very exclusive meeting, at which many of our local tradesppople had the honour of being present. Next time I hiar

" Sounds of revelry by night," I shall make it my business to " skedaddle " away from them as quickly as possible, in case I might be tempted to send you a, report of such "gay and festive" scenes, and thereby get myself disliked by the ladies. But what will the ladies say if in future all these gay doings are to be kept dark and silent ?

Gore Racing Club. — The annual meeting of this club was held here last Thursday, Mr G. M. Bell presiding. The report and balance sheet read by the treasurer showed the finances of the club to be in a flourishing condition, and it was decided to hold an extra race meeting in November.

Horse Salk. — Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. held their usual monthly horse sale here on Thursday. I need not enter into particulars, as your commercial columns will no doubt give all necessary particulars. Mr Brewer also held his usual Saturday sale of horses in the bazaar. Really good draught horses sold well, but in many cases the reserves put upon them were far too high, therefore the greater number had to be parsed in.

Gori: Football Cluu.— This club brought their season to a close on Saturday last, when they played the Mataura team, and came off the victors. The Gore Club have had a most successful season, having played nine matches— won six, drawn one, and lost two — viz. :—: — Gore v. Clinton. — Gora winning by (3 points to 2. Gore v. Mataura.— Gore winning by 10 points to nil

Gore v. Clinton.— Gore winning by 12 points to nil.

Gore v. Tapanui. — Gore winning by 24 points to nil.

Gore v. Pirates. — Gore winning by 5 points to nil. Gore v. Mataura.— Gore lost by 2 points to nil. Gore v. Pirates.— Gore lost by 4 points to nil. Gore v. Mataura. — Drawn ; no score. Gore v. Mataura. — Gore winning by 6 points to "This shows Gore to be now a very strong team, and one which bids fair to take a leading position in Southland.

New Buildings. — Quite a number of new buildings are going up in various parts of the town, and I am informed that one local builder alone had, last week, no less than six applications for specifications from various persons who wish houses put up within the town boundary.

Weytiiek. — The "weather just now is simply beautif al, and has been so for some day's past — bright, clear, and warm sunshine during the day with frosts at night, and the farmers are making the most of it by getting all lands ready for their next crops. The trees are now beginning to bud, and the starlings and sparrows ;ire busy selecting their "claims" to re;u- up their future orogeny, and the usual street fights may now be witnessed amongst these pugnacious little rascals while se'ecting their mates.

Gold. — I was shown a beautiful specimen of gold on Friday last belonging to Mr F. M'Keime, ■who has just returned from the new Preservation Inlet diggings. This specimen must have containe'l many ounces of the precious metal, and a gentleman who saw it, and who was all through the Thames rush, said it surpassed any he ever saw fouml in that district. There is every probability of these new diggings turning out rich: still the gold is very "patchy," and the country is extremely rough, with dense, almost impenetrable bush, and most difficult to prospect, as there are no tracks. The climate is also very wet. There fire now about 100 men on these diggings, some doing fairly well, but it would be absurd to think of "rushing" the place, and no man should entertain the notion of going there without he lias at least LlO in his pockejb. A good store has been opened by Mr F. M'Kcnzie, ■who is supplying all requisites, such as stores, tools, &c, at moderate prices, but there are no j leaus of trau-it until a pack m<:k iocut through ihe bush. *