DIPTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2046, 11 May 1893, Page 22

DIPTON.

May B.— We have had a long spell of splendid dry weather, which has been most favourable to grain threshing, and which has been taken full advantage of by the only mill we have had in the district for the past fortnight (Mr Walker's). It proved too dry for some, as they could net get sufficient water for the threshing mill. However, we have had a break in the weather, rain having fallen more or less for the past three days, and another mill has appeared on the scene. The roads are in splendid condition for grain carting, and the river is lower than it has been known to be for a number of years past. School Matters.— At the householders meeting the following gentlemen were elected a school committee for the ensuing year : — Messrs Nathaniel M'Curdy, Robert Ross, William Campbell, William Watt, James Burgess, George Conley, and W. H. Whitaker. At a meeting of committee held afterwards, Mr W. H. Whitaker was elected chairman for the year. The old committee presented their late mistress, who is now Mrs Blackie, with a silver butter dish and a teapot, and her late pupils have presented her with a china tea set. Miss Scott, her successor, is giving much satisfaction, and seems determined to keep up the good reputation this Bchool has achieved. The Sunday school pupils presented their late teacher (Mrs Blackie) with a silver table gong suitably insoribed. _, , . Ecclesiastical.— The Rev. Mr Morrison has filledlhe pulpit here for the last two Sundays. It was understood, we. were to have a Mr Kiad, iwm

Tasmania, but through some cause he did not arrive, and I hear we are now to have a Mr Grant. Changes are no doubt lightsome, but surely it is getting time that something definite was done. We are to have the annual soiree in connection with the church on the 30th inst., and the ladies of the district are bestirring themselves in the matter. A meeting of those favourable to the forming of a debating society was held in the Public Hall on the 2nd inst. Mr R. B. Ross, convener of the meeting, was voted to the chair, and addressed the meeting on the advantages of such a society, he being followed by the Rev. Mr Morrison. Both speakers were listened to attentively, and afterwards some 20 enrolled themselves as members, including six ladies. The following gentlemen were elected a working committee :— Messrs K. B. Ross, L.Dymock, F. Ross, W. Campbell, J. Gray, N M'Curdy, W. P. Whitaker, S. Mmcher and Robert Ross. Songs and musical selections brought a very pleasant meeting to a close. On the 4th inst. the managing 95 mmit * ce re r c met and elected John Gray as president, W. Campbell as vice-president, and R. B. Koss as secretary and treasurer. The society is to be known as the Dipton Mutual Improvement Society, and a set of rules were drafted for its future guidance. The next meeting will be held in the public hall on the evening of Tuesday next, and a good programme is in course of preparation. The membership for gentlemen is Is per annum, ladies free, so that cost should not stand m the way of a good membership roll, and I have no doubt but the society will give a good account of itself in the future.