ANDERSON'S BAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 23

ANDERSON'S BAT.

July 31.— The concert in aid of the Building Fund of Sb. Michael's Church, which was held in the Volunteer Hall on Wednesday evening last, was an unqualified success. The hall was beautifully decorated, the members of the Ladies' Committee having gone to no end of trouble. The result must have been most gratifying to them. The hall has not, I think, been so well filled since the opening performance. The concert was much above the average of our local entertainments, and the audience was most appreciative, almost every item being encored. Mutual.— Thursday night was a blank. On Thursday next Mr Barmby is to read a paper, " An Evening with the Poets," and on the following Thursday the Rev. Mr Saunders is to favour us with a lecture. Last year the reverend gentleman gave us a most interesting lecture on John Ruskm." He will doubtless be equally interesting this year. Ferry. — The suction dredge has again started work in the basin. The material is lifted in one part of the.basin and deposited a few feet distant in another-part of the basin. It is a queer performance. Possibly the directors or the engineer have some object in view, but to an outsider the whole proceeding appears to be an entirely senseless waste of time and money —muchlike Simple Simon trying to carry water in a sieve. Cemetery.— The improvements are now fairly complete. A considerable area hasjbeen levelled, covered with clay and soil, and sown down in grass, and 200 macrocarpas have been planted along the southern boundary. School Examinations.— The annual inspection is over— a two days' performance by Messrs Goyen and Richardson. I understand the technicalities of grammar and arithmetic are the two subjects which have received very special attention during the inspection, the result not being considered satisfactory. . The percentage of passes is not to be published in future— a very satisfactory conclusion. The local committee has never bevn exigent on the subject of these wretched percentages, the head teacher being allowed a free nand, and cramming for passes being discountenanced in every way. , Accident.— A painful accident happened to Mrs Eccles Crawford on Monday morning. She slipped and fell, breaking her ankle. Political.— Requisitions asking Mr Scobie Mackenzie to contest this seat at the next generalelection are being circulated through the district, and are being very freely signed. If Mr Mvskenzje will consent to leave Waihemo and contest thiß seat he will have little difficulty in disposing of the candidates already announced. There is a general feeling of satisfaction at the probability of obtaining him as our member.