BALCLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2076, 7 December 1893, Page 22

BALCLUTHA.

December 4. — The agricultural show last Thursday was an unqualified success. The society having made satisfactra-y arrangements with the borough council, the show was held on the new domain clo-e to the township and the railway station. No better place could have been chosen for a show ground, and f;ll of tho people who attended it expies-s the opinion that the new ground is in every respect far and away before the old one aero s the river. Those who had stock and implements at the show endorf-e that opinion, as the traffic bridge, with the block of traflic incidental to show day, was an undesirable oh tac'e. 'Ihe agricultural show is the day of trie season for Balclutha, and when the day turns out wet the disappointment is great. Although it was rainy, thick, and misty till about 9 o'clock on the morning of the show, still it cleared away shortly after that and turned out a choice day— neither too hot nor too cold. During the afternoon there must have been about 3000 people on the grounds, which is a large number for a dibtrict like ours. As you will get a complete report of the show I need not say much about the exhibits, which were well up to the average. I hefrd the opinion expressed that it woul i be wise in the future to endeavour to amalgamate the Clutha and Milton shows, as there are too niauy small shows in the country dist ricts The principal purpose of a show should be to enable stockownirs to make comparison between the different classes exhibited, with the iew to improving stock all round. And at these shows we expect to see the latest improvements in agricultural implements. In order to effect this purpose the bigger the show the better the chance. Clutha is a convenient centre for a large district, and could quite well include Milton and Waitahuna.

The Ge&eral Election.— We had a mild excitement on the evening of the general election. All day there was a suppressed excitement, and

in the feelings of a great many of the electors there were doubts as to the result of the election for Clutha. In an address in Barr's Hall on the Friday preceding the election Air Mackenzie so seriously offended the publican party who had previously been working for him that they imj mediately set to woik against him. Mr Brugh did not speak here till the night before the election, and he created such a favourable impression by his manly, outspoken address that a strong reaction favourable to him set in among a great many of Mr Mackenzie's erstwhile supporters. All day long Mr Brugh's name was freely mentioned as the coming man ; and the sitting member could not have felt too secure of his seat till the numbers were up for Balclutha. A great many here look upon Mr Brugh as a coming young New Zealander who will give a good account of himself at next election, for he has declared his intention of trying again. Church Bazvaii. — The Catholics have held a most successful bazaar in connection with their church. On show day they took over £60, and the next day £45. The bazaar was kept going till late on Saturday night, and the total proceeds are estimated at about £150, which is far above the most sanguine estimate. The several stalls were ornamented with some of tho most beautiful work that has ever beenseen inßalclutha. Many of the articles came from the convent schools of other places, and without exception these schools turn out fancy work such as no other schools in ihe colony can approach. There is one thing about the Catholic Church that this bazaar has helped to demonstrate, and that is a commendable spirit of active co-operation, not only among the individual workers at the bazaar, but among the church membership generally, as contributors to this bazaar have come from far and near. No other denomination would sink all class feeling and work together with hearty goodwill towards a common aim to such an extent ; and in this particular the Catholics have shown an example that other denominations would do well to emulate. The bazaar finished up wiih an auction sale on Saturday night, and those who failed to secure prizes in the lotteries consoled themselves with making cheap purchases.