MIDDLEMARCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 30

MIDDLEMARCH.

May , 4 —The- leap year ball given by tn« spins teis of .Middlemarcb was held on Friday night, the '24th, at Webb's Hall. The ball was ve^ prettily decorated with evergreens And taste--fully,drapea with pink and pale green draping, which presented a most inviting appearance. About 50 couples tobk part in the grand march. The committee worked very hard, and I am aura they left nothing undone to make the ball a most enjoyable affair, which it most certainly was. Messrs M 'Donald and Clark made efficient M C.'a. Hinuiiel Brothers supplied the music, which is always a' treat in itself. Everything passed off very quietly, $nd the spinsters deserve to be heartily*, congratulated 'on the great success of their ball.

School Committee. The meeting of householders in the Strath Taieri district was held in the 1 schoolhouse on Monday evening. The^. members of tho committee present wer« Messrs M'Lay, Hay, Mu°on, Robertson, and M' Donald. Th»re w»8 a very poor attendance of householders. Th. chaii was taken by Mr Hay Tha outgdug committee's repoft and balance sheet were read by the retiring chairman, Mr M.'Lay, and adopted. The report contained a Bynoptis of the year's work, which was deemed very tati* factory The expenditure for the past year was not as heavy as usual, so that tho retiring committee have a credit balance of £14 to hand over to their successors. The business of electing a committee for the ensuing year was then proceeded with About a dozen names were mentioned, but a number of Jthose proposed having declined, the following eenttomen were declared duly elected :— Messrs M'DonaW, Maaon,.Robertson, Hill, Atkinson, and M'Clintook. The "new committee met on Friday, May 1, when Mr F. Atkinson was elected chairman, Mr Mason secretary, and Mr George M*Donald trea»urer. Bicycling.— The lat-st excitement here was a . bicycle paradn, which took place on Saturday night. About 20 riders took part in thaproceg. sion, < a«'h rider having the accis-orrof a Chinese lantern. The effect was very pretty, and helped to brighten up our dull t wnship Doo Trial —The dog trial held on Thursday and Friday at the Six-mile was a pronounced success. Doubtless the secretary will forward particulars to the Witness, so I need not enter into details.

Weather.— We have had -very unsettled weather bore l<*t«ly. It has not neglected to give us timely notice that winter is at hand. We have had several frosts already. Stock Sale —The Farmers' Agency held their ueual monthly sale on Thursday, the 23rd ult,, when there was a decided improvement in the priceof stock.