LUMSDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2207, 18 June 1896, Page 25

LUMSDEN.

June 16.— We are enjoying the finest winter weather so far -no snow, except on the hilltops, clear, frosty nights, with dry, sunny days ; just the kind of weather to pub heart into all who have outdoor work to perform, especially the 'farmers.

Agricultukal.— Things are booming in this direction— land bought and land wrought, with high hopBS for the coming season, favourable prospects in the way of good returns in quantity and quality, and first-class prices. So mote it be. Pastoral — Tnings under this he*diug geem to be going along smoothly. The mild winter is greatly in favour of sheep and all outside stock, seeing that the turnip crop has been almoßt a complete failure and that pasture feed is very scarce. Bunny. — General poisoning has not yet commenced in this dirtrict. When it does poor bunny will hays a warm time of it. I hear that the rabbits are scarce this season, and I fail to see how they could be otbei wise with all the implements of death that are devised and set in motion for their destruction, M LS..— A public meeting was held in the Masonic" EMI on Wednesday evening last for ths purpose of ~ conslderingtne adv sability of opening a mutual improvement society. There were about 30 present, and the Rev. James Blaokie being voted to the chair, explained the purpose for which the meeting was called, and after several members of both sexes had spoken on the subject it w*b decided that a society be formed, to be called the Lumsden Mutual Improvement Society. The eloction of officers was then proceeded with, with the resulr, that Mr J. O. Mfcenzle is president and Mrs M'Fetridge vlce-p'resident, with a strong committee of management, including members of the gentle sex, and everything augurs well for a sucoesiful eea&on.

Oddfellows.— The Oddfellows Lodge is getting along more smoothly financially now. lam given to understand that the contributions hove Deen increased, co that the management fund is now self-supporting, and the other funds in connection'with the lodge will very shortly right themselveß.

Good Templars. — This lodge is, I hear, in i rather a disturbed state at present, mainly in j connection with a case heard last court-day ' against an ex-hotelkeepor. Two charge* were laid, but for vc&nt of sufficient evidence both were dismissed. While on this subject I may state that last Monday (Bth) was a red-letter day in court matters here, the S.M. sitting from half-past 10 a.m. to half-past 9 at night (with two short intervals for lnnoh and tea) hearing cases adjourned i from -the previous court day. I envy not the j magietrate's billot on suoh occasions as these. j Political. -- Parliamentary doings are being carefully watched by the electors of this district, and the coming election is freely talked about. The electors here are determined to return a man worthy of the confidence reposed in him— oiia who shall have a mind of his own, and Who will stick to bin opinions regardless of party favours. We will stand no more tinkering novices at law-making, but must have a firat-class journey- • man who understands his work and is not afraid j of plenty of it. The so-called Liberals »nd Labour ■ membeis are all very good iv their tlnpot WHy, but we, the inhabitants of thia highly favoured country, demand and must have trustworthy , representatives returned to our Parliaments— men who will not ignore the pauper ior the millionaire, , or the capitalist for the labourer. What would ; be the good of labour if all the capital were to be driven out of the country, or even locked up in , the country? Therefore iet the capitalist have every opportunity of turning over his coin legiti- , mately and for the good of all whom it may i concern.

Football.- Our team have played two matches this season —drawing one with Riversdale and winning the other from "Winton by 9 points to 3. It w»a said by expert ex-players 'that the Lums-den-Winton match wag the best contested country match they had peon for many aday. Thenextmatch is with the Waikaia team n«xt Wednesday, the 17th, at Rivtiwdalo, and although our ranks are weakened by one of our best players leaviug the district and one or two other withdrawals from the team, yet as heretofore I have every confidence in our boys, and have no doubt they will givo a good account of themselves. Mr W. Purdue, our crack player at five-eighths, has gone to f ieah fields, and I am sure the boys will sorely miBB him on Wednesday. Mr Purdue was tendered a social on Wednesday evening last, and it wai a pronounced success. About o'j turned up, and a most vleswant evening was passed in aong and sentiment. All present were unanimous in their expressions of appreciation of Mr Purdue's genial manner, and all wished him and his young bride every success and happiness in their new home.